2009 Audi A4 - First Drive

cpruitt submitted on 10/10/2007 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 12:25 PM
from: www.motortrend.com

Tags: 2009 Audi A4

2009 Audi A4

2009 Audi A4 - First Drive

There's no denying it -- Audi's smallest sedan is growing up. Stretched nearly five inches overall, more than two inches wider, and on a six-inch-longer wheelbase than the previous generation, the 2009 A4 is sneaking up on A6 dimensions (its wheelbase is only 1.3 inches shorter). This also makes it the largest in its class, nearly three inches longer than the all-new C-Class and seven longer than the 3 Series sedan. But with that increase in length and width and a minor reduction in height (it's now lower by less than 0.1 inch), the new model has a planted, sportier stance and holds the road with a new sense of confidence and enthusiasm.

Its new underpinnings are shared with the upcoming S5 and A5 coupes, and an A4 Avant will go on sale in the U.S. at the same time as the sedan, but that wagon won't be unveiled for another couple months. (The S5 goes on sale in November 2007, A5 in early 2008, and A4/A4 Avant by late 2008-but Europe gets the A4 nearly a full year before we do.) Like the A5/S5, the new A4 has sculpted lines, a more aggressive front end, and a row of LED daytime running lights underlining each headlamp. Audi also shortened the front overhang, helping the car look sportier despite the increased size. Thanks to the liberal use of ultra-high-strength steel, the body weighs 10 percent less than last year's, yet is more rigid. But the side view is rather familiar-time will tell if this redesign was too conservative, especially compared with the aggressive lines of the new C-Class. Read Article

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DaHarder - 10/10/2007 1:30:47 PM

+4 Boost

That front end is very handsome/distinctive...

Audi is certainly on the right track with this one.

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bmwdrvr - 10/10/2007 1:42:58 PM

-8 Boost

this looks way to much like the last one, at least the new 3, and c, are easily recognized as NEW, and dont look just like the cars they replace.

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DaHarder - 10/10/2007 2:06:32 PM

+6 Boost

Change for the sake of change is frivolously trendy (BMW 3/5 - Mercedes S/C-Class)...

Continued refinement of an already handsome theme is timeless. (Audi A4 - Cadillac CTS)

jeffy210 - 10/10/2007 2:45:00 PM

+6 Boost

I agree with DaHarder here, though I don't think the CTS has been around enough to warrant that. However look at the 911. Over the years it has been a gradual refinement, yet you can still clearly tell it is a 911. They aren't looking to create a whole new look.

TheSailor - 10/10/2007 3:16:53 PM

-2 Boost

The key difference here is that the 911 nailed it from the beginning and it's distintive looks is what drives the model... Innovation is what drives the A4... And the design wasn't a winner to begin with! It was kinda boring and the new one hasn't changed anything! They should have done something to the area around the C-pillar! That area have, imho, been an eyesore on the present A4!
People doesn't buy the A4 for looking like an A4... And if a new A4 looks exactly like the old one people won't feel as impelled to buy one!

S4cabriofoxone - 10/10/2007 7:09:34 PMView My AgentSpace

+5 Boost

"It was kinda boring and the new one hasn't changed anything!"

The old one was bland, yes, but I feel that they've perfected it in all the right places. The front is clearly more aggressive, the sides are more sculpted and the rear-end is more integrated. It makes for a hot new look that I think will turn a lot of heads, especially with those LEDs. People look for gimmicks like that.

TheSailor - 10/10/2007 7:26:00 PM

-1 Boost

I'm just not sure the head lights will be "gimmicky" enough... But I will agree that it is a step in the right direction... It's just not big enough IMHO... But maybe it is just me... I'd like every car maker to do the kind of radical changes BMW did to the E60 every time they make a new model... That is what makes cars interesting; new designs... Not old ones which have been refined... BMW had sort of gotten into the same groove aswell with their 90's models (E39, E46, E-whatever the 7-series was). But then they went radical with the 7-series and the 5-series! NICE!

jmrA480 - 10/10/2007 11:08:34 PM

+3 Boost

radical is not always good, the current lineup for BMW is a step back from there previous models looks wise. The previous M3 and M5 look so much much better then the new ones, the 5 series in general is horrible.

