Audi A4
The Audi A4 is an automobile series assembled by Volkswagen Group, first sold in 1995 as a 1996 model. It was based on the B5 and had the same chassis until a redesign in 2002. One distinction was the engine orientation — it is longitudinal, which is more often found in rear wheel drive cars. It was first only available with a 2.8 litre 172 horsepower V-6 until 1997, when the 150 horsepower 1.8 litre Turbo straight-4 was introduced. This engine was affected by an oil sludge problem.
In 1999, the sedan/avant received a facelift with a revised engine — the 2.8 was changed from 2 valves per cylinder to 5 valves per cylinder (for 190hp). Also, new taillights, headlights, and minor interior changes were available the next year. A high-performance version, the Audi S4 was introduced in 2000. For 2001, the turbo boost on the 1.8T engine was raised to make 170hp. Cars with the boosted four get a red "shadow" under the letter "T" on the back.
For 2002, the car was redesigned with a new chassis designated B6 (also called "8E" by Audi). It received a larger displacement engine, the 220hp 3.0 V-6. The 1.8 T is still being produced. The new V8-powered Audi S4 was introduced in 2004.
The biggest competitors for the A4 are the BMW 3-series, the Mercedes C-class and the Lexus IS200/300. The original A4's sucess is generally viewed as the single most important factor for Audi's recovery in the US after the sales plunge caused by the Audi 5000's sudden acceleration incidents (disclosed on the TV program "60 Minutes" in 1986). Early A4s also suffered from seveal widely known major design flaws, such as premature control arm and timing belt failures.
Audi US 2004 Model Line
