[Yannis]

Originally Posted by BigBoss

I ask you: Why is that so?

Audi still has a lot of B7 A4 left to sell.

[Deutsch]

Originally Posted by Luwalira

A5 = two door
A4 = four door

Even if they share components they do have their differences and both need to be tested thoroughly. Using an existing body to test a new model is something company's only to in the first phase but do eventually test the car using the final body. No short cuts or risks are taken since the final product need tested in it's natural environment aka public roads. If a production ready B8 had been tested like any other German car we would by know have at least two thread with a gazzillion pictures of it. Just look at the BMW X6, it is due later this year and has been seen driving on the roads with nothing but masking tape. Bare in mind that it is partially based on the X5 but is still going through the typical testing.

Well, if you're limited to believing in only what you see, then I guess this mentality makes sense. Fact is, when the D3 A8(current) came out the first spy pics were taken TWO days before it's official launch. Audi is very very good about testing in secret(unlike so many others), or spy photographers may have been a little slow, or maybe didn't even care, and their products are quite thoroughly developed, dare I say even more so than BMW's.

[Centurion]

Originally Posted by Deutsch

Well, if you're limited to believing in only what you see, then I guess this mentality makes sense.

It very much so makes sense. At the end of the day they have to test the B8 A4 in it's full glory like they did with the A5 and R8.

But then again Frankfurt is only a month away and then we will get to know who was right.

[klier]

Originally Posted by Yannis

Audi still has a lot of B7 A4 left to sell.

And they still sell like hotcakes in the homecountry.....not much less than the E90 line

For Audi's image the B7 might not be so good anymore (old tech, design, etc), but for making good $$$, the B7 still does the job I'd say..

[Deutsch]

Originally Posted by Luwalira

It very much so makes sense. At the end of the day they have to test the B8 A4 in it's full glory like they did with the A5 and R8.

But then again Frankfurt is only a month away and then we will get to know who was right.

Yet, more proof the B8 A4 has been well under development for sometime now...
These were posted on Worldcarfans on 4/20/06(you can verify that in this link:Audi spyphoto: Archives). Direct link: Audi Q5 SUV and Next Generation A4 Spy Photos.

[Yannis]

Don't forget that the A4 and the A5 share a very large percentage of their parts. Below the skin the two cars are almost identical.

So A5 test mules have helped a lot in testing the A4 also.

[Deutsch]

Originally Posted by Yannis

Don't forget that the A4 and the A5 share a very large percentage of their parts. Below the skin the two cars are almost identical.

So A5 test mules have helped a lot in testing the A4 also.

4sure.

[Deutsch]

Just thought about it.... Frankfurt is set to start in a few weeks, therefore pics of the B8 A4 should be out very soon, we're talking weeks here. Is this exciting times or what!? This is the only car that could step in front of the W204 for me, we'll see.

[YoUhimhER]

sorry but i dont thnk the a4 will be debuted in september, i surely hope so tho.

[Deutsch]

Originally Posted by YoUhimhER

sorry but i dont thnk the a4 will be debuted in september, i surely hope so tho.

Exciting!! We'll see who has the last laugh??