Audi is ready to play.

[November Rain]

http://autospies.com/article/index.asp?articleId=3311

The E90 better be something really special.

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

If they offer a RWD S4, I'd have to consider one.

[The Roadstergal]

<img src=http://autospies.com/images/uploads/medium/A4040043.jpg>

:eek:

[AF]

I was pretty much counting on the redesign to look sweet enough to place an order on but now I am seriously rethinking it ... hopefully it will grow on me ...

I can admit that I finally like the new front end ... and this comes from someone who couldn't stand it months ago .... amazing how time allows you to get used to things and then like them.

I'll admit one more thing, when the 328Ci first came out I hated the M68 wheel !!! then I started to love it .... time heals all ugliness :p

[Staszek]

I dont like it at all, I like the current audi a4 better. This one looks oddly large but the front lights didnt grow with the dimensions, looks awkward.

[Bimmer4life]

Is that for real or is that grill really that huge. It looks funny to me. I like the E90 looks better. But my E46 even more. :)

[webguy330i]

http://www.hyundaiusa.com/Vehicles/Elantra/asset_upload_file28_1744.jpg

[solsurfr]

http://www.hyundaiusa.com/Vehicles/Elantra/asset_upload_file28_1744.jpg
:rofl:... my sentiments exactly

[Clewis]

When I was shopping, I thought the A4 had a bit nicer looking interior
than the E46. The difference was not enough, however, to sway me away
from the total package of the 330i.

Comparing the interior to the E90 is a completely different matter.
The difference probably would make me RUN to the A4. The E90
interior is absolute trash, IMHO.

I agree that the front end of the new A4 is a bit much, but I think
it would be easier to live with than the interior of the E90. :flush:

[Mr. The Edge]

http://autospies.com/article/index.asp?articleId=3311

The E90 better be something really special.


yes, they are really competing for the "which car is uglier" title now

[TLudwig]

WOW! It is striking to me how, if you don't focus on any one particular part, it appears that BMW and Audi are designing the E90 and new A4 from the same awful book (especially the front end). The proportions on both are just a bit off, and it makes them look very awkward. I have to say that I'm not impressed by either the E90 or new A4.

Also, I like Audi interiors except for that recessed center control area. It does not look good at all.

[TLudwig]

http://autospies.com/article/index.asp?articleId=3311

The E90 better be something really special.

If by "special" you mean short school bus special, then yes, I agree.

[Fast Bob]

After seeing these photos, I`m thinking that my next BMW just might be an E-39 M5....

Regards,
Bob

[kurichan]

If they offer a RWD S4, I'd have to consider one.You prefer RWD over AWD? The S4 is already AWD. Why would they delete the advantages of AWD?

[kurichan]

How did they manage to fit every single ugly trend in car design into one model? The sedan is spectacular in the worst sense of the word.

The only feature I like is the rear tail lamps, but unfortunately, they are totally out of place on this car. They should save those lamps for the A8 where they look great.

But hold the presses... The wagon ain't bad...

[RandyB]

Audi is just so bland. I mean their designs are solid fundamentally, but they are just so conservative and lifeless, almost Honda-like. :dunno:

The E90 is MUCH better looking, with a lot more excitement going on with the surface.

Just my $.02 of course.

[Fzara2000]

One ugly car.

It's too bad you guys didn't notice one huge problem with the interior of the car-the shifter. It seems like you all take it for granted that the Manual mode of the automatic trans (for the auto drivers :thumbup: ) is always on the left side. Apparently on the Infiniti FX35...and now on this...the driver has to reach even further to the right to switch gears.

IMHO stupid decision. It would have been a much better design to have the gear shifter closer to the driver when in high performance shifting. :eek:

[armaq]

You prefer RWD over AWD? The S4 is already AWD. Why would they delete the advantages of AWD?

I do. Especially in Houston. But I miss the snow too

[TLudwig]

You prefer RWD over AWD? The S4 is already AWD. Why would they delete the advantages of AWD?

Take away snow (we don't get too much here in Houston), and I'd much prefer RWD as well. It adds a lot of weight and really makes the car feel sluggish (at least with the current engine).

[dorkus]

hmmm...

<img src="http://dorkus.net/pics/misc/a4.jpg"><img src="http://dorkus.net/pics/misc/civic.jpg">

:eeps:

[RandyB]

See what I mean? It looks better than a Civic though, but not much.

I guess if you like Audis designs to begin with, then this is more of the same. But I have always thought they were a bit too conservative. They do make nice cars though - no disputing that.

[dorkus]

I guess if you like Audis designs to begin with, then this is more of the same. But I have always thought they were a bit too conservative. They do make nice cars though - no disputing that.

when you consider that the previous-gen A4 design came out in, what, 1995; looked groundbreaking at the time; and still looks great to this day (particularly the S4 variants); then this one is very lame to say the least. it took me a while to warm up to the current A4 redesign but i like it quite a bit now. this one loses the stocky look which has made the A4 so distinctive and charming in its own right for so many years... loses the efficient, tightly-wrapped, potent look. as someone else said, it looks like it's having a size/identity crisis - am i a luxury compact or a wannabe midsize? veyr generic and washed out... big :thumbdwn: IMHO. the upcoming A3 looks far, far better.

