[vestergirl]

Yay! Audi is FINALLY starting to release the 2016! Sheesh. Mine has been built and just "sitting" in Germany waiting for release - for weeks!

So today I see that the Audi USA website finally has gotten rid of the 2015 Q3 - which is GOOD because there aren't any!! And you can finally configure the 2016. It's the first really good look I've had at the ACTUAL vehicle that I ordered. Still NOT crazy about that glossy black grill - and what's with the HUGE vents? They just look silly. I don't understand why a classy car wouldn't have painted surfaces instead of huge black vents on either side of the grill.

So now that the configurator is there...does this mean the ones that are built and ready to go will be released to ship?

 

[rnlabas]

Yay! Audi is FINALLY starting to release the 2016! Sheesh. Mine has been built and just "sitting" in Germany waiting for release - for weeks!

So today I see that the Audi USA website finally has gotten rid of the 2015 Q3 - which is GOOD because there aren't any!! And you can finally configure the 2016. It's the first really good look I've had at the ACTUAL vehicle that I ordered. Still NOT crazy about that glossy black grill - and what's with the HUGE vents? They just look silly. I don't understand why a classy car wouldn't have painted surfaces instead of huge black vents on either side of the grill.

So now that the configurator is there...does this mean the ones that are built and ready to go will be released to ship?

The 'huge vents' are a styling exercise, prolly to emulate big brake ducts (that aren't and don't need to be there). As for the gloss black grill, the 2015s had it too and is becoming the standard Audi fare.

Lastly as for Distribution Hold, I'd still count on about the 3rd week of this month, there are STILL about 100 2015s coming between now and then ... My local dealer has about 4 now and at least that many on the way.

 

[vestergirl]

Hmmmmmph. Well I sure would like to know how it's possible for 100 (or ANY) 2015s to still be coming. I wanted to order a 2015 in EARLY APRIL and was told production ceased in MARCH. So how is it that now, in July, there are still 2015s coming off the production line? Something is not right here and I'm getting annoyed (with the Audi process and Apple-like proprietary B.S.).

 

[Ohio Joe]

Hmmmmmph. Well I sure would like to know how it's possible for 100 (or ANY) 2015s to still be coming. I wanted to order a 2015 in EARLY APRIL and was told production ceased in MARCH. So how is it that now, in July, there are still 2015s coming off the production line? Something is not right here and I'm getting annoyed (with the Audi process and Apple-like proprietary B.S.).

Vestergirl, I understand your frustration however you have you consider that if production stopped in March (lets say March 15) and they take 3 months to make or at least to work their way thru the pipeline (ours took over 3 months) then that would take you to Mid June the the last ones would just be getting here. The production line is probably popping out the 2016's now but the ones coming off of the line today wont probably arrive here for another month... Not that this really helps you but I hope that it may ease the pain...

Again, It stinks but most of us, at least the ones who ordered their Q3's, have had a similar experience....

Hang in there, What's that Coldplay song...? Hum, Cant remember but I can tell you that the shine hasn't even begun to dull much less wear off....

 

[vestergirl]

Wow, I just never knew when I started this Audi process that it would be so difficult. That Tiguan is starting to look really good...

 

[BobInPa]

Has anyone else done a side by side Configurator comparison of a 2016 Premium Plus and a Prestige?

There is considerable difference between the bumpers of the two trim levels. The PP front has much smaller empty cavities and completely different headlights. The PP rear looks cleaner, more like the 2015. The PP is also missing some sort of bling on the fender just ahead of the front door.
On a whole I prefer the look of the PP. But since I couldn’t figure out how the “All-weather lights” worked on a Prestige, I really can’t figure out how they work on a PP. I would prefer separate fog lights to the bigger and biggest empty cavities. I’ll bet those headlights, either one, would cost a bundle to replace.

I’ve always been a find a car you really like and keep it until the wheels fall off guy (2003 BMW 330 Convertible and 2003 VW B5.5 Passat 1.8T Variant). But with today’s ultra complex electronics, transmissions and engines I’m beginning to think that leasing (under warranty) may be the way to go.

 

[Ourob0r0s11]

The premium plus doesn't have the S-Line package, nor does it have the option to add it. The prestige model comes with the S-Line package standard, and doesn't offer the option to remove it.

 

[rnlabas]

The premium plus doesn't have the S-Line package, nor does it have the option to add it. The prestige model comes with the S-Line package standard, and doesn't offer the option to remove it.

...and this is one of the "big" visual differences we didn't have in 2015 cars.

 

[rnlabas]

Wow, I just never knew when I started this Audi process that it would be so difficult. That Tiguan is starting to look really good...

I'll add a sorry for your feelings too, but your ABS was aware of how the 2016s were to roll out and should've told you not to expect your car before mid-late July regardless when it was built - or ordered for that matter. No 2015s were made whilst 2016s were in production, but early 2016s went first to the EU. The 2015s coming now are just normal pipeline production and distribution. It's still only 12 weeks or so from March, so that should be no real surprise. Remember most 2016s come out in Sept, so July is pretty good. I think you must've just got bad dope from your ABS and that's just been compounded along the way...

You're STILL gonna LOVE your new car !!!

 

[vestergirl]

Agreed, not crazy about the front end of the Prestige. But if you go PP, then you have to ala carte things, and some things aren't even available on the PP.

I wonder why Audi thought making the front end of this model "blingy" was a good idea.

Frustrating.

 

[rnlabas]

They responded to BMW's new design language that integrated the headlight extension into the grill with this trend. I think-hope it dies off next round. The home market gets even more bling - chrome side pieces etc. yuck - perhaps its to satisfy the Chinese market where extra chrome abounds on every surface turn. Similarly the high end cars get rectangular exhaust extensions ala BMW and Mercedes too - I don't like them either and really don't like Audi playing follow instead of lead on either of these trends...

The used to have a marketing saying that said "Never follow" - wish they still used that too.

 

[Quatto]

They responded to BMW's new design language that integrated the headlight extension into the grill with this trend. I think-hope it dies off next round. The home market gets even more bling - chrome side pieces etc. yuck - perhaps its to satisfy the Chinese market where extra chrome abounds on every surface turn. Similarly the high end cars get rectangular exhaust extensions ala BMW and Mercedes too - I don't like them either and really don't like Audi playing follow instead of lead on either of these trends...

The used to have a marketing saying that said "Never follow" - wish they still used that too.

That's something I think depends on how well it caters to future design, so who knows maybe they can build off of that new design feature and we'll see it last at least a couple decades!

 

[Ourob0r0s11]

Many companies seem to be going in the same direction as far as grill design language goes, put together some combination of: 1. superman-ish shape grill 2. chrome surround connecting grill to headlight 3. horizontal chrome or satin stripes through grill.

here are a few examples

 

[rnlabas]

Many companies seem to be going in the same direction as far as grill design language goes, put together some combination of: 1. superman-ish shape grill 2. chrome surround connecting grill to headlight 3. horizontal chrome or satin stripes through grill.

here are a few examples

Never Follow, huh?

 

[Quatto]

Many companies seem to be going in the same direction as far as grill design language goes, put together some combination of: 1. superman-ish shape grill 2. chrome surround connecting grill to headlight 3. horizontal chrome or satin stripes through grill.

here are a few examples

Even more of a reason why I think it will last long, its taking up THAT much of an effect.

Any brand that can work it into their design will do it from how it seems.