The Audi A4 B5 saw nearly constant minor changes and alterations throughout its

seven-year run. Moreover, a significant facelift was introduced for the 1998 B5
model year at the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show, with sales beginning in Europe in
early 1998. The 2.8-litre 30-valve V6 engine replaced the 2.8-litre 12-valve. A
2.5-litre V6 Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engine with 150 PS (110 kW;
148 bhp) was standard on the Quattro. A six-speed manual gearbox was available, as
well as the new high-performance Audi S4, now part of the A4 lineup (the previous
S4 had been an Audi 100). Cosmetic updates included new rear lights, headlights,
door handles, and another minor exterior/interior changes.

In mid-1998, the 1.8 20vT engine available outside Europe had its power output
raised to 170 PS (125 kW; 168 bhp). The previous KKK K03 turbocharger, although
fundamentally unchanged, received revisions on the turbine side to prevent cracking
due to heat.[citation needed] The 12-valve V6 was replaced by the 30-valve unit
which had been available in Europe for two years.

A further facelift took place across the A4 and S4 platform in February 1999 as a
1999.5 model; changes were largely cosmetic but affected many components, such as
both front and rear bumpers, the front and rear lights, the center console, and
door handles.[13] This facelift was known at Audi as a Grosse Produktaufwertung
(Major Product Upgrade), as was also signified by facelift cars now carrying the
denomination "8D2".

In 1999 Audi also debuted an even higher performance RennSport model (rennsport
literally translates as racing sport), the RS4 Avant, like its predecessor RS2,
available only in the Avant bodystyle.