The only current model I like is the 3 series coupe, the sedan is horrible.

bmwdrvr - 10/11/2007 5:44:40 PM

-2 Boost

no change for the sake of change is an audi thing, otherwise why would they have that huge oversized grill UH ITS TRENDY THATS WHY.....what an excuse for the reason why i AUDI is scared to actually redo a car, this has to be the worst, the g35 looks like the old one but at least you can tell the 2 apart, the c class is conservative but looks great, and nothing like the car it replace, same goes for the 3 series....and change for change sake is something all companies do, if there were not true alot of innovations wouldnt exist because they would subsribe to the if its not broke dont fix it philosophy......try to use at least a shred of logic

S4cabriofoxone - 10/11/2007 11:10:04 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

"the g35 looks like the old one but at least you can tell the 2 apart"

If you can't tell this car from the old one then you must be blind.

bmwdrvr - 10/12/2007 8:46:48 AM

0 Boost

blind no, a car enthusiast that cares about these things can tell the difference, the average person is going to think they look just alike, to me they look just alike, it looks like it got a new front and rear, a midcycle refresh not a redo. and since this car has looked the same since what 2002, other than that front end, it needed more than this fearful fix

S4cabriofoxone - 10/13/2007 2:55:26 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

"to me they look just alike, it looks like it got a new front and rear, a midcycle refresh not a redo."

That's because the 2005 MID-CYCLE REFRESH LOOKED LIKE THIS!!! They made THAT one look like a redesign- and this is the evolution! I think it should've been the opposite, but whatever.

"and since this car has looked the same since what 2002, other than that front end, it needed more than this fearful fix"

2002 A4:

http://www.chooseyouritem.com/autos/photos/288500/
288517.2002.Audi.A4.jpg

If you think that one looks like the B8... wow...

S4cabriofoxone - 10/13/2007 2:56:43 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

And, let me just ask you something: what were you saying when the new X5 came out? It's SO similar to the B8 A4 redesign-- subtle evolution. However, both of them look much more modern and more stylish than the last generations. That cannot be denied. And I definitely don't want to hear excuses about the X5 redesign from you- that was even more cautious than the new A4 design. So, tell me, what were you saying then?

EL34 - 10/10/2007 1:59:53 PM

+4 Boost

I love this car.

Audi #1

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cs4444 - 10/10/2007 2:20:09 PM

-4 Boost

no audi #3, but anyway looks nice, the interior has the same look as every other audi, same story on the outside too.

Rupert - 10/10/2007 2:51:56 PMView My AgentSpace

+5 Boost

7 inches longer than the 3 series?
That's quite a difference...

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DaHarder - 10/10/2007 3:17:48 PM

+3 Boost

Yes it is, and it translates into a far more spacious interior... a good thing!

Place an E90 beside a Honda Civic if you really want a shock.

MBKing - 10/10/2007 2:56:36 PM

+1 Boost

I feel like if you didn't look hard enough you'd mistake this for the previous version. It looks great with the LED's but literally looks more of a refresh than a redesign. All in all it's a bad mamajama

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S4cabriofoxone - 10/10/2007 7:10:57 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

I think they took the B6/B7 refresh too far. The B6 did not need a fully redesigned front/rear fascia- just a nip/tuck. But I stand by my statement: they've perfected the B7's design with this one. I think it looks a LOT better.

Lemantech - 10/10/2007 8:05:32 PM

+2 Boost

only if you are extremely retarded would you have trouble spotting the differences.

Neverfollow - 10/11/2007 9:53:58 PM

+2 Boost

The car is huge next to the old body B7. Size is the main way you are going to notice the difference. There are also a lot more detail items, the most noticeable of which are probably going to be the LED headlights, but there are many others.

For all you BMW fans, what happened with the redesign of the X5? You can't tell me that was a radical departure from the previous generation!

No, they are not changing the grill on ANY Audi model anytime soon. Get over it.

Yes, they are looking for ways to build these cars for less money so they can still sell them here in the states and be competitive with the Asian brands. If that means I get an A6 interior in my A4/A5, so be it. I don't mind sharing a few parts with the more expensive models. The B5,B6,B7 A4s have been largely critcised by many on this site for sharing too many VW parts. This is clearly no longer the case.

