Here is Germany's Auto Motor und Sport article shedding light on the Next A6.
12-21-2002, 08:55 AM
#11
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 720
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Repost: X'mas present for Chuck... next BMW 5 series pics (real)
This is the unfinished 5 series test car so you have to imagine 17" wheels and tires, shiny paint and extra trimmings. Altho this looks like the final version, possibly some design features have been masked by black paint. Most BMW "pics" out now resemble this test car very closely, except their tailight colors are the same clear glass/red as current 5 series. Car versions/engines in Europe to include 545, 535, 530, 525 and 520.
Love it or hate it, this BMW is probably Chris Bangle's safest design to date. Some German mags are actually saying decent things about this design (BMW probably parked a few stretched 745xxxLi cars next to the 545 prototypes).
Well, have to see this car in real life before jumping to conclusions. I bashed the 745 to a pulp, but this car may possibly be a winner, albeit a polarizing one. Certainly unlike any other luxury car out there at the moment. Of course, if one looks hard enough, anyone can imagine that any car resembles something of another car.
If you want to see its backside, here it is:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/members/Alex/e602.jpg
And a more finished version from front:
http://bilder.autobild.de/bilder/1/18076.jpg<ul><li><a href="http://www.bimmerfest.com/members/Alex/e601.jpg">http://www.bimmerfest.com/members/Alex/e601.jpg</a</li></ul>
Love it or hate it, this BMW is probably Chris Bangle's safest design to date. Some German mags are actually saying decent things about this design (BMW probably parked a few stretched 745xxxLi cars next to the 545 prototypes).
Well, have to see this car in real life before jumping to conclusions. I bashed the 745 to a pulp, but this car may possibly be a winner, albeit a polarizing one. Certainly unlike any other luxury car out there at the moment. Of course, if one looks hard enough, anyone can imagine that any car resembles something of another car.
If you want to see its backside, here it is:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/members/Alex/e602.jpg
And a more finished version from front:
http://bilder.autobild.de/bilder/1/18076.jpg<ul><li><a href="http://www.bimmerfest.com/members/Alex/e601.jpg">http://www.bimmerfest.com/members/Alex/e601.jpg</a</li></ul>
12-21-2002, 09:21 AM
#12
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 720
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Actually, latest head-on pic of A6 I've seen resembles more the new A8 grille
it looks quite prominent and "gaping"...
just imagine the grille raised forward to bumper level, the vertical chrome borders joined and the bumper section colour matched with fins.<ul><li><a href="http://www.kak.net/audi/audia8/audia8ny04s.jpg">http://www.kak.net/audi/audia8/audia8ny04s.jpg</a</li></ul>
just imagine the grille raised forward to bumper level, the vertical chrome borders joined and the bumper section colour matched with fins.<ul><li><a href="http://www.kak.net/audi/audia8/audia8ny04s.jpg">http://www.kak.net/audi/audia8/audia8ny04s.jpg</a</li></ul>
12-21-2002, 11:55 AM
#17
AudiWorld Super User
Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,005
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One question
Wouldn't Pitschtrieder be hurting VAG sales in the future by keeping the same car platforms for 12 years instead of the current 6-8 years? Sounds like corporate suicide to me.
12-21-2002, 03:51 PM
#19
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 720
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is a concern from a customer standpoint, if basic platform is "incompetent" and can't be
refined or even salvaged. In other words it needs to be dumped, but company policy retains it. You're right... in this case it is suicide.
If the basic plaform is excellent, it may just require certain components/modules to be refined, more or less depending on car. This may work for high volume, less performance-oriented car models and low-cost brands such as Skoda. Pischetsrieder also mentioned refreshing the car design (the skin) more frequently on top of this longer-term platform/structure. After all, there are many customers who are attracted to design and skin, and are less cognizant of handling and feel of a car. This strategy will reduce costs, and may work for VAG as long as sales revenue is not affected.
But how many cars in VAG's line up can apply this strategy? I can't see it working for model groups such as the A8, A6 or even A4, especially in brands such as Audi, where the competitor's new models may fundamentally change the rules of the game. And it has to enable the development of RS and S variants.
For that matter, how many cars built in 1990 still have the same platform today? Not quite 1990 or still in production, but the McLaren F1 comes to mind as a technically competent platform with staying power.
A 12 year plaform has to be exceptionally design and be a class leader ahead of time in its early years. Is the next A6 going to reflect this strategy? If so, wow... something to look forward too.
If the basic plaform is excellent, it may just require certain components/modules to be refined, more or less depending on car. This may work for high volume, less performance-oriented car models and low-cost brands such as Skoda. Pischetsrieder also mentioned refreshing the car design (the skin) more frequently on top of this longer-term platform/structure. After all, there are many customers who are attracted to design and skin, and are less cognizant of handling and feel of a car. This strategy will reduce costs, and may work for VAG as long as sales revenue is not affected.
But how many cars in VAG's line up can apply this strategy? I can't see it working for model groups such as the A8, A6 or even A4, especially in brands such as Audi, where the competitor's new models may fundamentally change the rules of the game. And it has to enable the development of RS and S variants.
For that matter, how many cars built in 1990 still have the same platform today? Not quite 1990 or still in production, but the McLaren F1 comes to mind as a technically competent platform with staying power.
A 12 year plaform has to be exceptionally design and be a class leader ahead of time in its early years. Is the next A6 going to reflect this strategy? If so, wow... something to look forward too.
12-21-2002, 04:02 PM
#20
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 720
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Unfortunately, worse... The single grille looked too large, stark and angular. Much
like how I described the new A8's grille earlier from a head on view. On A8, the double radiator grill set back from the bumper doesn't make the grille seem oversized. But as one grille on A6 pic, it looked too prominent and oversized. And the car shape from that front angle looked more boxy than expected.
This is from the Auto Motor und Sport early Nov cover pic. Seems similar as design of the blue car in other AMuS pics. Maybe the front is the worst angle for this design.
Personally, I would mind seeing a radiator grille (none of these are really "Auto Union" in shape), but it has to be designed right or it can look awful.
This is from the Auto Motor und Sport early Nov cover pic. Seems similar as design of the blue car in other AMuS pics. Maybe the front is the worst angle for this design.
Personally, I would mind seeing a radiator grille (none of these are really "Auto Union" in shape), but it has to be designed right or it can look awful.