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Audi will launch the estate version of its new A4 at next month’s Geneva motor show, and claims it has class-leading luggage space; 1430-litres with the seats down, 46-litres more than a current BMW 3-series Touring.
The car shares its suspension and drivetrains with the saloon. Engine choices include 1.8-litre four-cylinder and 3.2-litre V6 petrols, and the 2.0-litre and 3.0-litre diesels. The V6 cars come with quattro four-wheel drive as standard.
The entry-level 1.8 manages a 0-62mph ti...Read the full article

1430 litres is class-leading? Those marketing guys...

If I'm not mistaken the Accord's 1706 liter is not even class-leading.

Earlier the Mercedes marketeers called their C-class' electric tailgate new for the sector. I thought the Accord tourer has it since 2003/2004.

I do believe it would be a bad thing if the carjournalists were to follow this marketing inspired division between "premium" and "the rest". Marketeers are paid to do just that and make people spend money because of how they think others will perceive them. But shouldn't journalists see through that and appreciate cars on a technical base only?

It does not fit with other aspects of my character, but I love cars (It would be wiser if I didn't, but I do - can't help it). But not at all is that related or has that got anything to do with "prestige" (whatever en however subjective that may be). I do for instance love my Accord. Why? Because its' i-ctdi engine is truly fabulous (quite different from and not just a few steps above a tdi Audi's are sold with) and its' chassis is so too (again nicer then -at least- the former A4's), while the car's build quality is superb (though not better then an Audi's).

There is no reasonable rationale for splitting op any segment in terms of "premium" or not.

Hence, it's pure nonsens and even false, to state that the A4 has class-leading luggage space.

It would be nice to see journalists display enough criticism to deny any such claims.

 

Anyway... ...the options are just too expensive. I am nearly sure my current Audi (late 2006) will be my last. Subaru are said to have a new diesel Legacy automatic for 2009 - that would be my best choice. Maybe the new Accord estate will look less like a hearse and be available as a diesel automatic - then it's also in the frame.

I started thinking completely differently about "prestige" cars when my Audi/VW dealer let slip that VAG make twice as much profit on an optional navigation system for an A6 as it does altogether on a base spec Polo.

I used to like Audis a lot. I even pootle around in a late, old style TT Roadster. But whenever I find myself in an Audi showroom now, I do wonder what went wrong? They are still built with a superb level of care and the quality of materials is beyond question but all that neat Bauhaus styling seems to have given way to something much uglier and infinitely less subtle, while the oft-criticised driving experience has improved but still doesn't give BMW, or even Mercedes, sleepless nights. Maybe the sea change came when the interesting and pretty clever A2 was chopped from production early and the truly gross, visually offensive Q7 loomed into view like a coming storm a couple of years later.

nh:

1430 liters is class-leading? Those marketing guys...

If I'm not mistaken the Accord's 1706 liter is not even class-leading.

Earlier the Mercedes marketeers called their C-class' electric tailgate new for the sector. I thought the Accord tourer has it since 2003/2004.

Correct!

I too am not convinced by the looks of the new A4, it just does not seem cohesive and ends up looking rather dull. I thought dull was left to Volvo, Can't Audi find a new look for it's cars?

After officially unveiling the models at the Geneva Motor Show, the Infiniti website has been updated to include all the European specifications.

Also, you may like to know that Infiniti have just announced they're accepting reservations. So, if you are planning on being one of the first in your country to own an Infiniti just visit www.infiniti.eu/reserve to book your place in the queue.

I work for the Extended Launch Team at Infiniti and will be checking back here in a few days, so if you have any questions about the reservations list, please let me know and I'll do my best to help.