What specifically would you all change? What would make you happy?

You wanted better handling.....done.
You wanted less VW parts sharing....done.
You wanted a more distinctive design statement..done.
You wanted better steering feel...done.
you wanted higher quality...done.

Did I leave anything out?

S4cabriofoxone - 10/13/2007 2:58:03 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Neverfollow, you DID forget something! The BADGE! It's not a BMW, so obviously, it sucks!

TheSailor - 10/10/2007 3:10:46 PM

-4 Boost

I'm sorry, but that is just an old A4 with some fancy head lights, an E92 aft part (read: carbon copy) and an A6 interior! This is a letdown to me! But then again, I never really found the "old" A4 that interesting and this is too darn close! I was expecting so much more after the beautiful A5... But at least it sounds like they've nailed the handling with their new modular platform... At least that is a good thing!

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S4cabriofoxone - 10/10/2007 7:14:29 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

I think you should wait until you should wait until you see it, for a few reasons:

• The new front-end looks a ton better- look at the shot right here, and compare it to this picure:

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/
2005/03/11/010071.1-lg.jpg

See how much more modern and sexy the new one is?

• Since when is having an A6 interior a bad thing? I agree that this theme is getting old- but most people don't know that, and it's not any different with the BMWs, either. The A4's interior looks beautiful... maybe even better than the A6's.

• This does NOT have "E92 copy" taillamps. NOBODY COPIED ANYONE. The B7 A4 had very similar lights- that came out two years before the E92. There was also the 2004 A8... which started the horizontal light trend. And the Q7, and the A6 Avant, A3 Sportback, LeMans Concept, Nuvolari Concept...

TheSailor - 10/11/2007 7:20:55 AM

-1 Boost

I still think it looks like the old one...

M35MT - 10/10/2007 3:16:59 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

I very much like the low 'crease' along the side car. Many auto makers have applied this to new designs, although its usually up at the door handles. I really like the new tailights.

This will mean a higher base price without a doubt...could it be that they are planning an A3 sedan for the US to fill the gap? Probably not.

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TheSailor - 10/10/2007 3:21:29 PM

-1 Boost

Keyword here: Bangle!

Flame surfacing and E92 coupe...

M35MT - 10/10/2007 3:32:00 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I do prefer the Audi's rear to the 3 coupe's. It also looks like it's 'wider', whereas today, most cars are getting 'taller' and fuller looking (VW Jetta syndrome)

S4cabriofoxone - 10/10/2007 7:15:18 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

THE AUDI LIGHTS CAME BEFORE THE BMW'S.

1995e34 - 10/10/2007 7:24:18 PM

+1 Boost

s4, i don't think he was refering to the lights as much as the expressive lines on the side. i first noticed it on the a6. they certainly didn't rob bmw, but i see an influence.

M35MT - 10/11/2007 8:08:51 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

S4, no need to shout...the smart ones here know very well that Audi is responsible for attractive styling trends in the industry. A 1996 A4 still looks good today (especially the interior).

david999 - 10/10/2007 4:40:52 PM

-3 Boost

Looks sleeker than the model it will replace. The grill has got to go though.

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1995e34 - 10/10/2007 4:56:58 PM

-1 Boost

it's ok. they played it safe.

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Threepoint1415926 - 10/10/2007 5:28:07 PM

+5 Boost

I like it, it's nice. I really like how Audi dresses their engine bays. Very mechanical rather than a piece of plastic covering everything.

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M35MT - 10/11/2007 8:10:00 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

very good point!

+booost

SixxFive - 10/10/2007 5:32:28 PM

-1 Boost

The new A4 - much too conservative of a "redesign"....

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Lemantech - 10/10/2007 8:07:30 PM

+3 Boost

what were you expecting...audi's have ALWAYS gone the conservative way and made subtle but beautiful changes....i think its much more of a classy car than its german counterparts

gsh23 - 10/10/2007 5:33:43 PM

0 Boost

high schoolers are gonna LOVE this car!

