Did audi really have to copy the rear of the new BMW 3 series coupe so exactly for their new A4/S4 ??? Too bad they did not show some originality...the tail lights are virtually the same...

<img src="http://www.audiworld.com/news/07/b8-a4-first-look/header4.jpg">

<img src="http://www.bmwworld.com/pics/3er/e90/4275_rear.jpg">

<img src="http://thecarsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/bmw-2-335i.jpg">

any other brilliant observations, mr. troll?

I am surprised Audi dumped the B7 taillight shape used on the A3/A4/A4 avant/A6 Avant so quickly. I would have guessed that they would evolve that shape.

they're not exact but every time I see the B8 tail I see BMW 3 series

I don't know about everybody else but I'm getting a little tired about posts about Audi copied BMW or what not. Take a look at this link:

<a href="http://www.baekdal.com/design/automotive/Audi-a5-s5-design/">http://www.baekdal.com/design/automotive/Audi-a5-s5-design/</a>

Look at the sketches and tell me what you see in the lower right of those sketches. Some say 2004, some say 2005.

Who's copying who?

Nobody.

I think the swoopy bottom character line that rises up is where many people are thinking BMW. But in fact, Audi had this line first, on the new A6 in 2005. So technically, BMW copied Audi.

or at best, "play it safe"? the design is handsome but it doesn't say Audi as much as it says BMW. As bold and risky as the new corporate grill was, that's how conservative/cowardly these new tail lights are. And for God's sake, where are the LED's!!!

and after studying architecture for 5 years, i'm not going argue about design with people who have never picked up a pencil.

If so, how could they have copied off of the BMW? I mean I could be wrong here but I thought they start designing these things way in advance.

With that said, isn't the A5/S5 and new A4 based off of the conecpt study of the nuvolari, which was produced before the BMW 3?

<img src="http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive/2006/04/07-audi-tt-design/Audi-Nuvolari-Concept-2-lg.jpg">

<img src="http://gallery.audiworld.com/albums/album285/A5070049_medium.jpg">
<img src="http://www.audiworld.com/news/07/b8-a4-first-look/header4.jpg">

it first came out a couple of years ago, the tail lights on the A5/S5 are a natural progression of the B7 tail lights and the A6 Avant tail lights. I would have liked to see the same use of LEDs on the A5/S5 as the A6, though.

<img src="http://www.audiusa.com/etc/medialib/cms4imp/audi2/aoa/product_my08/a6avantmy08/exterior.Par.0062.Image.jpg">

Now Acura seems to have a design closer to new Audis. Nobody has seen the car in the flesh and Im sure it looks disctinctive from the everyday BMW in person. We should be used to the trash talk when a new Audi is introduced. It happens every single time. B5 - B6 - B7 and now B8. Nothing new.

That's what I've been saying also. Even the interior of today's Audi has been based on the Nuvolari.

<img src="http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2000-2003/2003-Audi-Nuvolari-Quattro-Interior-1024x768.jpg">

And this was 2003, even further back than the first A5 sketch and eventually what the A4 design is based on.

The Nuvolari came out in 2002-2003. BMW has copied Audi. Most BMW drivers don't like to hear that

those tail design elements have been on cars for decades. Check-out a mid-80's Mitsu Galant. It's a design philosophy that former Audi head designer Walter de'Silva (from Alfa Romeo) prefers, which visually widens the tail of the car. You can see similar styling in his SEAT designs (like Toledo). This guy is now head of the entire VW design group and has brought in another Alfa guy to take over Audi designs, Wolfgang Egger, who designed the 8C. I can't wait to see the 8C design elements trickle into future Audis.

Geez....I am glad all you folks got all worked up with my opening statement but let's get real here...anyone who thinks these car companies do not steal from each other through spies, paid informants and/or disgruntled employees has their head in the sand....thanks for all your responses.....

If Audi did steal they still did a better job of using the design, that's for sure, the A5 and especially the S5 is gorgeous, once again, Audi showed BMW how it's done. Better yet, I take that back, do I even care what BMW is doing, not in the slightest, that's the beauty of Audi, Audi drivers aren't driving them to prove a point to anyone other than themselves.

I love Audi's understated beauty, it's a car for those that are in the know, and BMW for those who think they know.

To each his own, have your Bimmer, and I'll have and love my Audi.

See you on the road.

drives a BMW and one who drives an Audi. So much of it is a built up image... The Audi driver likes a good product but doesn't have to advertise it to the world. More proven by the impeccable interior that is enjoyed by the driver, and not visible for the outside world to see.

I go for bang for the buck...pure and simple.

largely an image thing from who I have studied and interviewed over the last twenty years here in L.A.