The first Audi A4 was launched in November 1994 and had an alias of Type 8D. The first generation Audi A4 was based on the Volkswagen Group's B5 platform same as the fourth generation VW Passat. Its engine was mounted at the front and was front-wheel-driven. For the first year, the Audi A4 was a saloon only, the estate model was launched in the following year. In Europe, it was available in many variants of engines; 1.6litre and 2.8 litre in petrols and a 1.9litre diesel engine with VW's VE technology. However in North America, until 1997, the only engine offered in Audi A4 was a 2.8 litre V6 engine.
Volkswagen Group's landmark 1.8 litre 20v engine was first introduced in Audi A4 and had five valves per cylinder, the turbocharged engine was capable of producing 148 bhp and 155 lb-ft of torque. In 1996, the whole family of V6 engines were mated with the same technology, starting with the 2.8 litre V6 that could now produce 190bhp. Audi's triptronic automatic gearbox also made its debut on the B5 platform. It offers the driver not only the conventional gearbox but also it has a torque converter that allows the driver to choose between fully automatic or manual operation.
The A4 received a facelift in 1997 and was known internally as B5. It made its first appearance in the Frankfurt Motor Show and the production followed in 1998. The 2.8 litre 12 valve was replaced by the 2.8 litre 30-valve V6 engine. The Quattro variant was powered by the 2.5 litre V6 TDI diesel engine. All of the engines were mated with a six speed manual gearbox as standard. The high performer Audi S4 was also added to the Audi A4 in 1998. Outside, many cosmetic changes were made to the body including new headlights and rear lights, door handles and other tweaks in the interior. The KKK K03 turbocharger was also revised, although it remained fundamentally the same, the turbine sides were updated to avoid cracking caused by the heat.
In 1999, once again the A4 and S4 platforms received further body tweaks like front and rear bumpers, the back and front lights and many changes inside the cabin like centre console etc. The main event was the launch of the an ultra high performance RenSport model, that replaced the RS2 and was named RS4 Avant. The RS4 was only available in the Avant body-sty, same as RS2. The Audi B5 A4 only managed to achieve three stars out five in the Euro NCAP crash test rating. In 1997, Audi became the first manufacturer to a hybrid car into series production with the launch of 3rd generation Audi duo. It was based on the Audi A4 Avant.
