Photo: Audi
Codenamed B9, the current generation of the A4 starts to show its age. Even with the mid-cycle refresh for the 2020 model year, Audi knows it has to push the envelope in order for the B10 to compete against the 3 Series from BMW and C-Class from Mercedes-Benz.
Production started in 2015 for 2016, and so far, the four-door sedan and five-door wagon are selling rather well. On the other hand, do remember that Audi is a part of the Volkswagen Group. The Germans are prone to cheap out in order to keep costs sustainable, and the A4 was rumored to switch to the MQB transverse matrix platform for the next generation.
“Even though this move could have potentially saved in excess of more than $1 billion over the A4’s life cycle, a concerted effort that leaned on goodwill, advance trust, and brand identity saved the MLB version.” That’s how Automobile Magazine explains the product strategy committee’s decision, backed by board member Hildegard Wortmann.
“It’s still over budget but perhaps the lesser of two evils,” according to the motoring publication, and we couldn’t agree more. On the other hand, don’t you find it a bit curious the longitudinal, front-engined layout translates to front- instead of rear-wheel drive from the get-go?
The answer to this question is… wait for it… cost-cutting. Sending the suck-squeeze-bang-blow to the front wheels implies fewer and less expensive components than going rear-wheel drive, and that’s somewhat odd if you remember that the competition is RWD.
If you were wondering, the most affordable A4 in the United States will set you back $39,200 before destination charge for the Titanium trim level and 40 TFSI turbo four-cylinder engine. Both the 3 Series and C-Class are more expensive at $40,750 and $41,400 in the U.S. of A.
The four-ringed automaker from Ingolstadt is expected to come out in 2022 at the earliest or 2023 at the latest, and “cuts to the MLB portfolio are still a distinct possibility” going forward.
“Even though this move could have potentially saved in excess of more than $1 billion over the A4’s life cycle, a concerted effort that leaned on goodwill, advance trust, and brand identity saved the MLB version.” That’s how Automobile Magazine explains the product strategy committee’s decision, backed by board member Hildegard Wortmann.
“It’s still over budget but perhaps the lesser of two evils,” according to the motoring publication, and we couldn’t agree more. On the other hand, don’t you find it a bit curious the longitudinal, front-engined layout translates to front- instead of rear-wheel drive from the get-go?
The answer to this question is… wait for it… cost-cutting. Sending the suck-squeeze-bang-blow to the front wheels implies fewer and less expensive components than going rear-wheel drive, and that’s somewhat odd if you remember that the competition is RWD.
If you were wondering, the most affordable A4 in the United States will set you back $39,200 before destination charge for the Titanium trim level and 40 TFSI turbo four-cylinder engine. Both the 3 Series and C-Class are more expensive at $40,750 and $41,400 in the U.S. of A.
The four-ringed automaker from Ingolstadt is expected to come out in 2022 at the earliest or 2023 at the latest, and “cuts to the MLB portfolio are still a distinct possibility” going forward.
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