Audi A4 Part 1: Design Review

Audi has developed an enviable reputation for producing interiors that are - in many cases - the standard of the industry. The company has also come to be recognized as a leader in automotive exterior design. It's against these high expectations that the newest Audi A4 enters the market.

Following on the heels of the gorgeous A5 and S5, the A4 borrows several styling cues from its coupe siblings. From the front, for example, the A4 could easily be confused with either of the two-door models, with Audi's single frame grille and signature LED running lights creating an equally menacing face. But in actuality, this four-door sedan doesn't share a single body panel with either of the coupes.

Some have criticized the A4 for looking too much like a four-door version of the gorgeous S5 and A5 coupes. But that's like knocking the younger sister of Megan Fox for looking too much like her movie-star sibling. I guess you just can't please some people.

There is a strong family resemblance - both cars being based on the same B8 chassis - but surely that can only be seen as a good thing.

In side view, the A4 is it's own creature, with a wheelbase that has been lengthened by over six inches compared to the previous model thanks to Audi's Modular Longitudinal Platform. With its overall length up a more moderate 4.6 inches, the resulting shorter front overhang improves the Audi sedan's proportions considerably, helping the A4 look a class up compared to its predecessor.

Also helping the A4 look more sophisticated is the main character line that runs the length of the body side. Seemingly drawn in one simple line, it crests over the front fender flare, and into the front door, before softly dropping away through the rear door and into the taillight. This is in contrast with the main character line of the A5 and S5, which undulates seductively over both the front and rear fenders. The simpler execution on the A4 gives it a more elegant and mature demeanor, while still lending a dynamic touch - especially as it converges with the rising surface highlight of the lower body.

In rear view we have more familiar Audi shapes, mainly in the taillights and the gentle curve of the trunk lid. Here again, simplicity rules. There's a single exhaust outlet per side on the clean-looking, lower blacked-out graphic, as well as several horizontal lines that accentuate the increase in width of 2.1 inches over the previous A4.

The increased dimensions of its new body have yielded several advantages for the A4. Aerodynamically, the car's extra length and reduced overhang, as well as its clean surfacing, have helped it achieve a coefficient of drag figure of 0.28. But perhaps more importantly, from an aesthetics point of view, the longer and wider A4 has improved proportions that are more befitting its premium status. Yep, it's another design hit for Audi.

Watch the video
Read Part 2: Interior & User Experience
Read Part 3: Performance

Audi A4

Performance
- Acceleration: Adequate to be sure, but competitors with larger engines and/or turbochargers leave it behind
- Handling: Rear-biased Quattro finally gives the A4 the handling dynamics to compete with the Bavarian class-leader
- Braking: Solid performance and excellent stability provided by all-wheel drive

Design
- Exterior: Conservative but great-looking - proportions vastly improved over predecessor
- Interior: Again, not a great leap forward, but still quite handsome

Utility
- Comfort: All the amenities you'd expect in a car at this price assure your comfort
- Space: Extra wheelbase of B8 chassis (along with increased width) affords the A4 with decent rear seat legroom for the first time ever

Safety
- Dynamics: The best way to survive an accident is to avoid it in the first place, and this new chassis, combined with the rear-biased Quattro AWD, will help you do just that
- Technology: It's all here, including all-wheel drive

Value
- Price: Base price is attractive, but "must-have" options quickly move the A4 into sticker shock territory
- Mileage: It's not all rosy when you're driving all four wheels, but direct injection does its part to keep the A4 near its competitors

Emotional Appeal
- Heart thumpin' factor: Great looking inside and out, but beyond that not exactly a pulse raising kind of car
- Fun to spank: Not especially, although it is fun to drive reasonably quickly... BIG difference

SPECIFICATIONS

Layout: Front engine / All-wheel drive
Engine: 3.2 liter, V6
Power (SAE): 265 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque: 243 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm
Gearbox: 6-speed automatic
Curb Weight: 3850 lbs.
0-60 mph: 5.9 sec.
1/4 mile: 14.3 @ 100 mph
Top Speed: 158 mph
Mileage: 18 city / 26 highway
Base Price: $40,400
Competitors: BMW 335i xDrive Sedan, Mercedes-Benz C350, Infiniti G37x AWD, Acura TL SH-AWD