<ul><li><a href="http://forums.audiworld.com/s4b6/msgs/165447.phtml">http://forums.audiworld.com/s4b6/msgs/165447.phtml</a</li></ul>

.. There have been several occasions when a friend would mention that my A4 keys are exactly the same as their Jetta or Passat keys.

... by showing that the keys are exactly the same.

It's a silly way to prove a point, especially since the A4 and Passat are two very different cars, with the Audi having its own exclusive platform, not to mention being a far superior car in almost every way (handling, rigidity, safety). But to people who know nothing about cars, little things like keys lead to broad and ignorant generalizations.

But Audi has made a concerted effort over the past few years to separate itself from its association with VW. Although platform and engine sharing is an obvious economic necessarily (1.8T, DSG etc.), Audi has been developing more and more exclusive technology (ASF, Multitronic, MMI), that VW has access to only after a several years, if ever.

So changing the key design is a small yet effective way to communicate Audi's expanding exclusivity.

my dad had the same key on his 95 s420

Where you at in Germany?

Kaiserslautern area. What do you drive?