Audi 'deeply' into design revamp. Next gen Audis will not look much alike

[Tumbo]

Speaking about details, another thing that Audi must correct, is their interiors. I mean that in photos they look good. But the execution could be a million times better, with better materials used, especially in the A4, which is full of cheap and shiny plastic.

Plastic details do not add neither to a sporty feel, nor to a luxurious one. They only make the car look tacky.

Wow.. Am I reading this?? Seriously. One thing that Audi should NOT change, is their interiors. BMW is ages behind... They looks so plastic and cheap. Mercedes is close, but still not there. Audi has class, quality and style in the interiors. And you hear it in every test: Audi has the best interios. So for Gods sake, I hope and pray that they keep their quality interiors. I love every little details of my Q5 interior, and when I sat in the new A8, I thought it was an Rolls Royce.

I feel the quality here in every button push, every button turn.. I wouldnt have it in any other way. And this is Audis power. The interiors. So whoever says different... Wow.. Then you can buy a Beemer.. You can a lot of cheap dark plastic, like from the 80's

 

[Ultimate Car Guy]

I agree, Audi interiors have great interiors in terms of materials. They really are the industry standard.

What i do believe is that Audi's aren't that great in terms of interior design - there are just way too many buttons especially in the centre console. It's an absolute mess and so hard to use.

 

[Zafiro]

I was comparing similarly prices alternatives which I think is valid. I'm sure you would agree that a 3 series minus the Satnav hump looks less than impressive too.

But when people talk about 'interior' then its Audi people think about, not BMW. Last models dont have the quality Audi are famous for.

 

[Zafiro]

Wow.. Am I reading this?? Seriously. One thing that Audi should NOT change, is their interiors. BMW is ages behind... They looks so plastic and cheap. Mercedes is close, but still not there. Audi has class, quality and style in the interiors. And you hear it in every test: Audi has the best interios. So for Gods sake, I hope and pray that they keep their quality interiors. I love every little details of my Q5 interior, and when I sat in the new A8, I thought it was an Rolls Royce.

This is what you said about the latest A4 some time ago

I quote:
"I do not like the interior fully. Those silver coloured plastic thigns around the gauges look soooo cheap! I was actually very disapointed. I didn't feel that special interior quality, as for examaple in the old B7 A4! Even the TT, R8 etc.. Those have fantastic interiors.."

 

[Morrison]

Current Audis look nice. But having details that offer some differentiation will give each car line its own distinct character. I think they ought to take a page out of Mercedes' playbook and take their approach. BMW's, to me, offer enough distinction but I can see how others can find very little discerning style differences. I still have some troubles distinguishing between the rear of the 5er and the new 3er. Maybe seeing in person will help.

You can easily distinguishe the front of 3er and 5er, so easy, and with the rear it`s easy: You read the engine ex 328i, or 520d and you know what car it is lol. Plus the size of the cars.

 

[Morrison]

But when people talk about 'interior' then its Audi people think about, not BMW. Last models dont have the quality Audi are famous for.

How can you say that ? It`s exactly the opposite situation IMO, the last models of A6,A7,and A8 have wonderful interiors. I think as a MB fan that the w222 will have a difficult mission to tackle with the A8 interior. In this moment A8 is easily in top 3 gorgeous car interiors along with Porsche Panamera and Cayenne. The A4 has the worst interior after the facelift of C class and the launch of the F30 3 series.

 

[Zafiro]

How can you say that ?

Based on personal experience and what others have said. Note, Im not speaking about interior design, its not the same thing as interior materials.

I have no experience with the new A8 but I've been inside previous S8, flawless interior.


PS I read a comparison between the new 5er, E-class and A6 and guess what. A6 scored less points than the others in category interior quality.

 

[Morrison]

You made me curious, who was the winner ? I know that interior design is not the same thing with interior quality of the materials, but I read comparisons too, and a8 and a6 (last models-2011) win at that point, and this thing dissapointed me because I really like Mercedes and the E interior. So, I was based too on what others said. Everybody talks and praises audis interiors, and just like someone in on this froum said that audis interiors are in this moment the standard. Hell, I don`t like this at all ! It`s Merc business here. Bmw interiors are just like the audis exterior. They are looking alike too much.

 

[K-A]

I'm sorry, I just cannot ever understand the hoopla surrounding Audi interiors. Firstly, the designs are usually harsh and don't age well, although the new A6's interior is much nicer in person than in pics.

As far as materials, I don't think Audi is even Class leading in most Classes. Yes, the A8's interior is very nice, but even that isn't too great to me (when you sit in it), lots of blocky shapes, buttons everywhere, just doesn't feel too "at home".

After looking at Hyundai's at the Auto Show the other day, and walking across the isle to Audi and sitting in an A4, I have to say that the A4 felt a little "cold" and not as warming as some of the newer Hyundai's.

