Audi takes 33,000 pre-orders for all-new A4

Although the all-new Audi A4 hasn't even hit the market yet, the German automaker has already taken 33,000 European pre-orders for the new sedan. The A4 has been available for test drives in certain European countries -- including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands -- for the past few days.

"At the time of market launch in the first European countries we already counted 33,000 customer orders," said Ralph Weyler, Member of the Board of Management at AUDI AG for Marketing and Sales. "The orders received and the impressive response from customers and the media have exceeded all our expectations. From our perspective, this is an extremely positive sign. As our most-sold model, the Audi A4 holds a special significance with respect to our ambitious goals." Audi plans to more than double its U.S. sales by 2018.

The new A4 will first hit showrooms in Spain and France in January, with a gradual roll out across the rest of Europe soon after.