Well, that's a tricky one. At first glance, the "all new" A6 looks exactly like the old one. Except for the heavy handed new front end, similar to the A8 V12. But then, you start noticing more. And more. Soon you realize, that the car is very different. And new enough to make the old one look, well, old...

The silhouette of the car is basically the same. But it is still very handsome. A much pleasant looking design than the new BMW, and more svelte than the Mercedes.

The rear view is a bit less original than before. And that chrome bar between the lights has a rancid Saturn LS taste to me. But this is still one of the cleanest, nicest looking mid size luxury cars around.

The engines are mostly similar to the old ones. A 3.2 Liter V6 with 255 hp, or a 4.2 Liter V8 with 335 hp. But the new one is a smaller 2.4 Liter V6 with 177 hp. Unless the A6 drops in price, I can't see that engine, as nice as it is, being an acceptable choice in the US for a $35 000 mid sized car. Besides, even the base A4 has now 180 hp...

Where the new A6 really shine, is inside. The interior is finally modern, and almost original. Until now, their interiors have been some of the most boring and old fashioned in the industry. Made with top quality materials, but boring. This changes everything, and it's about time. With interiors like the new Acura TL and lexus GS, Audis started to look seriously dated...

The car is longer and wider, as usual. And the transmissions are either a 6 speed Tiptronic automatic or a CVT.

That's right. The US will finally get the Audi A3. The all new redesigned model is based on the next generation VW Golf. A better and slightly larger platform that will be stretched for use in the next VW Passat.

The A3 will be available as a 2 or 4 door right from the start. The 1st generation was a 2 door only for years.

It definitely doesn't look like one of these cool, interesting European designs like the Mini Cooper or the new Renaults. It barely looks more modern than the previous generation introduced in 1996! A very boring and conservative design indeed. And a big disappointment for those who expected something daring, like the Steppenwolf show car from a couple of years ago.

If it doesn't look modern now, imagine what it will be like in 3 or 4 years...

The interior seems a little more modern. As usual for Audi, it is a mixed bag of every other design they have done before, and nothing really new. But also as usual, it seems of very high quality. Especially the door panels. But the console and general shape of the dashboard still looks like something from the early 80's. Round vents are the only "almost modern" touch.

Engines in the US should include the usual 1.8 Liter turbo with about 170hp, and tons of Turbo lag. And maybe the 3.2 Liter V6, good for 240 hp in Europe. There is also a new 2 Liter engine with 150hp that might make it over here.

Most Americans have never seen the old A3 anyway. So here it is. It still looks pretty nice if you ask me. And it is an 8 year old design. It makes the all new one even less of an achievement.