2008 Audi A4 Revealed
August 29, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
Audi today let loose images of the new 2008 Audi A4. First impressions? It really doesn’t look all that different to the current A4, but it is.
Audi had set out to create the new A4 with excellent driving dynamics and sporty proportions in mind, in order to that the German manufacturer has had to do some serious changes.
Longer by roughly 113 mm (4.7 meters overall length), the new A4 has had some surgery to shorten the front body overhang while the bonnet and wheelbase are both longer than before. The differential has swapped places with the clutch (torque converter in the auto) to allow the front axle to move forward by 154 mm. Audi says this will ensure ideal axle-load distribution.
Audi has also tinkered with the suspension, the new A4 is blessed with a completely new suspension design, one which is mostly made from weight-saving aluminium.
One of the noteworthy technologies in the new A4 is the Audi drive select, a system which can vary the engine, auto transmission, steering and suspension damping characteristics to suit the driver’s need, on the fly.
Enough about the cars design and technology, what about the power? Audi will give buyers a choice of five different engines, from 105 kW to 195 kW (not including the new RS4 obviously).
The four-cylinder petrol engines will all be turbocharged, like the diesels, and mated to either a six-speed manual gearbox, tiptronic automatic transmission or multitronic continuously variable transmission (CVT). The A4 will be driven via either front-wheel drive or Audi’s famous quattro permanent all-wheel drive.
The new A4 will be on display at the Frankfurt Motorshow next month and also make its way to the Australian Iinternational motorshow (Sydney) in October.
“The all new A4 will be a great addition to our range. It offers a superb combination of stylish design, sophisticated technology, precise balance and handling and of course it will offer an excellent alternative for luxury car buyers when it arrives here next year,” Audi Australia managing director Mr Hofmann said.
The 2008 A4 is expected to land in Audi dealerships around April next year. Pricing and Australian specifications are still not finalised.
Print it: 
Headlights are pretty out there, I like.
The rear looks like a mish-mash of the 3 Series and Liberty.. could have chosen better examples to imitate. Front profile is rather attractive. Nice!
It’s a lot more attractive than the current A4. I find that the current car looks very cheap and bland, and lacks presence next to a C Class or a 3 series BMW. The Front overhang made it look odd, as being detrimental to the driving dynamics of the car. It also made it look narrow and high. This is excluding the mighy RS4 of course, where the pumped guards, lowered ride height, and spoilers give it a ‘fat stance’, and the extensive use of plastic and aluminium in the front of the car negated a lot f the nose heaviness. Bring on the 2008 RS4!!!
audi have a great look about them they all look so good i wish i had one
Looks very similar to the A5…
i loved the features..reminds me of audi s4 parts. the grilles are great, headlights and the wheels..
exterior designs are great, looking forward for the interi0r designs as well. :)
i love this new 2008 model!, it just yells out sexy!
The 2008 A8 undoes the technical flaws of the previous model, ie., front nose weight overhang, choppy ride and lack of interior space.
The 2008 model has a longer wheelbase, is wider and longer both inside and out and redistributes weight towards the middle. This makes the car more agile, more nimble and more driveable.
The exterior design is clever, teutonic, angular with a tight and taut skin but still sensuous: it’s not a car, it’s mobile architecture. Each line, each curve and each panel is beautifully moulded to create a uniform, whole, sculptural shape. The front running lights are an option and add nothing, making the approach look like a Christmas tree coming at you = kitsch.
Other technical touches are straight from the A8 including adjustable ride comfort on-the-run etc, and are very welcomeas are rear-seat passenger air-cond. outlets.
This is undoubtedly, the most desirable, most practical Audi in the range now and, as an entry-level model, lifts the competition bar.
It will win many converts.
In terms of looks, effort and effect, Audi design Atelier has done it again.
[just my unbiased views]
Andrew
The 2008 A8 undoes the technical flaws of the previous model, ie., front nose weight overhang, choppy ride and lack of interior space.
The 2008 model has a longer wheelbase, is wider and longer both inside and out and redistributes weight towards the middle. This makes the car more agile, more nimble and more driveable.
The exterior design is clever, teutonic, angular with a tight and taut skin but still sensuous: it’s not a car, it’s mobile architecture. Each line, each curve and each panel is beautifully moulded to create a uniform, whole, sculptural shape. The front running lights are an option and add nothing, making the approach look like a Christmas tree coming at you = kitsch.
Other technical touches are straight from the A8 including adjustable ride comfort on-the-run etc, and are very welcome, as are rear passnger air cond. outlets.
This is undoubtedly, the most desirable, most practical Audi in the range now and, as an entry-level model, lifts the competition bar.
It will win many converts.
In terms of looks, effort and effect, Audi design Atelier has done it again.
{just my inbiased views]
Andrew
I like Audi’s new design language, some people say it doesn’t look that different from the previous generation, i think this looks a bit similar from a distance but up close looks quite different indeed. Audi is all about subtle design cues, at first i thought it was a bit too understated but seeing the previews of the S-Line package has changed that thought! Anyway, base model A4s, and many other luxury models for that matter, are simply not as attractive, desirable or über cool anyway.
Given a choice among Mercedes, BMW and Audi of the same class…I choose Audi hands down. Beautiful car. It is an art.