Yannis

Audi Roadjet: Audi hatches the new A4.

Audi claims that its new Roadjet concept combines ‘the latest stage of Audi’s design evolution with an entirely new space concept’. It's a mildly intriguing hint at the future of Audi design with an even more aggressive nose and slick fastback rear, but we're not so sure about the space aspect.

Under the swooping lines is Audi’s new B-platform, the smallest of three future component sets which will underpin the company’s future models - apart from the A3. These platforms are flexible enough to allow for different length wheelbases, different track widths and different heights for the driver’s seating position.

The Roadjet's power comes from a new 300bhp 3.2-litre FSI V6 engine hooked up to a seven-speed Direct-Shift Gearbox (installed longitudinally for the first time) and permanent Quattro four-wheel drive. Audi claims the same economy as today’s 3.2-litre A4 for the Roadjet, despite a bluffer shape, marginally more weight and an extra 45bhp.

The Roadjet’s interior marks a departure for Audi: gone is the sculpted cliff of a dashboard; replaceed by a lighter, airier ambience. Although the concept has four seats, the production car is expected to be a five seater with the option of two child seats in the luggage bay.

Audi says the Roadjet is also equipped with a future-generation information-processing systems which allows automatic car-to-car communication. The set-up, which has already been agreed on by the global car industry, will allow cars to automatically warn other cars of hazards and even set the ideal in-town cruising speed in order to reduce the change of encountering red lights.

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klier

They're really going all-out with copying BMW, wouldn't you say?

Snake Vargas

Hey, BMW don't hold longitudinally mounted engines as a trademark. Car makers had longitudinally mounted engines even before BMW was but a twinkle in its founder's eye.

Plus, for those who like to scream "copycat", I'm quite sure BMW don't hold a trademark on CELIS LED strip taillights either. If someone decides to use them, then so what? Otherwise, woe betide any other company that uses LEDs on the front of the car now that Audi's S6 has.

If Audi has chosen to make this decision, then good for them. Let's leave claims of copying to more substantial things than the way the engine's mounted (or what makes the rear lights glow).

Anim8or

Huh?

Porsche, Alfa Romeo, and Subaru or just some of the other car companies that also have longitudinal engines. How is Audi copying BMW?

Also, Audi's new B8 platform boasts quattro and DSG; technologies that preceded and still vastly rival BMW's lower grade copycat versions.

Audi has actually been long regarded as the trend setting bad boy of German cars. For example, everyone thought Audi was crazy to introduce and proliferate all-wheel drive back in the 80's. Now all luxury car makers have introduced all-wheel drive to most of their models. Audi is continuing setting technological firsts such as all-aluminum space frames, double-clutch and chain-driven transmissions.

What's exciting about the B8 platform is that most of their innovations are culminating into a single car. For the first time we'll see rear-biased quattro, a DSG transmission, and an even more powerful FSI longitudinal engine, all wrapped up in a single car. I have heard from many people at Audi that the forthcoming A4 is designed to finally topple the BMW 3 series. From what I see here, Audi is well on it's way to achieving this elusive goal.

Yannis

Klier you got it all wrong! The DSG gearbox is the one that is installed along with a longitudinally mounted engine for the first time. Most Audis have longitudinally mounted engines for many years now.
So far DSG gearboxes were only installed in TT and A3 which have transverse mounted engines.

siko

Why a new thread?

Tine already started on --> http://www.germancarzone.com/showthread.php?t=2175

Yannis

This is a completely different story. The article confirms that the Roadjet is the hatchback/sportback version of the new A4.

siko

Yannis

Lol. No need to be.

Harry Plopper

I'm affraid that's true. New gen A4 will be just as good if not better than 3er handling wise.

My fears can come true ...

But BMW is not sleeping ...

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