Audi Announces 1999 Model Pricing
15 September 1998
Audi Announces 1999 Model Pricing - Only the Value is Increased ATLANTA, Sept. 14 -- Today at its Annual Dealer Meeting in
Atlanta, Georgia, Audi of America, Inc. announced that its 1999 model year
pricing would be unchanged from its 1998 model year levels. The only
increases announced were in the standard equipment levels over last year's
models. Given all the new standard equipment for 1999 and its decision not to
raise prices, Audi clearly remains the value leader in the classes in which it
competes.
Last June, Audi introduced the A6 Avant, its luxury touring wagon, to the
market as a 1999 model year vehicle. This Fall it is bringing the new A4
1.8 T Avant sport wagon to the United States to complement the A4 2.8 Avant
sport wagon it introduced a year ago. With these three models, Audi now
offers a full range of vehicles that offer increased versatility with all the
luxury and amenities one would expect from an Audi.
With its 2.8 liter five-valve V6 engine, five-speed automatic transmission
with Tiptronic(R)* and an exhaustive list of standard features, the A6 sedan
and Avant set a new standard among luxury touring cars. Both of these
automobiles offer a choice of three different interior environments, called
"Atmospheres," that owners can choose from at no extra cost to personalize
their definition of luxury. Standard amenities such as next generation front
airbag supplemental restraints, standard seat mounted front side airbags,
dual-zone climate control, a 140 watt stereo system with subwoofer, and a
split/folding rear seat only hint at the amenities contained in both A6s, the
new definition of prestige in the luxury touring class.
New standard equipment for 1999 on both the A6 sedan and Avant (with
September Avant production) are a larger right outside mirror, lockable
headrests for the front seats, fasteners added to the rear floor mats, a force
limiter added to the front seat belts, a first aid kit in the center rear
armrest and an upgraded tool kit. Added to the exterior color palette is
Tornado red, and a Vanilla with Onyx leather option has been added to the
"Ambiente" atmosphere. The A6's Warm Weather package has been optimized to
improve the performance of electronic accessories such as garage door openers
and electronic toll passes. The package now includes a solar sunroof (which
powers the ventilation system when the car is at rest to vent the interior)
and rear window sunshades. Rear heated seats have been added to the Cold
Weather package. For those who select the Convenience package, a Homelink
transmitter and outside auto dimming mirrors have been added to this package.
Manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the A6 sedan is only
$33,750 and $36,600 for the A6 Avant quattro luxury touring wagon. The A6 is
positioned between the A4 model range and Audi's luxury flagship, the A8.
Look for the A6 to compete with the likes of the Mercedes Benz E-Class and the
BMW 5-Series, as well as other European luxury sedans and wagons and those
from Japan and the United States.
With its award winning design, the 1999 A4 Avant now offers a choice of
engines. Customers can choose either Audi's 2.8 liter V6 engine with five-
valve technology, which delivers 190 horsepower at 6,000 revolutions per
minute and 207 lbs. ft. of torque at a low 3,200 rpm or Audi's 1.8 liter
turbocharged four-cylinder engine with five-valve technology, which delivers
150 horsepower at 5,700 revolutions per minute and 155 lbs. ft. of torque at a
low 1,750 rpm. Both Avants are true to the definition of a German sport wagon
offering maximum performance with added utility. A five speed manual
transmission is standard in each, or clients can opt for a five-speed
automatic transmission with Tiptronic(R). New for 1999 on both A4 Avants is a
standard rear child seat tether anchor.
The MSRP of the A4 Avants start at $26,440 for the A4 1.8 T Avant quattro
and $31,040 for the A4 2.8 Avant quattro.
Delivering on the promise of continuous improvement, all 1999 A4s,
including the Avants, now include remote locking, a larger right outside
mirror for improved visibility, lockable headrests for the front seats, a
standard first aid kit in the center rear armrest and a modified cup holder in
the center console as standard equipment. An optional sport steering wheel
with Tiptronic(R) shift controls is also available.
Additional choices have also been added to the A4 range. Two new exterior
colors, Jaspis green and Volcano black are available. There is also a
striking new Ecru/Onyx leatherette or optional leather interior added for
buyers who prefer Audi's "Advance" atmosphere. A4 1.8 T models also include
under hood insulation for improved sound characteristics.
For its A4 sport sedans, the MSRPs of the 1999 models remain unchanged at
$23,790 for the A4 1.8 T and $28,390 for the A4 2.8.
Introduced in the Fall of 1996, the A8 is Audi's all-aluminum luxury
flagship. The ground breaking Audi A8 employs a revolutionary aluminum space
frame body technology -- the Audi Space Frame (ASF) -- created in partnership
with aluminum pioneer, Alcoa. The result is a frame that's 40 percent lighter
than traditional steel frames and yet one that's stronger and safer.
For 1999, the A8's Warm Weather package has been optimized to improve the
performance of electronic accessories such as garage door openers and
electronic toll passes. The package now includes the standard equipment dual
pane laminated glass, in place of the previous insulated glass, a solar
sunroof (which powers the ventilation system when the car is at rest to vent
the interior) and rear window sunshades. There is also a larger right outside
mirror for improved visibility. Volcano black has been added to the exterior
color palette for the A8 and a premium leather/alcantara interior trim package
is now available. Other improvements include a standard CD changer, a
standard first aid kit located in the center rear armrest and an optional
17-inch performance tire for the more performance minded.
Available in two V8 equipped versions -- a front-drive A8 3.7 and an all-
wheel drive A8 4.2 quattro -- drivers command up to 300 horsepower and,
because of its light weight, do so without paying the gas guzzler tax. To
harness this power, a five-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic(R) is
standard.
With its aluminum body and its aluminum Audi Space Frame, the A8 sets the
standard for lighter, stronger, and safer technology in the premium luxury
segment. MSRP for the 1999 A8 3.7 is $57,400 and $65,000 for the 1998 A8 4.2
with its quattro all wheel drive systems.
For all models, destination charges remain unchanged at $500. As in prior
years, every Audi comes standard with the remarkable Audi Advantage. This
top-rated -- and sometimes imitated -- combination of warranties and
protection includes:
* Three-year/50,000 mile no charge scheduled maintenance.
* Three-year/50,000 mile limited new vehicle warranty.
* Twelve-year limited warranty against corrosion perforation.
* 24-hour Roadside Assistance for three years.
Through August, Audi sold 28,614 automobiles representing a 25.1 percent
increase over the same period last year when the total was 22,867. Last year,
Audi sold a total of 34,160 cars in the U.S. which was a 24.8 percent increase
over 1996.
1999 Audi Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP)
A4 1.8 T sedan $23,790
A4 1.8 T Avant quattro $26,440
A4 2.8 sedan $28,390
A4 2.8 Avant quattro $31,040
A6 sedan $33,750
A6 Avant quattro $36,600
A8 3.7 $57,400
A8 4.2 quattro $65,000
*TIPTRONIC is a registered trademark of Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche AG.