As for the A6, most materials are grade A, but there were quite a few that were VERY cheap, hard, and chintzy (even scratch-prone, like Fischer Price plastic), far lesser than anything in the E Class and 5 Series. Namely the plastic compartment covers around the center console area. Also, there isn't a single stitch to be seen anywhere on the door area, while the E and 5 both have elegant and luxurious stitching abound there. The A6 just has lots of flat, open vinyl in those areas.

 

[Deckhook]

@UCG, if anything I reckon it's Audi's interior designs that separate them and elevate them above BMW and Mercedes, the others are very German and no nonsense like, boring almost but they are at least up there now in terms of quality and if anything the 5 series interior is ahead of its rivals in terms of perceived luxury.

Exterior designs, out of the three I reckon BMW has went through the most changes with the other two continuing on the chosen path with only minor tweaks on a timeless design language. That said the 5 and 3 have proven the change to be both successful and quite beautiful... long may it continue.

 

[Zafiro]

You made me curious, who was the winner ?

Both E and 5 scored the same points, while Audi being last

Anyway, I dont have the problem with other Audi interiors but A4 is the worst of them in terms of quality. Hopefully the facelift A4 has improved.

 

[Deckhook]

Hopefully the facelift A4 has improved.

It doesn't look any different from the photo shots I've seen, but my mate is just bought a S4 Avant like mine what 2yr old so I will know soon whether it rattles or looks any worse than the one I got rid of after 9mths.

 

[Morrison]

Indeed A4, has the worst interior from the 2 classic competitors, C and 3er. It is a good idea to start a plot, with these 3 interiors, cause between C and 3 it`s hard to choose.

 

[Deckhook]

I'm looking forward to sitting in the new A3 to see if things have even improved above the level the last one left off. I do love the highlight trims that BMW are usually in their 1 and 3 now, doubt Audi will follow which is a shame but it was be interesting to see if their material quality are at the same standard. One thing Audi does has over both the 1 and 3 is dual clutch transmissions, they are perceived as the sportier option compared to an auto, even one as you as the ZF.

 

[Tumbo]

I agree, Audi interiors have great interiors in terms of materials. They really are the industry standard.

What i do believe is that Audi's aren't that great in terms of interior design - there are just way too many buttons especially in the centre console. It's an absolute mess and so hard to use.

May I ask? Have you owned any new Audi? If you haven't, you should drive one a day or two, and you will see.
The MMI system is SO EASY to use, and the buttons are no way near a mess. Im telling you, a baby could play with the MMI

 

[Tumbo]

This is what you said about the latest A4 some time ago

I quote:
"I do not like the interior fully. Those silver coloured plastic thigns around the gauges look soooo cheap! I was actually very disapointed. I didn't feel that special interior quality, as for examaple in the old B7 A4! Even the TT, R8 etc.. Those have fantastic interiors.."

Yes, as I said, the plastic around the MMI screen on the A4, and especially the Q7, is not good. But thats the only thing I complained about. On the Q5 for example, or the new A6, the A8, the TT, the A1..there is no such problems at all.

 

[Levi68]

I experienced all the latest Audi's, BMW's and Mercedes's and I found them all equally good in terms of quality. In layout and design, Audi is number one, but after the 7 Series F01, 5 Series F10, 1 Series F20 and X3 F25, BMW is not really behind Audi.


I do not know how is it for other, but when it come to chosing between one of the three premium brands, there are other factors that I consider other than design and interior quality, as non of them look really bad or "cheap".

 

[Zafiro]

I do not know how is it for other, but when it come to chosing between one of the three premium brands, there are other factors that I consider other than design and interior quality, as non of them look really bad or "cheap".

Excactly, however interior design and exterior design matters for me but like you interior quality is a low priority since all three brands offer high quality materials. None of them are best, people here are just arguing for the sake of it.

 

[Deckhook]

None of them are best, people here are just arguing for the sake of it.

But is this not true for everything, not only exterior/interior design. I feel people take these discussion far too serious, it's cars we are debating not third world debt.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

You can easily distinguishe the front of 3er and 5er, so easy, and with the rear it`s easy: You read the engine ex 328i, or 520d and you know what car it is lol. Plus the size of the cars.

Haha, I don't think I'll have issues with distinguishing 3er from the 5er based on the front, the 3er is rather distinctive. And yes, I suppose I could read the badge. But if I'm 50-100 yards away, reading the badge will prove to be difficult. My vision is good, but not that good. As I've said, since I have not seen the 3er in person, I might change my mind once I see it real life. But as far as pics go, the 3er's rear and 5er's rear seem very similar.

Regarding the Audi's interiors....they are nice, but the A4's seems a bit chintzier than the other Audis. I remember test driving and A4 Avant and a Q5. I felt the Q5 was much better. They probably use the same material, but the presentation in the Q5 seemed better.