2009 Audi A4 will only be about one inch longer than the current
A4, although the longer wheelbase will make it appear to be a relatively bigger car. Front and rear overhang each decrease by nearly three inches. Thanks to its available next generation quattro all-wheel drive (rear-biased with a 40/60 split) and MLP architechture the new
Audi A4 will handle better than any of the previous generation A4s before it.
The new
Audi A4 will utilize Audi's up-and-coming MLP (Modular Longitudinal Platform) technology which will form the basis of not only the
Audi A4 and
A5, but the also soon-to-be-revealed
Q5 crossover
SUV, next-generation
A6, the as-yet-to-be-announced
A7 and even the next
A8. MLP allows
Audi to place the engine and transmission further back behind the axle and helps stretch the wheelbase without lengthing the car's exterior dimensions. Less front overhang means the
2009 Audi A4 will be less front-heavy than its predecessor, a problem which has dogged most Audis for some time.
The new
Audi A4 will also get something that its
A5 brethren unfortunately did not - LED tail lamps. We have been told that the development cycle on the
A5 was such that tail lamp designs had to be locked-in before the more cost effective LED models to be used on the
Audi A4 could be finalized. The
Audi A4 will also include headlight-integrated LED daytime running lights as an option, while the
S4 will get them as a standard feature.
Inside the new
Audi A4 it will be more of the same from
Audi; world class interior treatments will grace the
Audi A4 and each of its variants. The cabin will be very similar to the
A5's with a more raked (and slightly driver's side skewed) center console, an all new climate control and audio center stack and more distinctive gauges. The driver will be able to adjust the armrest both up-and-down and by sliding front to back.
Powerplants for North America will be standard Audi fare with a 2.0-liter TFSI, a 3.2-liter V6 and the 4.2-liter FSI V8 in the
S4 version. Expect to see a new 1.8-liter TFSI offering for Europe as well as both 4 and 6-cylinder TDI variants. Available transmissions will include a 6-speed manual, multitronic and Audi's newest S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox.
Looking at the current generation
Audi A4, Audi produces the
Audi A4 sedan,
Audi A4 Avant,
Audi A4 Cabriolet,
Audi S4 sedan,
Audi S4 Avant,
Audi S4 Cabriolet and
Audi RS4. Things will definitely change, but the final details are unknown at this time.
We can safely speculate that the
Audi A4 and
Audi S4 Cabriolets go away in favor of a
A5 and
S5 Cabriolets, respectively. We have also read at least one article saying that the
Audi A4 and
Audi S4 Avants will be replaced by the upcoming
Audi Q5, although we hear that this is simply not the case. The
Q5 will be marketed as an
SUV, which is clearly different than the
Audi A4 /
S4 Avant. Last, a four-door
Audi A4 Sportback has been mentioned and this remains a weak possibility as a 2010 or beyond model.
The
2009 Audi A4 will be available in Europe by spring 2008 with general availability in North America later that fall. No pricing has been confirmed, but consumers should not expect to see much in the way of price increases. One things is certain: buyers will be getting more car for the money with the next generation
Audi A4.
