Riding on a new platform and with a look inspired by the Bauhaus design culture, the second generation of the Audi A4 was introduced in late 2000 at the Paris Motor Show.
By 2000, Audi already became a tough contender in the premium automotive market. The compact-segment was another area where it had to face stiff competition from the BMW 3-Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Its main advantages were the front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive systems, which were easier to use than the classic rear-wheel-drive systems.

The design was signed by Peter Schreyer, a former winner of the Audi Scholarship in the ’80s. Its name became famous for the TT model and that was an inspiration theme for him. The A4 was a mix between the TT and the big brother A6 sedan. The narrow headlights and high-mounted taillights were specific for the Audi models from that era. The curved and flat surfaces kept a clean design, but not a minimalist one.

Inside, the idea of the exterior was continued with a flat and curved dashboard with a tilted center stack. It was easier to reach by both front passengers, unlike the driver-oriented one found on the BMW. The “keep-it-simple” idea worked well but some critics said that it was simple and boring at the same time. At least, the interior arrangement allowed decent legroom for the rear passengers. The headroom was limited for tall passengers.

From the engineering point of view, the second generation of the A4 was based on the new, B6 (PL46), platform. It featured longitudinally mounted engines and front, or all-wheel-drive systems. The base model featured a 1.6-liter gasoline engine, while the top version was powered by a 220 hp 3.0-liter V6 engine. The A4 was offered with a 5- or 6-speed manual and automatic transmission.