A4/S4/RS4 [Official] Audi A4 (B9)

[Busty]

Even professionals say it is for cost cutting. From Car & Driver for example;

"It's a cost-saving move compared with the electrically powered screen in the A3 and the A6, but the execution is so precise and contemporary that no one’s going to miss the whiz-bang of watching the screen rise on startup."

If it didn't vent properly when retracted, they wouldn't have it retract.

How would it allow for better updating? Any updates being done would be software, not hardware.

Not sure what the thinness of the dash would have to do with it either when the screens are mere millimeters thick. In fact, in all cars where a fixed screen is used the dash is thicker to devoid them of looking like a tacked on afterthought with the screen. It goes UP behind the screen, not merely flat like a retractable unit at the top.

And how would it impact the HUD? Audi A8? Top notch HUD AND retractable screen of course. I don't see how those two things relate?

Sorry, but pretty much everything you say is straight out wrong. I have been working in this and adjacent fields for quite a while .... so it is kinda hard to surprise me but your arguments did


1. I don't know whom you are quoting but it's certainly not correct without further remarks. Of course, it is more expensive if you compare one screen fixed vs retractable. But this mostly is not the alternative. The choice is: bigger screen, better effects whatsoever or the elegant audiesque retraction. These alternatives do not differ in costs.

2. They vent properly (relative to their performance) but this requires lots of compromises and and adaptations to the screen and the dash. Just compare the rates of current iDrives and MMIs and you'll realize the limitations in performance pretty easily.

3. Not only software updates are being implemented during the cycle. Control units for instance are changed pretty often nowadays. If there are retraction mechanics located right beneath the screen, even smallest interventions are relevant.

4. It is rather trivial that the retraction (especially the complicated ones around multiple axes) require additional space. Audi just kept it since it was their USP. Also, this space is by definition limited to the upper dash where other modules (e.g. for wireless communication or sound systems should be located). Whether an OEM chooses to design its dashs more flat is another question. Mercedes up to now does not (but they made them less deep), BMW does...

5. Up to now, there is only one Audi on the streets that satisfies basic HUD needs and that is the new Q7. It is NOT top-notch, rather small, little range of adjustment. ALL Audis before incl the A8 have an additional box on the dash as the upper housing of the HUD. This is far from top-notch and a clear indication that the necessary building space for a multi-mirror HUD (~12 liters) was not included in construction.

 

[donkeykong]

@Giannis Judging by his post,I would say it's a way to knock on the A4's design.​

 

[MoSs]

for some reason, im having the same exact feelings i had when the b8 came out.

Not wowed but its growing

 

[Rolf]

Very hard to comment or say good things about this cars exterior design as most of you have already said what I wanted to say !

Maybe I can add in that I think it's boring as watching paint dry on a wall and I am hugely disappointed as this car could have shown so much potential for Audi to reveal their new design language.

The interior does look good especially the virtual instruments display but is typical Audi and looks too similar to a Q7 or A6 interior and is nothing special. The C-class looks more classy inside than this car.

 

[ZicZachZo]

@martinbo has perfectly synthesised how I feel about the new A4. I'll only add that I'd like to see an opt out of the centre display screen should you opt for the digital speedo display. I quite like that the TT has done away with a central screen and hope this is merely a stop gap measure for the A4.

 

[JHF]

Audi RS4 Avant already rendered based on B9 generation

Likely coming out in 2016
The next generation Audi RS4 Avant has been speculatively rendered based on the recently unveiled A4 Avant (B9).

It was only earlier today when Audi took the wraps off its all-new A4 and now we already have an artistic digital impression of the forthcoming RS4 Avant likely scheduled to come out in 2016 as a 2017MY. Production of the old RS4 Avant has been terminated recently, so Ingolstadt won't offer a compact high-performance wagon for quite some time, unless the market launch of the new RS4 will occur sooner than expected.

Its really not that hard to image how the range-topping RS4 Avant will look like taking into account the new A4 (B9) can be mistaken from a design point a view by non-car guys for a facelift of the B8. However, just like the A4, the flagship version will also be much lighter despite growing in size and more importantly Audi has already confirmed the normally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 engine is going to be replaced with a smaller unit, possibly a turbocharged V6.

Until the arrival of a new RS4, Audi will introduce next year a warm S4 which is expected to use an evolution of the current TFSI V6 3.0-liter engine.


Source: xtomi.blogspot.com

http://www.worldcarfans.com/115062995909/audi-rs4-avant-already-rendered-based-on-b9-generation

 

[John Galt]

Nice interior for this class, but the exterior is too boring. Take off the good led lights and this car will look dated.

