Clash of the titans. Whos ready???

Deutsch · 01-01-2007, 11:11 PM

This year will mark the intro of Audi's first real competitors to BMW poroducts: the B8 A5 & A4. What do you expect??? Can the undisputed benchmark for performance and handling BMW be taken down by the four rings??? Or is it all just a pipe dream for Audi??? Watch this space....

Harry Plopper · 01-03-2007, 09:47 AM

New platform is definitely more capable than older ones.

But ...

New A4/5 will be significantly bigger than 3er. And that makes quite a difference in handling / steering performance. It's more difficult to make larger car as nimble as a few inches shorter car.

I'm not sure what will be done regarding the weight - yes, axle distribution will be better, but what about total weight.

Handling will be very good for FWD car, but not as good as RWD.

Steering precision will still be a bit behind BMW, but better than Audi offers today.

Quattro handling & traction will be even more improved, and more driver-friendly than RWD. xDrive will have to come with Dynamic xDrive.

Lower end 4-cylinder engines (TSI, TFSI) will be better than BMW NA ones - delivering better performance. Until BMW introduce I4 turbo engines. Bigger engines (6-cyl & above) will still be BMW's domain. But will be a close call when Audi hits with big TFSI engines.

S-Tronic will still rule in the gearbox field. Until BMW come with their DSG solution.

Audi will definitely offer more car for the money: a bit better built quality, more pleasing interior, more interior space, smoother & less complex design. But ... will it be as fun to drive as BMW cars in the same segment? I don't think so. A cup for Driving pleasure / thrill will still go to BMW. But Audi will come VERY close. And be sure BMW will not stand still.

What about MB?

I'm sure Audi is taking on MB as well: making their cars more spacious, more comfortable & prestigious.

But ... there is very hard to say which car will be THE BEST. All will be VERY GOOD. And only personal tastes & needs will be crucial when making decisions which one is the best FOR YOU.

Cars are products. The best car is the one that suits you best. Even if it is a Yugo.

Maserati · 01-03-2007, 10:03 AM

to me half of the fun is lost since no RWD is offered and thats it. Some of you might think that it has nothing to do with fun, but to me it is.
Duetsch, you seem to appreciate Audi more lately.

The Artist · 01-03-2007, 10:21 AM

yep until they dont go RWD they cant touch BMW

Osnabrueck · 01-03-2007, 12:11 PM

So when should we expect Audi to make "the big reveal" on the new A4?

Deutsch · 01-03-2007, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osnabrueck

So when should we expect Audi to make "the big reveal" on the new A4?

Sept. '07 @ the IAA.

The Emperor · 01-03-2007, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EnI

New platform is definitely more capable than older ones.

But ...

New A4/5 will be significantly bigger than 3er. And that makes quite a difference in handling / steering performance. It's more difficult to make larger car as nimble as a few inches shorter car.

I'm not sure what will be done regarding the weight - yes, axle distribution will be better, but what about total weight.

Handling will be very good for FWD car, but not as good as RWD.

Steering precision will still be a bit behind BMW, but better than Audi offers today.

Quattro handling & traction will be even more improved, and more driver-friendly than RWD. xDrive will have to come with Dynamic xDrive.

Lower end 4-cylinder engines (TSI, TFSI) will be better than BMW NA ones - delivering better performance. Until BMW introduce I4 turbo engines. Bigger engines (6-cyl & above) will still be BMW's domain. But will be a close call when Audi hits with big TFSI engines.

S-Tronic will still rule in the gearbox field. Until BMW come with their DSG solution.

Audi will definitely offer more car for the money: a bit better built quality, more pleasing interior, more interior space, smoother & less complex design. But ... will it be as fun to drive as BMW cars in the same segment? I don't think so. A cup for Driving pleasure / thrill will still go to BMW. But Audi will come VERY close. And be sure BMW will not stand still.

What about MB?

I'm sure Audi is taking on MB as well: making their cars more spacious, more comfortable & prestigious.

But ... there is very hard to say which car will be THE BEST. All will be VERY GOOD. And only personal tastes & needs will be crucial when making decisions which one is the best FOR YOU.

