Audi A4 Third Generation 

 (2005–2008)

Production	2005–2008
Model years	2006–2008 2007–2008 (convertible)
Body style	4-door saloon/sedan, 5-door Avant (estate/wagon), 2-door Cabriolet
Platform	Volkswagen Group B7 (PL46) platform
Engine	petrol engines: 1.6L I4 1.8L I4 20v Turbo 1.8L I4 16v TFSI 2.0L I4 20v 2.0L I4 16v TFSI 3.2L V6 24v FSI diesel engines: 1.9L I4 TDI 2.0L I4 TDI 2.7L V6 TDI 3.0L V6 TDI
Transmission	5 speed and 6-speed Manual 6-speed ZF 6 hp Tiptronic 7-speed Multitronic
Wheelbase	2,648 mm (104.3 in)
Length	4,586 mm (180.6 in), Cabriolet: 4,573 mm (180.0 in)
Width	1,772 mm (69.8 in), Cabriolet: 1,777 mm (70.0 in)
Height	1,427 mm (56.2 in), Cabriolet: 1,518 mm (59.8 in)
Related	Audi S4 (B7), Audi RS4 (B7) SEAT Exeo

Audi's internal platform nomenclature uses PL46 (passenger car longitudinal platform, size 4, generation 6) for both B6 and B7 chassis. The Typ 8E and Typ 8H internal designations are also carried over from the B6 A4 range, but now have an additional identifying suffix – 8EC for the saloon, 8ED for the Avant, and 8HE for the Cabriolet.

Basic equipment

The basic equipment  standard across all versions of the Audi A4 Saloon (05-07).

The engine lineup received many additions. The 2005 introduction of Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) on the 2.0 TFSI and 3.2 V6 FSI petrol/gasoline engines, as well as other refinements, increased power output to 200 PS (147 kW; 197 bhp) and 255 PS (188 kW; 252 bhp), respectively. These engines both implement a four-valve per cylinder design. The prior 5-valve design was incompatible with the FSI direct injection system (due to the siting of the fuel injector, now discharging directly into the combustion chamber). The 2.0 Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engine now combines Pumpe Düse (Unit Injector) (PD) technology with 16 valves for the first time, while the larger 2.5 TDI V6 diesel was superseded by a 3.0 V6 TDI, offering a 204 PS (150 kW; 201 bhp) model during the year 2005 which was upgraded to a 233 PS (171 kW; 230 bhp) model in 2006. A 2.7 V6 TDI was added later.

Torsen T-2 based quattro permanent four-wheel drive remained available on most A4 models. Audi retired its 5-speed manual transmissions in favour of a new Getrag 6-speed. As before, multitronic continuously variable transmission (CVT), now with selectable 'seven-speeds', is available on front-wheel drive models, whilst a conventional ZF 6HP 6-speed tiptronic automatic transmission is available on the quattro four-wheel drive models.

In addition to the higher-performance Audi S4, which carried over the powertrain from the B6 S4 – Audi has reintroduced the ultra-high performance quattro GmbH developed Audi RS4 (RS for RennSport) to the lineup, for the first time on the saloon/sedan and Cabriolet body, and with a naturally aspirated, but high-revving 4.2 litre V8 FSI engine. Another notable inclusion on the RS4 is the latest generation Torsen T-3 quattro 4wd system, which uses a 'default' asymmetric 40:60 front-rear dynamic torque distribution bias. This new asymmetric centre differential was initially only available on the RS4, but was added a year later on the S4. The remainder of the B7 A4 range still utilised the T-2 50:50 default dynamic split centre diff.

A limited edition variant, developed by quattro GmbH, was first introduced in May 2005, named "Audi A4 DTM Edition". It was inspired from Audi's race cars of the 2004 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, and was reintroduced in 2006 as a regular option. The 2.0T FSI engine received revised software mapping to the ECU, which increased the output to 220 PS (162 kW; 217 bhp) and 300 N·m (221 lb·ft) of torque. It was available with front-wheel drive, or quattro four-wheel drive.

The B7 Cabriolet model arrived later than the other two body variants, with sales beginning in February 2006. New on the Cabriolet was an entry-level 2.0 TDI version, but to date, this is not being offered with the multitronic CVT gearbox.

In 2007 Audi introduced a limited edition of the B7 named the 'Special Edition', which built on the S-Line specification and also included the black optics pack, the RS4 style 8J X 18 ‘7-arm double spoke’ design alloy wheels, Two-tone Graphite/Black Volterra leather, 3-spoke sports leather/Alcantara multi-function steering wheel with gear knob and hand brake handle in Alcantara with silver stitching, Ventilated cross-drilled front disc-brakes, black tailpipes and black roof rails (avant model only). It also had a power increase of 20PS, giving an output of 220PS on the 2.0T model.

According to 2007 Swedish vehicle inspection data, the Audi A4 Avant with diesel engine is the most reliable vehicle available on the market, with vehicle inspection rejection rate of 0.0% in three year old category.

When its successor, the new B8 A4 range was introduced, the B7 series A4 was not destined for extinction – it was restyled and rebadged as the SEAT Exeo in 2008, with styling changes to the front and rear, also incorporating interior trim from the A4 Cabriolet. The entire Audi B7 A4 production line from Audis Ingolstadt plant was dismantled and sent to Volkswagen Group's related SEAT factory in Martorell, Spain