1995 Audi A4 -Trends

The Affordable Audi
Finally recognizing that German technology alone isn't always enough to sell a car, Audi is battling for a greater share of the U.S. market with an aggressive pricing strategy-and the new A4. This affordable entry-level model, which went on sale in Europe in November and goes on sale here in autumn 1995, will carry a pricetag of about $22,000-nearly $4000 less than the nine-year-old Audi 90 it replaces. It will continue, from a position of greater strength, the 90's difficult rivalry with BMW's 3-Series and Mercedes' C-Class cars. The four-door sedan will be followed about a year later by station wagon, coupe, and cabriolet variants.

On a new platform, the A4 is 1.2 inches shorter than its predecessor, but offers more cabin and trunk space thanks to better packaging, 2.6 inches of additional width, 2.3 inches of additional height, and a 1.2-inch-longer wheelbase. Track dimensions have been widened, and though the torsion-beam axle remains at the rear, the front adopts more sophisticated four-link suspension, similar in concept to the flagship A8's. This comprehensive makeover should substantially improve ride and handling as well as the A4's competitive position in the market.

Whereas entry-level-90 buyers are obliged to pay for V-6 power, the A4 range will begin with a 1.8-liter four. Making 125 horsepower, this is the world's first volume-production engine to have five valves per cylinder. The range also includes a turbo-charged 150-horsepower 1.8-liter and a 174-horse 2.8-liter V-6. These will drive the front-wheels, but the 4WD Quattro system will be available as a stand-alone option for an extra $1500 (previously, it was only available as part of a costly package).

Audi has instituted a similar pricing strategy for the entire '95 line. In the past, checking the Quattro option on the order form would tack an extra $6600 onto the price of a 90 Series and $8000 onto a 100. Henceforth, it will be a straight $1500 on all models. Audi expects this change to bump the mix of Quattros from its current 18 percent to upward of 40 percent. It was done in part to stem the tide of Audi owners defecting to sport/utility vehicles.

Across-the-board pricing cuts will lower the stickers of '95 Audis by an average of $4200 compared to their '94 counterparts as the firm retreats to the medium-price segment of the luxury market. As Gerd Klauss, vice president of Audi of America, puts it, "We want to be known as the European value leader in the U.S." The firm is looking to attain sales of 20,000 this year, which would represent a 43-percent boost over its '94 total.

New Sentra Steps Up To Tomorrow
Nissan's fourth-generation Sentra goes on sale this spring, and like many of its Japanese contemporaries, this popular front-drive four-door has moved up a notch in design, technology, and creature comforts. As the entry vehicle for Nissan's "three-sedan" U.S. marketing strategy, the new Sentra emulates many of the finer points found in its Altima and Maxima cousins.

Although the drivetrain is largely carryover, the 1.6-liter engine boasts numerous refinements. Horsepower is up from 110 to 115 at 6000 rpm in the DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder, thanks to reduced internal friction and a bump in compression ratio from 9.5:1 to 9.9:1. Other benefits include improved gas mileage (30/40 city/highway for the five-speed manual, 28/37 for the four-speed automatic), reduced emissions, and better reliability.