Cars are products. The best car is the one that suits you best. Even if it is a Yugo.

Great post, Eni!

I completely agree with you...

Deutsch · 01-03-2007, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJaaFY

Duetsch, you seem to appreciate Audi more lately.

I do. I'm trying to learn as much as possible about the four rings, especially since we have so many educators here.

However I will always be a BMW diehard, no matter how many sleepless nights I have over some of the idiosyncrasies that are ever so prevalent in this current generation of cars, from design to electronics. Seems through all of that, that a Bimmer will always drive like a BMW, and there's little else out there that can match the awesome balance (and packaging) of those cars.

Harry Plopper · 01-03-2007, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deutsch

Sept. '07 @ the IAA.

But A5 coupe is to be revealed in Geneva, right?

Deutsch · 01-03-2007, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EnI

But A5 coupe is to be revealed in Geneva, right?

Correct. Pics will be out late next month.

01-01-2007, 11:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
Deutsch Aficionado Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: L.A. Posts: 5,362 Thanks: 301 Thanked 468 Times in 240 Posts	Clash of the titans. Whos ready??? This year will mark the intro of Audi's first real competitors to BMW poroducts: the B8 A5 & A4. What do you expect??? Can the undisputed benchmark for performance and handling BMW be taken down by the four rings??? Or is it all just a pipe dream for Audi??? Watch this space....

01-03-2007, 09:47 AM	#2 (permalink)
Harry Plopper Oinky Wizard Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,737 Thanks: 75 Thanked 899 Times in 464 Posts	Re: Clash of the titans. Whos ready??? New platform is definitely more capable than older ones. But ... New A4/5 will be significantly bigger than 3er. And that makes quite a difference in handling / steering performance. It's more difficult to make larger car as nimble as a few inches shorter car. I'm not sure what will be done regarding the weight - yes, axle distribution will be better, but what about total weight. Handling will be very good for FWD car, but not as good as RWD. Steering precision will still be a bit behind BMW, but better than Audi offers today. Quattro handling & traction will be even more improved, and more driver-friendly than RWD. xDrive will have to come with Dynamic xDrive. Lower end 4-cylinder engines (TSI, TFSI) will be better than BMW NA ones - delivering better performance. Until BMW introduce I4 turbo engines. Bigger engines (6-cyl & above) will still be BMW's domain. But will be a close call when Audi hits with big TFSI engines. S-Tronic will still rule in the gearbox field. Until BMW come with their DSG solution. Audi will definitely offer more car for the money: a bit better built quality, more pleasing interior, more interior space, smoother & less complex design. But ... will it be as fun to drive as BMW cars in the same segment? I don't think so. A cup for Driving pleasure / thrill will still go to BMW. But Audi will come VERY close. And be sure BMW will not stand still. What about MB? I'm sure Audi is taking on MB as well: making their cars more spacious, more comfortable & prestigious. But ... there is very hard to say which car will be THE BEST. All will be VERY GOOD. And only personal tastes & needs will be crucial when making decisions which one is the best FOR YOU. Cars are products. The best car is the one that suits you best. Even if it is a Yugo.

01-03-2007, 10:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
Maserati Advocate Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: UAE Posts: 679 Thanks: 50 Thanked 56 Times in 37 Posts	Re: Clash of the titans. Whos ready??? to me half of the fun is lost since no RWD is offered and thats it. Some of you might think that it has nothing to do with fun, but to me it is. Duetsch, you seem to appreciate Audi more lately.

01-03-2007, 10:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
The Artist Shaolin Shadow Boxer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sweden Gothenburg Posts: 11,435 My Mood: Thanks: 122 Thanked 721 Times in 452 Posts	Re: Clash of the titans. Whos ready??? yep until they dont go RWD they cant touch BMW

01-03-2007, 12:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
Osnabrueck Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,858 Thanks: 233 Thanked 203 Times in 128 Posts	Re: Clash of the titans. Whos ready??? So when should we expect Audi to make "the big reveal" on the new A4?

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