Premium sedans are rapidly becoming the automotive equivalent of upmarket MP3 players: The manufacturers who make 'em are embroiled in a battle of quick-fire model cycles strongly reminiscent of Apple's release of relentlessly updated iPod variants. Indeed, it increasingly feels that the paint barely gets a chance to dry on a new model or a major refresh before a slightly improved version hits the market.
Exhibit "A" being, of course, Audi's new A4, arriving barely three years after the previous-generation model had a heavy reworking, which involved new sheetmetal and a completely different front end. Now, in response to the new Mercedes C-class and still fresh E90 BMW 3-series (which itself gets called in for a nip-and-tuck early next year), Audi is launching a completely new A4...
Great review, kind of disappointed that it isn't a better car (which isn't to say it isn't great). And as for iPods... Apple went 3 years without a major change. That's decades in tech terms.
Is there any particular reason why Audi hasn't seen fit to put the 3.6 V6 in any of their cars? It seems odd that the Passat gets it but the higher-end doesn't.
Anyway, the B8 looks good. It looks much trimmer and less cutesy than the B7.
Maybe because the 3.6 is based off of the old 3.2 cast iron VR6 engine(?).
Chernaudi(Cher 'n' Audi):
Fan of Cher and Audi
Also a fan of: Within Temptation Q: The only thing more emotive and piercing than the sound of V12 supercar engine? A: The voice of Sharon den Adel(lead singer of WT)
"no one's ever going to write, "Oh, she's actually just a pretty f---in' average chick who really loves what she does." That's not gonna happen."-Kristen Stewart
The author gives the impression that the A4 is debuting in early 08. As this is a mostly American market does that apply to us readers or readers abroad? I haven't heard anything about the B8 arriving in the states until this time next year.
Look twice, save a life. Motorcycles are everywhere.
If you think the Subaru Impreza hatch is ugly in pictures, see it in real life. I thought it was disgusting, then I sat in one and played with the bells and whistles. Loved it.
The Audi chassis engineer spoke to a British magazine (I think Car Magazine). The Audi feel was deliberatly tuned into the handling. The engineer said he wasn't too pleased about it, b/c the chassis has a lot more potential. The marketing people wanted it that way. They said to make Audi drivers feel at home in the new car. But I suspect they are sandbagging the basic version to make future chassis options seem more attractive. Such as the torque vectoring Quattro, and the Magnetic ride dampers.
Maybe because the 3.6 is based off of the old 3.2 cast iron VR6 engine(?).
I thought the new 3.6 liter Vr6 was a narrower 11 degree angle than the 15" old motor, as well as being all aluminum.
The VR6 was also designed to be transverse motor, though it sits longitudinally in the base Cayenne and Tuareg. Maybe it doesnt fit under the small Audi's hood?
But I suspect they are sandbagging the basic version to make future chassis options seem more attractive. Such as the torque vectoring Quattro, and the Magnetic ride dampers.
Any official word so far that the B8 A4 will be getting Magnetic Ride?
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I'm honestly asking - the reason people have a "weekend toy" is because they aren't suitable for daily driving. A Lotus Elise is a weekend toy because it wouldn't be comfortable to drive to work.
There is nothing about a A4 that would make it uncomfortable or inappropriate to drive every day. Which is how we get to the question at hand - why would you want a 4 door sedan as a weekend toy?
I'm honestly asking - the reason people have a "weekend toy" is because they aren't suitable for daily driving. A Lotus Elise is a weekend toy because it wouldn't be comfortable to drive to work.
There is nothing about a A4 that would make it uncomfortable or inappropriate to drive every day. Which is how we get to the question at hand - why would you want a 4 door sedan as a weekend toy?
Good point, taken.
I think in an effort to keep the mileage down (I commute 35 miles daily). Indeed the A4 would make a great daily driver, but id rather turn my mkiv into the daily beater.
The VR6 was also designed to be transverse motor, though it sits longitudinally in the base Cayenne and Tuareg. Maybe it doesnt fit under the small Audi's hood?
I'd say that might be likely... That, and isn't the Passat 3.6L 4motion Haldex? Maybe they're still trying to keep the A4's setup longitudinal.
I think in an effort to keep the mileage down (I commute 35 miles daily). Indeed the A4 would make a great daily driver, but id rather turn my mkiv into the daily beater.
I think in an effort to keep the mileage down (I commute 35 miles daily). Indeed the A4 would make a great daily driver, but id rather turn my mkiv into the daily beater.
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