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2017 Audi A4 First Drive [w/video]

Internally, Audi refers to the A4 lineage with a B designation. Why the discrepancy? The model legacy traces back to the 1972 Audi 80, and the A4 name wasn't adopted until 1996 for the North American market. So the fifth-generation A4 is code-named B9. There is no confusion about what this car means to Audi. In 19 years, the brand has sold more than 12 million A4s around the world, which puts this new generation on the A-list when it comes to brand importance. If you squint, the new car looks like a facelifted version of the last-generation facelift unveiled in 2013. We get the same impression of the new A4 as we do with the third-generation Audi TT: it hasn't been comprehensively reconceived, it's been comprehensively re-detailed. But with a move to the updated VW group platform known as MLB Evo, 90 percent of the components on this car are new. On the outside, those changes are reflected through deeper sculpting on a body that's about the same height as before but 0.5-inches wider, one-inch longer, and with a wheelbase stretched 0.7 inches. The tweaked grille separates reworked Bi-Xenon headlights, which are standard across the lineup now – halogens go bye-bye. LED headlights are optional, as are the matrix units in other markets. Audi claims US-market cars will lose anywhere from 70 to 100 pounds depending on specification. Above those lights is a version of a clamshell hood – its shutline forms the front third of the pronounced shoulder line along the sedan's flanks. Audi designed a new hinge that keeps the hood lined up properly over the life of a car because small misalignments show more easily on the vertical seams. In back there are updated taillights, a standard rearview camera, and a trunk opening that's an even one meter across. In the press presentations, any conversation quickly turns to weight loss and aerodynamic efficiency. The only curb weight we have from Audi so far is for the base sedan, empty and without a driver, with the 1.4 TFSI engine that we don't get, coming in at 2,910 pounds. The current US-spec A4 is listed at 3,583 pounds, and Audi claims US-market cars will lose anywhere from 70 to 100 pounds depending on specification. About 35 pounds of that comes from the chassis, with new forged aluminum links on the suspension, fixed-caliper, four-piston brakes up front, and wheels that are never heavier than 26 pounds. The rest of the weight loss comes from the body, mostly through greater use of aluminum.

Leaked Audi product roadmap may confirm R8 with V6 engine

About a year ago, we reported that Audi was considering downsized engines for the new R8, which launched in V10 form. This is partially due to the Chinese market's desire for smaller displacement engines, and partially due to R8 technical lead Roland Schala's statement that a "V6 is a perfect engine for this car." This leaked upcoming product schedule, passed on by our friends at Autobahn.eu, seems to confirm these rumors. Based on the information in the image above, the R8 V6 is due in 2018. The rest of the product map seems to square with vehicles we know are in the pipeline. We spied the SQ7, A5, and R8 Spyder about a year ago, and the TT RS a few months ago. We told you in December a new Q5 is on the way, too. We just heard a credible rumor that the RS3 is on the way in 2017 as a 2018 model, and may even come to America, which squares with what we're seeing here. And we drove the Q7 E-Tron in 2015 – it's going on sale in Europe soon. This graphic puts the on-sale date as October 2017; that could be for the US market. Puzzlingly, this graphic doesn't discuss the Q2, which Audi just teased today. We're not sure what to make of that. Now onto the fun stuff. 2018 should be when Audi reveals a new A8 (featuring, most likely, a version of the futuristic Virtual Dashboard seen at CES) and A7, an RS 5 Coupe launching a few months after the A5/S5, a new A6, and the already-confirmed Q8 SUV. All expected or already confirmed. What about the cryptically-named "C-BEV?" If we extrapolate that to mean C-segment EV, if could be the Audi version of the stand-alone EV that VW is reportedly developing, and no, it's not the next E-Golf. We expected this MEB-based vehicle to debut in 2018, before the next-generation Golf, so again our rumors square nicely with what this roadmap tells us. Let's leave it at this: if you're an Audi fan, the next few years are going to be quite exciting. Expect some of these rumors to be confirmed in Geneva, so keep your eyes here for more Audi and VW info. Related Video:

Which would you rather have, Audi's RS5 or Mercedes' C63 AMG 507?

If you're in the market for a German sports coupe with a naturally aspirated V8, run, don't walk, to your nearest dealer because they are going to be gone very soon. European fuel economy and emissions rules have conspired to force automakers into seeking forced-induction mills. Motor Trend personality Jonny Lieberman is hosting the retirement party in the latest Head 2 Head video, where he takes on the 2014 Audi RS5 and 2014 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Edition 507 to decide which is the ultimate Teutonic V8.
To make the decision harder, Lieberman challenges the duo on the first soaking wet roads that Southern California has seen in ages. It forces the coupes to confront some of the actual weather that the rest of the country encounters regularly and serves to even the playing field somewhat between the charismatic rear-drive Mercedes-Benz and the all-wheel drive Audi.
It really is the end of an era for these coupes. The next Audi RS4 is rumored to switch to a twin-turbo V6, and while Mercedes won't officially admit it, the next C-Class AMG will likely switch to a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. And we already know the next BMW M3/M4 will rely on a 425-horsepower, 3.0-liter inline-six. Let's enjoy these eight-cylinder German giants while we can, and scroll down to watch the video.