The B5 S4 was 176 inches long
The B6/7 S4/RS4 was 181 inches long
The B8 S4 is 186 inches long.
If 4-5 inches at a time seems like no big deal, on a car, it’s a mile. For the last 3 generations of the ‘4’ it has grown at an alarming rate. When I first drove B8s the first thing that struck me was how big the car felt. More like an A6. That’s because the only A6 I had driven much of to that point was the C5 A6…which was only 2" longer than the B8!
Anyway I like a small, tight tossable car. That’s why I love the B7 S4/RS4…basically to me it feels just right. The E9X M3 is about the same size. An M5 or S6 while nice, are just too big. So too is the B8 (to me).
So, I find this car pretty interesting. The new A3 sedan, which will be coming to the USA (although we will lose the hatchback). Hopefully a 2.5 turbo version shows up as well, in RS guise. Would be a fun 1M fighter to own.
The red car below is the A3 sedan concept at the Geneva auto show last year. Looks fantastic.
[quote]The 2014 Audi A3 appears to be a cool and classy-looking luxury ride. But if you’re hankering for a hatchback, you’d better not wait for the new model. The next A3 is coming to the U.S. only in sedan format, whereas the 5-door hatchback continues to be offered in Europe. Rubbing some salt in the wound is the fact that the A3 sedan is arriving only after the hatchback goes on sale in other markets.
Coolly Seductive
Like it or not, in the States many consumers think a hatchback layout is more befitting an economy car. While we’ll miss the functionality of the A3 hatchback, these illustrations of the A3 sedan indicate that this little Audi sedan is going to be a looker. The lines are solid and very, well, Germanic in appearance. Sculpted sides and subtle fender flares add a nice touch of aggression to the handsome exterior.
Audi served up an A3 concept sedan during last year’s Geneva Auto Show. At 174.8 in. overall, the Audi A3 (concept) sedan is approximately 6 in. longer than the current A3 wagon. While the show-car had some razzle-dazzle features – like a 408-bhp 5-cylinder engine and chrome-intensive grille – it seems likely these proportions will carry-over into production models.
A3 sedans bound for the U.S. will probably feature a choice of two 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engines, one gasoline- and one diesel-fueled. A hybrid and even an electric-powered variant are also expected to join the lineup. A 7-speed S tronic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive will be available, though front-wheel drive and a 6-speed manual will almost certainly be fitted to base models. Audi builds some great interiors, so expect the A3 cabin to include plenty of high-quality materials in a business-class level of refinement and comfort.
The entry-level price for the A3 sedan will fall somewhere around $30,000, and U.S. sales should begin sometime in early 2013 (for the 2014 model year).
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http://wot.motortrend.com/files/2011/03/a3-concept-front-three-quarter-623x389.jpg
http://www.carfab.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Audi-A3-sedan-concept.jpg
http://www.autoguide.com/gallery/gallery.php/d/342355-4/IMG_7504.JPG
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/audi-a3-sedan-concept-geneva-2011/#photo-3927491/
