Germany: New generation Audi A4 to debut at Frankfurt motor show
Wednesday, August 29, 2007, AutomotiveWorld.com
Audi has released images of the fourth-generation A4 sedan that it will launch at the Frankfurt motor show on 11 September.
The new Audi A4 is 4,703mm long and 1,826mm wide, which makes it 118mm longer than the previous generation A4, and 56mm wider. The wheelbase has increased, by 168mm, and is now 2,808mm. The front body overhang, on the other hand, has been reduced, compared with the current A4, while the bonnet is now longer.
As well as the expected single-frame grille, there are also optional Xenon headlights with what Audi refers to as "electrodeposited chrome wings". At the rear end, the body of the car tapers inwards and, according to the OEM, the drag coefficient is 0.27.
The interior, which is now 20mm longer, is claimed to have 36mm more knee room (now 908mm).The boot capacity is claimed to be 480 litres.
Audi says it will launch the new A4 with a choice of two gasoline and three diesel engines in European markets. The smallest is a turbocharged 1.8-litre I4 which delivers 158hp (118kW) and 250Nm (181 lb ft) of torque. Audi claims a 0-100km/h time of 8.6 seconds and a top speed of 225km/h for this engine. The engine has average fuel consumption of 14km/l, according to the OEM. This engine is mated to a choice of two transmissions, a six-speed manual or, from 2008, a multitronic CVT gearbox.
The other gasoline unit is a 3.2-litre V6 unit, delivering 261hp (195kW) with a torque rating of 330Nm (239 lb ft). Coupled with the six-speed manual gearbox, this engine can push the A4 to 100km/h in 6.2 seconds, with an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h, says Audi. The other gearbox option, from 2008, is a six-speed automatic. The OEM claims average fuel consumption of 10.8km/l for this engine, when mated to the manual gearbox.
The base diesel is a turbocharged 2.0-litre I4, capable of 140hp (105kW) and peak torque of 320Nm (231 lb ft). The engine is mated to either a six-speed manual or the multitronic CVT gearbox from 2008. An A4 with this engine can reach 100km/h in 9.4 seconds, with a top speed of 215km/h, according to the OEM. This engine is claimed to have average fuel consumption of 18.2km/l.
Above this, is the Euro 5 compliant 2.7-litre V6 TDI, with an output of 187hp (140kW) and 400Nm (289 lb ft) of torque. This is mated to a multitronic CVT gearbox. This engine, according to the OEM, is capable of 0-100km/h in 7.7 seconds, with a top speed of 226km/h. Audi claims average fuel consumption of 15.1km/l for the 2.7 V6.
The new 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine is the largest of the A4's diesel engines, capable of 236hp (176kW) and 500Nm (362 lb ft) of torque. With this engine option, the A4 has quattro permanent all-wheel drive. With a top speed of 250km/h, this engine enables the car to reach 100km/h in 6.1 seconds, the OEM claims. This unit is claimed to have average fuel consumption of 14.5km/l and is also Euro 5-compliant.
The car is to offer such features as an automatic parking system, lane assist, side assist and adaptive cruise control. Another feature on the new A4 is an electro-mechanical parking brake.
The fourth-generation Audi A4 is scheduled to go on sale in Germany by the end of November. There, the base version is expected to cost €26,000 (US$35,435). The new model will compete against its two main rivals, the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, as well as the Lexus IS, Volvo S60, Saab 9-3 and Alfa Romeo 159.
The new A4 uses the same VAG PQ47 architecture that was introduced by the Audi A5 coupe earlier this year. The forthcoming Volkswagen Tiguan and Audi Q5 SUVs are also expected to share this components set.
Published on Wednesday, August 29, 2007
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