. . .and as I read through all the chest pounding stuff and the standard and optional features, I thought [first] "damn, the new A4 better get a bunch more features added in time for the switchover to a 2006 designation. . ." and "what the. . .? there will be no new BMW 3 (initially, I assume) available with AWD?"

OK, so the new A4 3.2 comes out with 255 HP, ditto BMW -- but the 3.2 Audi has about 10% more torque than the Bimmer. The Bimmer has either stick shift or auto on day one -- ooops, strike against Audi. So we're sorta on even ground, except that the BMW has a bunch more "Premium Car" features and options (so says the order guide) than the Audi (as if the 3 series has all the good stuff, the lux stuff from the new A6, but the A4 doesn't offer several "buzz items" (e.g., smart key).

But NO AWD no 3 series with the "xi" designation?

Is this true?

Score a really big one for the A4 2.0T, A4 3.2 and of course the new S4.

The winner in this race for one upsmanship? The consumer!

The big styling drawback I see with the B7 A4 is that the front overhang seems really huge. I know they only added 28 mm to the front overhang, but seeing the car in person, it just seemed like the front overhang was longer than the rear, making the profile look dawdy. RWD cars like the G35 and BMW have a much nicer profile with their short overhang.

I have heard rumblings about Audi moving their engines back somehwat behind the front axle, but I have yet to see any evidence of it among the recently introduced new models (A6 and A8).

I saw the B7 A4 at the LA Auto Show. Between the new styling and the sport package wheel design, the new model looked marginally less attractive than the A6. The main interior features added to the B7 (3-spoke multi-function steering wheel and map-display navigation) are long overdue features the E46 3-Series has had since its introduction in 1999.

The new V6 engine is nice, but with the extra weight of A4, the 3.2 will still trail the new 330i in straight line performance. For once I'd like to see Audi lead in this area, rather than continuously try to catch up with a moving target.

for the BMW against the Audi, even if it offers more options (and higher price tag)

Ok, I hear ya on the roominess part..but I mean how much room do YOU really need. And as for straightline performance, street racing is illegal here in NC, and I have no plans to take my new B7 to the track here in Charlotte....so really, you have o ask yourself, what do you really want/need in a car?? And is it possible to be an enthusiast without wanting YOUR car to be the next one on PS2's Gran Turismo 4?? Cause lawd knows...I got good taste and want a car that is excellent, but that the rest of the world doesn't have. As someone once said...
Mercedes = Old Money; BMW = New Money; Audi = Smart Money. And to me, the Audi carries such a different distinction. Everyone wants a BMW or Benz...but an Audi...it's a car that is in that echelon, but a bit more "under the radar"...