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monkeyrun - 10/10/2007 6:04:21 PM

+4 Boost

This will be my next car :)

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S4cabriofoxone - 10/10/2007 7:16:56 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Love it... beautiful, inside and out. The B7's design was getting so boring- but this fixes it in all the right places.

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lexusis350 - 10/11/2007 12:11:33 AM

+3 Boost

That's an A4!?!?! Very nice!

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lexusis350 - 10/11/2007 12:22:54 AM

+4 Boost

I have one complaint about it. "Audi's little sedan is growing up...the A4's sneaking up on A6 dimensions" I say keep your small cars small and your big cars big. Pretty soon, there's not going to be a difference in the A4 or A6.

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Rupert - 10/11/2007 11:45:00 AMView My AgentSpace

+5 Boost

That's business for you.

A Ford Mondeo is now as big as the old Ford Scorpio, which was the same size as a 5 series.
1 series fits in the same size bracket as the E30 3 series, and the current 5 series is about as big as a 80's 7 series.
Cars grow all the time, then newer models are brought in to undercut them. The too-big models get phased out (although this hasn't happened yet in the luxury market).

Rupert - 10/11/2007 11:46:45 AMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

Also just think of the 70's American mid size cars, which you could land aircraft on. Compare them to 80's mid size cars, which you couldn't.
GM made all of their cars about 2 feet shorter and a foot narrower in the late 70s. (because of the fuel crisis)

minimalist - 10/11/2007 1:44:46 AM

+2 Boost

audi offers some of the most fluid, natural designs found on vehicles which are timeless like the porsche. the 911 design is beautiful and hasnt drastically changed since its introduction due to its plain design inspired by natural objects such a stone. the body of the 911 actually resembles the body of a duck without the head. its just beautiful and fits into nature.

audi recently also brings this look to the table with its entire line. old a4 design were very boring and plain. beginning with the b6 (01+), it had a very soap bar look like the tt. plain and a very natural shape with equal proportions front to back. wind tempered like the 911. the b8 (08) has refined this look and its looks good.

the style is pleasing to the eye unlike current bmws even including the new 3 series sedan and coupe which have a polarizing effect. some days i love em; some days i wish for what could have made it... better.

i love the new a4 interior. i love the driver focused ergos and the buttons and toggle on the center console in addition to the higher level for the console. interior is just plain cool; cooler than either 3 series or c-class.

the b8 rs4 is going to be amazing and would likely be my choice as winner over the new m3 sedan and new c63 amg. saw the current black b7 rs4 again recently on the freeway and it reminds me of how beautiful it still looks. not outdated at all.

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Star - 10/11/2007 10:04:39 AM

-1 Boost

Disappointing. The car looks way to big for its class and the design is just plain vanilla. Not what I expected from Audi especially after the amazing photo-shops I've seen in the last months all over the Internet about the future look of the A4. Big disappointment.

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JUGNU - 10/11/2007 2:06:30 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

Just like the A5, plain and boring design.with a dated interior which is in every Audi ranging from A4 to Q7.

and don't call it a timeless,classic design...etc.It's not a 911 or mini.

Hell even jaguar is loosing the retro/same repeated look.

Sorry audi.R8 and newly refrshed A8 is nice but with this u completly went wrong.

JUGNU

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S4cabriofoxone - 10/11/2007 5:08:33 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

This is RETRO? LOL. Since when did a similar design from two years ago become retro?

Vintage! Wooooh!!!!

"Just like the A5, plain and boring design.with a dated interior which is in every Audi ranging from A4 to Q7."

The A5 is hotness. Look at this video of the A5 3.0TDI and S5 and tell me they're boring:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1346256264767311229&q=audi+S5&total=857&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=3
You can also watch the reviews pour in, saying the A4's interior is the best in its class... again.

amazinBimmer - 10/11/2007 3:09:43 PM

0 Boost

fwd car.. hahahah

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GermanNut - 10/11/2007 6:45:59 PM

+2 Boost

even funnier is this will be the car that puts Audi ahead of Mecedes in worldwide sales...LOL.

Audi doesn't even do a damn thing to the new A4 and Audi as a whole passes Mercedes in annual global sales.

