I'm sure this has been on this forum, but just in case...A recent issue of Autoweek I read while getting my beater Honda fixed said that the new A4 would be in North America in '01 and that it would have a new platform with TT front and A6 rear styling. It would have a direct ignition engine ( seems to corrborate above string) and may offer a continuously variable transmission ( which will be available in A6 next year.) After the sedan intro, there will be a coupe, Avant and cabrio released at 6 mo. intervals.

Sounds like I better buy a '00 2.8 - I don't think I'll like the body changes.

I don't like the concept of a TT front end with an A6 rear. Just doesn't seem right. And now the A4 will have a Toyota engine too? No thanks. Not that Toyotas are bad, they are great cars, but if I wanted a Toyota, I'd buy one. I personally like German engineering.

Looks like there will be a big demand for pre-2001 A4s once 2001 rolls around. I plan on keeping my 99.5 for a long time now.

It sounds like they saw that Photoshop manufactured picture of the new A4. Also, the rest of the items are what they typically report about any rumored new model.