Remember that Audi wants to "up-value" its cars, and the 335 should be a competitor...

I say $40,000 as entry price, probably somewhat higher because Audi typically seems to have more options as base, with bimmers skyrocketing as you add the goodies.

U.S. is looking at the V8 as a base engine. Of course, Audi has been known to change things around at the last minute.

Euros will get a 2.0T, me thinks.


RB

who would pay nearly 50k (optioned out) for a 200hp four banger

They talked about this in August last year at the presentation and apparently mentioned that the V8 would be the lowest option in the U.S. It's also specified on multiple wesites. Of course, we don't know if things will change within the next 8 - 9 months, but chances are they won't. This is supposed to be a model with emphasis on sport.<ul><li><a href="http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/GeneralFuture/articleId=117336">One source</a></li></ul>

3.2 maybe, but we'll just have to see.

Personally, I think there'll be a US 2.0T but maybe not the first year.

in the USA.

Log it.

RB

Well it was a good 6 months ago but fact that they are launching the A5 and S5 simultaneously is evidence to the fact that they have different intentions with this vehicle.

and the s5 supposed to compete with the m3?

A 6 cylinder with its current 255bhp would be a wasted effort. A 2.0t in it would be a joke.<ul><li><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/04/new-details-on-the-audi-a5/">http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/04/new-details-on-the-audi-a5/</a</li></ul>

Much closer to a 6-series competitor than a 3-series.

and then release the V6 model later. This would be similar to Porsche, which released the Cayman S and Cayenne S before their lesser models.

If the direct competitor is a CLK, it would be foolish not to release a model to compete with the CLK 350. It may also be that Audi is working on a new V6 that is not ready yet and could be introduced on the B8 A4.

If the point of this car was to be a super luxury V8 only, it would be called at least an A7 or A9 and be directed at the 6 Series or CL. It's not. Europe will of course get the whole range from the 2.0T and up. The US will definitely get the V6, and that's where the volume will be. There's a market for the V8, but it's not nearly as big. I'd also bet that there will be a 2.0T eventually, and I wouldn't be surprised if it did decent numbers. Just look at the numbers on the A4 Cabriolets - plenty of 2.0's at prices well into the $40s.

I would also not be surprised if it's introduced first as a V8, with the V6 to follow a few months later. My guess is this was done with the Q7 so as to have all the early views focus on how great the car is (i.e, in the Q7's case, NOT slow), with the only "flaws" being price and fuel economy. And the mags won't focus all that much on these things. A few months later, there won't be many reviews, and words like "not that quick" won't stand out. All relative terms here, but I'd guess this is the thinking.

There's some overlap where the loaded model of the lower line overlaps in $$$ with the base model of a higher class.
I think the A5 will cost more than equivalent-engined A4s but less then equivalent engined A6s. So, the V8 A5 should start at less than $50K.


CZ