[olmy]

It’s a very “safe” re-design, with a nice interior (except for the non-sporting, large four-spoke steering wheel) and is also very dull.

Okay, it’s a little premature to evaluate the driving capabilities, but I predict this car, like current Acura sedans, will be more for passengers than pilots. High weight does not a great driver’s cars make.

Like Honda/Acura, Audi is a great company that can do better, but for some reason does not choose to do so.

[imokruok]

I like the E90 pics much better. Some of the comparisons made on this thread with other cars are right on. There are some lines in this sedan that look way too much like a Civic. I even see a little bit of the Maxima in the side view. Front end looks like it took part of the styling from the grille of the Chrysler 300.

[elmalloc]

Where'st he convertible?

[RandyB]

I like the E90 pics much better. Some of the comparisons made on this thread with other cars are right on. There are some lines in this sedan that look way too much like a Civic. I even see a little bit of the Maxima in the side view. Front end looks like it took part of the styling from the grille of the Chrysler 300.

That's funny that you reference the Chrysler 300. I was thinking the same thing with that front grille, but also the proportions of the body as well. The height of the doors where they meet with the windows seem tallish like the 300.

I guess the E60 is similar in that regard, but they do a better job disguising it by breaking up the door surface with the crease that runs down the side above the door handles, along with another one near the bottom of the door. Audi does the same, but it doesn't seem to work as well.

I'm just nit-picking a little. It's not that bad. I like the direction BMW is heading a lot better though. Maybe Bangle isn't such a bad guy afterall... :dunno: :)

[cantona7]

Wow. I've never thought much of Audi's styling (too bland for me), but this is one UGLY car. The E90 now looks great to me--Thanks, Audi. Even the interior of the car--and I've always loved Audi interiors--looks cheap, bland and plasticky. I can't find anything to like in this thing. Ugh.

[inline6]

Yikes that is ugly. I've always thought of Audis as boring looking bubble cars. This one is no exception. I don't even think my grandmother would want to be seen in that thing. :yikes:

[AF]

Not sure why this thread is still in the 3 series board

But anyway, why didn't Audi just make a smaller version of this :dunno:...

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/firstdrive/2005/audi.a6/05.audi.a6.f34.500.jpg

[Fzara2000]

:eeps:

[The Roadstergal]

The E90 is MUCH better looking, with a lot more excitement going on with the surface.

:stupid:

The only thing I don't like about the E90 is, ironically, the Audi-like grille, and it's merely odd, rather than odious, like the Audi version.

[philippek]

You prefer RWD over AWD? The S4 is already AWD. Why would they delete the advantages of AWD?

In this part of the world I don't see how AWD is an advantage at all. More weight (and over the front axle), greater complexity, reduced fuel economy and vicious understeer. Even the sweet V8 in the S4 can't overcome those kind of chassis dynamics.

[Roadhawk]

I with those who prefer the current model (and I feel the same way about most of the BMWs comming out of late - incl what I've seen of the E90 versus E46). Yeah - the huge Audi front grill - no good (not on a small car IMO). However I'm one who thinks that current A4 is a very sharp looking car - it really is. And the E46 is as well - but I must say - the E46 is much closer in looks to a civic then the Audi - and I think Honda meant it that way. I once say a civic and an E46 (both sedans...but works with coups as well I think)next to each other in a parking lot - and I was thinking "seperated at birth" - really. Sure the BMW looks better - but Honda definatly copied the Bimmer's lines - big time. Take a look sometime (though Honda redesigns the Civic every 2 years or so it seems - so you have to get the right one). The real question though between Audi & BMW is performance and features. I think both (A4 & 3 series) are great (and nice looking) cars - each with their own strenghts and weaknesses. In general I tend to perfer the BMW performance and I like the RWD (lighter & nimbler car in general - at the base power levels...) - though Quattro is really fanatastic in the elements. Audi interiors and controls are simple first rate - though I am perfering some of the BMW controls (logic of, feel and placemet) over my Audi. And I must say - even though I do like & understand the window controls in the center consul - ultimatly I prefer the ones on the door....easier to raise and lower all windows at once (bottons are close together) and I can operate them by feel easier - I'm always mixing my two passenger side controls. I like the seats on both cars - not sure if I have a prefernce (though I have adjustable lumbar support on my S4 - which is nice - but heated seats only on the BMW...wish I had both on both! - certainly an options. Both seats are comfortable for me and grip well.

Sorry to go on about these compos in various threads - but having just aquired a ZHP - after (and still) owning a B5 S4 - I keep comparing & contrasting...and well...I love both!