Assuming the upcoming ('04ish) A6 redesign will be significant enough to place it on the new C6 platform, I think we can expect the design to maintain classic Audi design elements, as well as a strong resemblance to the current model. This opinion is simply based on past design changes with new platforms from Audi in the past, specifically in the midsize C platform.

Fun photos:

B Platform:

B4:

<img src="https://www.audiworld.com/model/historical/94/pix/90.jpg">

B5:

<img src="https://www.audiworld.com/model/historical/96/pix/a4.jpg">

B6:

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/153/neua4blk.jpg">

C Platform:

C3:

<img src="https://www.audiworld.com/model/historical/91/pix/100.jpg">

C4:

<img src="http://imcuniverse.com/audi/p7202.jpg">
(hmm, that sure is a nice one...)

C5:

<img src="https://www.audiworld.com/model/s6/gallery/pressphotos/s6990001.jpg">

D platform:

D11:

<img src="https://www.audiworld.com/model/historical/94/pix/v8.jpg">

D2:

<img src="https://www.audiworld.com/model/a8/gallery/pressphotos/A8980006.jpg">

You can see from one perspective that Audi has designed their cars around the C platform, for the most part, with smaller and larger versions looking somewhat similar. But then you can always go back to the B platform and how the C platform redesign came in '92 when the B already looked like a scaled down C4. Before I get confusing here, the obvious links are the C4 A6/B5 A4, C4 A6/D2 A8, and now the B6 A4/C5 A6.

IMO, what we might expect is another generation of cars based on the C5 evolution (let's just say that was influenced by the TT, while we're at it ) before another radical change (like the C4 =&gt; C5 change pictured above). Before the next round of changes that probably won't deviate from the current design much (see B4 =&gt; B5 and C3 =&gt; C4), the A8 will probably be brought up to the new design, since the A6 and A4 are now set after the '02 changes. The '02 A6 changes are right in line with what was done with the C4 line, as well as the B5 A4 (1999.5) and D2 A8 (2000, I think).

I'd expect an even more modern-looking A6 when the redesign comes, but nothing as radical as the C4 =&gt; C5 change in '97/'98. That, I think, will come for what might be the C7 platform, after of course, the traditional facelift in the middle of production.

So, while we see spy shots, sketches, renderings etc, they aren't really going to tell us much. If history repeats itself, the next generation A6 will look something like the current A6 but even more modern. And, expect the new A8 to look like a big A4.

Bottom line is your cars will look pretty recent for many years to come, and mine will look more and more 'vintage'.

 

I like the continuity.

 

What is interesting is that while you call the C4-C5 change radical, try comparing the two Avant versions. They are much more subtle. I think the only radical thing in the design is the rear on the C5 sedan.
The most radical design thing Audi ever did was change from the 5000 in '82 to the 5000 (C2?) in '83.
Jim
93S4 (C4)