New A4

[Ti Kan]

It's not surprising at all how the new A4 looks considering the
history of the C-platform sedans providing the styling cues
for the B-platform, generation after generation.  To wit (US model
years quoted):

- The type 81 (1980-84 4000/80) got its styling cues from the type 43
  (1977-83 5000/100/200).  Then, for 1985 the type 81/85 got a facelift,
  with front and rear changes derived largely from the then-new type 44
  (1984-91 5000/100/200).

- The type 89 sedan (1988-92 80/90) got most of its styling cues from the
  type 44.

- The type 8A sedan (1993-95 80/90) was a mildly restyled type 89, with the
  new corporate nose derived from the V8 and type 4A (1992-97 100/A6).
  Also, the type 8A's tail lights were made to look more like the type 4A's.

- The type 8D (1996-01 A4) combines styling cues from the type 4D
  (1997-current A8) as well as the type 4A (1992-97 100/A6), especially
  the kamm-tail being a pronounced expression of what was on the type 4A,
  except the tail lights are no longer full-width.
  Detail revisions in the 1999 type 8D A4 shows some things derived from
  the 1998-current A6 (type 4B), such as door handles.  It's worth noting
  that the may of the type 4B A6's styling details came from the TT,
  despite beig introduced earlier than the TT.

- Now, the 2002 A4 (not sure what the new type code is yet) is derived
  largely, from the type 4B A6.  Surprised?

At any rate, oftentimes pictures don't do the real thing justice.  This
was true with the new A6 when it came out.  The car looks far better in
the flesh than it appeared in print.  Perhaps the new A4 is that way too.
Also, Audi has become more 'bold' in its designs, citing words as 'dynamism'
and 'emotion'.  As such, they are no longer watered-down to be inoffensive
to everyone but which offer no controvercy or excitement...

I'll wait until I see one to see how I would like it.

P.S.  If you're confused by the platform type codes, check my web site
      for a cross reference: http://www.ibiblio.org/tkan/audi/usmodels.html

-Ti
01 S4 2.7 biturbo (coming)
96 A4 2.8 quattro
84 5000S 2.1 turbo
80 4000 2.0
-- 
    ///  Ti Kan                Vorsprung durch Technik
   ///   AMB Research Laboratories, Sunnyvale, CA. USA
  ///    ti at amb.org
 //////  http://www.ibiblio.org/tkan/
///