 

[Human]

This coming from a grownup, yet confessed BMW addict:
A4 Neat, well designed and clinical yet practical dash. Uncluttered also elegant.

Now most of us raved and drooled over the A3 sedan. IMHO I see a lot of the A3 sedans tightness and design in general in the new A4.

Maybe compare the two Audi's?

Edit: The C-class cabin in general oozes class only to be let down badly by its centre console that looks like a bad afterthought. Or rather a rookie designer that totally f-upt the chief engineers otherwise brilliant interior design philosophy.
Those air vents and the screen....my oh my.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

It's growing on me a little, specifically the S-Line wagon...but only slightly.

Like I've said with regards to the Mercedes line-up, if you need to rely on a sports package to make a car attractive, then it's not a well designed car.

Regarding the across-the-dash vents look, I wonder how many folks (particularly of the female specie) will be expecting air to come throughout the entire dash?

 

[Human]

It's growing on me a little, specifically the S-Line wagon...but only slightly.

Like I've said with regards to the Mercedes line-up, if you need to rely on a sports package to make a car attractive, then it's not a well designed car.

Regarding the across-the-dash vents look, I wonder how many folks (particularly of the female specie) will be expecting air to come throughout the entire dash?

 

[deity]

It's growing on me a little, specifically the S-Line wagon...but only slightly.

Like I've said with regards to the Mercedes line-up, if you need to rely on a sports package to make a car attractive, then it's not a well designed car.

Regarding the across-the-dash vents look, I wonder how many folks (particularly of the female specie) will be expecting air to come throughout the entire dash?

Wouldn't it be logical to assume so? Those vents are seriously ugly and illogical.

 

[speed_kills]

Bah...Still gonna sell well.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

I agree, it will sell alright as there's nothing offensive about the exterior, it's just well-trodden ground. For those that don't want the baggage that the three-point star or the roundel brings, and there are fair amount of those folks, it'll do well.

After 18 hours post-release of pics, I am warming up to it a little. Although they took an extra year or so to make it "less conservative," I am sure they were still bound to the original final design's parameters. And I have feeling when the original final proposal was made, Audi's design was still highly regarded as fresh and effortless. Only in the last 2-3 years has it been stigmatized as long in the tooth, which is after the final original proposal was frozen. @Carmaker and @Busty are good in providing insight on stuff like this, and I hope if they do have some info, I look forward to hearing about it.

The interior looks great, and I'd venture that the MMI screen in the dash is one, if not the best in the biz. I quite like the toggle-effect on the dash buttons and the MMI control on the center console.

 

[KiwiRob]

The screen is fixed as it will be in most new cars. Even though many people think this is due to cost cutting this is not the case. Fixed screens perform better because they are much easier to ventilate. Also, they allow for better updating during the life cycle. Furthermore, dashs can be designed slimmer and with a cleaner architecture. For instance, it is almost impossible to combine top-notch HUDs with a retractable center screen.

Have you seen the Q7 screen, it's retractable and is an HD display.

 

[KiwiRob]

The way HUD is integrated in the dashboard of the A8 isn't quite so well solved. The technique is more or less mounted on the dash, like it's some sort of an after thought. it's not neatly build into the dash.

Really?

 

[JusticeCar]

Finally had some real time to look this car over and digest what I see. And my only thought is this: when did they move April Fool's Day to June?

 

[MDM]

Not as bad as the Q7 but still far worse than I expected. I didn't want to believe that Audi lost its design capabilities but after so many failures in a short period of time I have to say they did...

 

[EnI]

Have you seen the Q7 screen, it's retractable and is an HD display.

But Q7 it's a SUV, the dash architecture is different - it's higheer => more volume under the dash.

 

[JLBM]

A bland and predictable exterior design. Quite like the interior. Could see myself in an S4, but wouldn't feel particularly special in it. I guess it would feel like an uber rep-mobile.

VAG is suffering from the malaise that hit GM, with all their products. Cadillac was an example that suffered in this regard.

 

[Busty]

Have you seen the Q7 screen, it's retractable and is an HD display.

Yes. I see it every day as the Q7 is my business car at the moment . HD is only one of the major problems among the ones I was getting at. Sheer size is an important aspect (and in the Q7 it's pretty small compared to the fat car), processing power is another. Mechanics are, by definition, in the way of all other required modules, hard drives, graphic boards etc.
Building space is defined by partition panel and cross beam and the Q7 offers comparably lots of space in this area. Any other model will have serious problems there.

Really?

Yes. Really. In my D4, there is a box above the cluster. Would be new to me that they changed it. Edit: In my car, it looks like in this RS6.