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JUGNU - 10/12/2007 5:39:45 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

I didn't say A4 is retro. I said even companies known for retro designs like Jaguar are loosing it and going for new innovative, sexy and edgy look (reason because new revoltionary designs sells and are liked more) unlike Audi which is not changing atall.Keep evolving the existing plain and round designs (evolution).

Only revoltionary Audi design is R8 and u can see the praise it's recieving.

JUGNU

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S4cabriofoxone - 10/13/2007 2:59:46 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

"I said even companies known for retro designs like Jaguar are loosing it and going for new innovative, sexy and edgy look (reason because new revoltionary designs sells and are liked more) unlike Audi which is not changing atall."

Okay, I'm sick of this.

Look at this vehicle:

http://www.chooseyouritem.com/autos/photos/288500/
288517.2002.Audi.A4.jpg

That was only FIVE years ago. It doesn't look anything like the new A4. So please, just shut up already.

chrisburgos15 - 10/12/2007 5:50:55 AM

+3 Boost

some of you retards who say it looks like the old one are crazy, it looks so much different than the old model and you must be so blind not to see it..but im glad to see that SOME people here know the differences, and by the way IMO i was kinda expecting more from this a4, it looks a LITTLY bit similar to the a5 but despite that, i still LOVE it!

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amazinBimmer - 10/12/2007 1:30:42 PM

+1 Boost

german nut. a1 and a3's dont count. .Mercedes is a far superior company. Audi is nothing more than a fwd VW.. get you facts and perspectives right, Mr. used car salesman (thats embarassing!)

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bmwpowerf1 - 10/13/2007 4:10:01 AM

+1 Boost

this has e92 coupe features. especially the rear end

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S4cabriofoxone - 10/13/2007 12:23:49 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

2005 Audi A4:

http://www.weblogsinc.com/common/images/
8816026470413347.JPG?0.07787512558670961

2007 BMW 3 Series:

http://www.egmcartech.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/
2007_bmw_3_series_covertible_8.jpg

senorgato - 10/13/2007 4:36:03 AM

+1 Boost

Love the front-end and rear-end detailing. But the profile reminds me of an Impala..disturbing. Gotta say, though, that I'm in love with that interior. BMW and MB need to take note of it.

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deepwater - 10/13/2007 4:24:21 PM

+1 Boost

This is the first A4 designed as 4WD and not FWD.
Result: better weight ballance, better handling, better roominess.
BMW & MB never expected these kind of concept change at Audi.
Nice job in Ingolstadt.

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GermanNut - 10/13/2007 6:22:57 PM

0 Boost

AmazinBimmer, like the C-class is anything great. Mercedes must be oh so superior when their reliablity is absolutely terrible and their cars can't handle for their lives.

stop denying it, you know the whole FWD VW philosophy is going to surpass Merceds-Benz in annual worldwide sales within 3-4 years. Their prices are going to be equal to BMW within 4 years.

Look at the pricing of the Audi R8 and A5 they are more expensive than the respective BMW M6 and BMW 3-series coupe.

The clock is ticking and in 4 years time Audi will be number 2 in the worldwide premium sales race.

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LexSucks - 10/14/2007 2:44:41 PM

+1 Boost

Very nice car that's cursed with a relatively weak engines. I just can't seem to get excited about 265hp these days. Nice try Audi but you need to offer engines that offer competitive HP.

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Neverfollow - 10/18/2007 2:17:52 PM

+1 Boost

I don't agree! I believe we will see some improvement in the performance of the US 2.0T FSI motor mostly in the torque of the engine to offer something in the price range of a 328. The 3.2 FSI petrol motor is getting VVT for the first time and powers the car to a pretty respectable 0-60 time in under 6 sec. The S4 will do battle with the 335 with 355hp and 0-60 in under 5 sec. The biggest news will probably be the 3.0 TDI which will give performance simlar to the 335 BMW with even better fuel mileage. Yeah, I said it. The diesel will perform similar to the 335 with even better fuel mileage! When the RS4 arrives with probably 500+hp Audi should have the M3 fully cornered as well so what is missing? The only thing determining the performance of an A4 is your checkbook.

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