Official Audi A4 (B8) Thread (Spy pics & info)

[CorpusCallosum]

Originally Posted by Yannis

I wonder if the design of the new A4 will impress everyone as much as the A5/S5.
I keep hearing from journalist reviews that it beats BMW E92 and CLK hands down.

Funny that... out of all the reviews ive read only the S5 can beat the 335i in a review and seamingly only just...

[Poverty]

Originally Posted by BMW_Owner

Funny that... out of all the reviews ive read only the S5 can beat the 335i in a review and seamingly only just...

yannis is talking design wise. Having now seen the A5 myself I have to agree that it blows the beemer and merc out of the water

[SCOTT27]

I keep hearing from journalist reviews that it beats BMW E92 and CLK hands down

Yes maybe the CLK but the 335i is the more dynamically superior car. To hear reports that the A5/S5 is streets ahead over the 335i in dynamics and agility is to question the journalists state of mind!

[cesc]

The Audi A5, at least dynamically, is not very good. Several reviews have been less than complimentary about it's lack of sharpness and dull steering and handling. I hope the A4 is not afflicted with the same poor driving dynamics.

[Yannis]

The S5 has the same track time with 335i , how is that possible with "poor steering" and "driving dynamics"?

M3 has also been critised for "poor steering" and "soft setup" compared to RS4 but some of you seem to forget it.

If i follow your logic then compared to M3 the RS4 is the "dynamically superior car".

[Just_me]

Originally Posted by Yannis

The S5 has the same track time with 335i , how is that possible with "poor steering" and "driving dynamics"?

Quattro baby Quattro!!!! You know what it would look like if the S5 was FWD and of course the torque advantage for S5.
335i doesnt even have a diff (LSD) which is very helpful for traction. If you driven a 335i you will notice how easy the tires spin when you push the car. S5 is a better suited for the track than a 335i and would be my choice for the trackdays.

BMW should be happy that 335i is being compared to S-models. M3 E46 and S4 V8 were competitors before RS4 came to the market. Also 335i is pretty much the same car as a 330i just an engine being different. I bet there is a bigger differnce between a S5 and an A5 than its between a 335i and 330i.

What will happen when the 335is comes to the market...?.!?.

[RICHBOY]

Originally Posted by cesc

The Audi A5, at least dynamically, is not very good. Several reviews have been less than complimentary about it's lack of sharpness and dull steering and handling. I hope the A4 is not afflicted with the same poor driving dynamics.

Are you serious? When was your test drive? It's steering feel is debatable, I've read reviews that say it's less then stellar and others that say is a blast to drive, very communitive! So if mixed reviews equal "The Audi A5, at least dynamically, is not very good." well that doesn't bode well for the 335i, considering the only reason the 335i wins comparisons against the S5 is because of cost! There's know other reason that can be presented anywhere!

Highlights from the Autozeitung comparison S5 vs. 335i

S5

0-100 : 5,1s
0-160 : 11,6s
0-200 : 18,3s

braking :
100-0, cold : 35,1m
100-0, warm : 34,5m

handling : 1:44,6 min
slalom : 62,2 km/h

weight : 1721kg

335i coupe (manual)

0-100 : 5,5s
0-160 : 11,9s
0-200 : 19,1s

braking :
100-0, cold : 36,6m
100-0, warm : 34,8m

handling : 1:44,6 min
slalom : 63,0 km/h

weight : 1596kg

1st S5
2nd 335i

If .8km/h slalom time is the difference between great driving dynamic's and "not very good" then I don't know what to tell ya friend!

[EnI]

Originally Posted by Yannis

The S5 has the same track time with 335i , how is that possible with "poor steering" and "driving dynamics"?

Better traction due Quattro AWD, and perhaps better tyres (?). Better & more efficient sporty brakes. Better acceleration times due more powerful engine.



I guess these advantages prevailed over the disadvantages like eg. higher weight, less sharp steering (important for tight corners & slalom mainly), less sporty chassis (incl. suspension).




I'm interested in the following future test - which will be a bit more natural (I do not consider 335(x)i & S5 to be direct rivals!):

S5 vs 335xi coupe - road & track driving in dry & wet conditions, traction comparison in various conditions, performance figures.

[Yannis]

Originally Posted by EnI

Better traction due Quattro AWD, and perhaps better tyres (?). Better & more efficient sporty brakes. Better acceleration times due more powerful engine.

The 335i is hardly underpowered. In fact i remember that at the dyno it actually makes more than 330 hp.

Also 335i is turbocharged (thus immitating Audi , if we use Scott's words , lol) , and the torque distribution plays a very important role too.

[Just_me]

Originally Posted by Yannis

The 335i is hardly underpowered. In fact i remember that at the dyno it actually makes more than 330 hp.

Also 335i is turbocharged (thus immitating Audi , if we use Scott's words , lol) , and the torque distribution plays a very important role too.

Yes the first presscar but what about customer cars? We cant rely on one or two dynotests. And whats the point of power without traction?

+ 400nm vs 440nm, 306hk vs 355hk, power advantage S5
+ Quattro vs RWD without LSD, traction advantage S5
= S5 has much better traction than a 335i

There you have it. Power is nothing without control and shame on BMw for not offering LSD Even Infinti G37 uses a LSD.