theSteam

I see B8.5 B this B that... What is the "B" designation, if any, of a 2014 A5?

I have searched far and wide for this information, including a talk with an Audi salesman. Help!

ChipB

I wouldn't expect the typical salesman to know that - just as most BMW salesmen aren't aware of the E- or F- designation of their cars.

theSteam

ChipB, you sir, have my gratitude!

bilbo47

Simply put, B8 is the short form name for the platform (& version) the car is built on. All A4/S4/RS4 & A5/S5/RS5 cars are currently built on the B8 platform which started in the 2009 model year.

Somewhere around the 2013 model year, they rolled out a facelift, where the front and back lights and bumper got a little bit of an update and few other things -- but it was the same car -- so it's affectionately called a B8.5.

The previous A4 was a B7, and before that, a B6, and so on, and you can expect the next A4/A5 to be a B9 when it comes out.

snagitseven

A clarification: the B8 was intro'd for MY2009 in North America but for the ROW, it was MY2008.

theSteam

Thank you for the responses. Many aftermarket companies ask what the "B" platform is when looking for part/wheels etc.

mokotoy

Look through the Forums > Audi Models discussion forums to learn more. For A4's you'll see all the previous B platforms, A6's you'll see all the previous C platforms, and under A8's you'll see the D platforms.