The Audi plant in Ingolstadt produced the five-millionth Audi A4 earlier this week – an Audi A4 Avant 3.0 TDI quattro in Misano Red. This production milestone is the latest in a story that began in 1994 when the A4 model name was adopted. In the words of Frank Dreves, Member of the Board of Management for Production at Audi AG: “This is another major milestone in Audi’s history. All versions of the A4 are efficient, elegant and enjoy outstanding success in their class. Our highly motivated team and our effective Audi production system will keep this model on course for continued success in the future.”

Audi began production of the A4 model line at its Ingolstadt site in 1994, and since 2007 has also been building it at Neckarsulm as part of the production turntable. Today the A4 Sedan, A4 Avant, A4 allroad quattro, S4 Sedan and S4 Avant are manufactured in Ingolstadt; the A4 Sedan also leaves the assembly line in Neckarsulm. “The success of the entire A4 model family keeps our two main production plants fully occupied and safeguards the workforce’s jobs,” says Peter Mosch, Chairman of the General Works Council. “Audi owes this success to its employees, who have invested so much know-how, quality awareness and dedicated work in the A4.”

The A4 has earned numerous awards over the years, including the title of “best midsize car”, for the fourth year in succession, as voted by readers of the German car magazine auto motor und sport in January. Auto Bild car magazine and residual value assessor EurotaxSchwacke also chose the A4 as the midsize car with the highest value retention in its class in December 2010, awarding it the title of “Top Value for 2011″.

Source: Audi

The production version of the Suzuki Kizashi sedan was officially revealed yesterday in a special launch event in Detroit. Built at Suzuki’s new manufacturing plant in Sagara, Japan, the Kizashi will serve as the company’s flagship model when it arrives in US showrooms later this year. Available in both front- and all-wheel drive versions, Suzuki’s Mazda6 and VW Passat rival will initially be offered with a 2,4-litre four-cylinder engine linked to either a 6-speed manual transmission or optionally, a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

While the Japanese automaker did not disclose any output figures for the base four-cylinder engine, Suzuki did reveal that other powertrain options are also under development for the Kizashi including a fuel efficient hybrid version that will be added to the lineup in the very near future.

Built on a brand-new platform, the Kizashi features MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link setup in the back, with Suzuki supporting that the sedan will offer drivers “a dynamic and exhilarating driving experience”.

An Electronic Stability Program and anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution as well as the Suzuki-developed synergetic vehicle dynamic control system that assists drivers control will be offered as standard on the Kizashi.

Measuring in at 4 650 mm long, 1 820 mm wide and 1 480 mm high with a wheelbase of 2 700 mm, the Kizashi is roughly the same size as the latest generation Audi A4 Sedan.

Despite the fact that the Kizashi originated from the Concept Kizashi series introduced over the last two years, the production model’s styling is far less dramatic, which is a shame as the concept study featured an extremely well executed design that received positive reactions from European and US consumers alike.

As for the mid-size sedan’s interior, Suzuki’s designers crafted an elegant looking dashboard that features an Alfa-esque instrument panel with two deeply set gauges and an uncluttered center console.

More details as well as US prices are expected to be released closer to the sedan’s sales launch in December. Suzuki has yet to announce when the Kizashi will arrive in other international markets.

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Adapted from CarScoop