Audi will introduce the new Audi S4 and Audi S4 Avant at the Paris Auto Show that starts next month, with the cars available in the first half of 2009 in the UK.
The new Audi S4 will be powered by a 3-litre engine V6 with direct fuel injection and supercharger , delivering a total of 333hp and accelerates from 0-62mph in 5.1s and fuel consumption is 9.7litres/km. Audi chose to supercharge the new power plant to ensure better response than using turbochargers.
The new V6 is both cleaner and more efficient than the old V8, returning 29.1mpg on the European combined cycle (compared to the previous Audi S4’s 21.2mpg Euro-average.) No CO2 figures have been released yet, but they are certain to be significantly better than the old car’s 321g/km.
Audi’s new dual-clutch seven-speed transmission combines dynamic and efficiency. With the new seven-speed S Tronic transmission the driver will have the options of driving in full automatic mode or changing gears directly with the shift lever or a third option of selecting gears with paddles in the steering wheel.
Other options include the high tech dynamic steering, the sport differential and adaptive control for the shock absorbers. Both the Audi S4 and The S4 Avant are equipped with Quattro permanent all-wheel driving system and safety is guaranteed by the ESP stabilization program. The new design gives the Audi S4 and Audi S4 Avant a strong athletic look, thanks to the new aluminium look side mirrors, side panels, 18" light-alloy wheels with the S4 logo, restrained spoiler at the back, xenon plus headlights and the quadruple exhaust system.
Inside the driver will find sports seats with the S models logo, a deluxe automatic air-conditioning and state of the art technology package, including MMI operating system, top quality sound systems, two navigation systems, Ipod interface and Bluetooth.
In a display of confidence, Audi is putting the reputation of its TDI (turbo charged direct injection) clean-diesel technology to a marathon, and highly public, endurance test.
Audi USA is planning to drive a fleet of 23 cars from the Audi Q7, Audi Q5, Audi A4 and Audi A3 lines, all powered by TDI diesel engines, from New York all the way to Los Angeles. The Audi Q7, Audi Q5 and Audi A4 will all feature the new 3.0L TDI V-6 engine, while the Audi A3 will sport the 2.0L TDI inline-four-cylinder. All of the cars will feature Audi’s ultra-low emissions system, which the company reduces nitrogen oxides by 90%.
A quick check on Google maps puts this at 2,776 miles (4,470 km). But that’s not good enough for Audi, they’re planning detours through several major cities, including Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, and several natural wonders including Badlands National Park, Grand Canyon and Death Valley, for a total of 4,800 miles (7,700 km). Not only that, but they plan to do this in just two weeks.
There is a serious point to all this – as well as raising the profile of diesel as a fuel efficient power plant in the USA. The route comprises a realistic mix of urban and rural driving on highways and country roads under conditions that come close to everyday driving. In essence, Audi are making a serious attempt to test reliability and actual fuel efficiency under real-world driving conditions.
The fleet will leave New York on 5th October and assuming all goes to plan, will arrive in Los Angeles on 20th October. It should be interesting to see how well they do.
 |
|
|
| The new Audi TT 2.0TDI has been awarded a coveted five-star rating in the latest edition of the car buyer’s bible What Car? Reviewers stated that the new diesel model was a superb addition to the TT range and one of the best coupé buys on the market.
Powered by the 168bhp 2.0-litre unit the new addition to the range does over 50mpg and attracts a lowly 18 per cent company car tax rating. However, it can still embarrass many a hot hatch, blasting you to 62mph in just 7.5 seconds.
“The engine uses the latest common-rail direct-injection technology, so it revs quickly, and builds speed smoothly and swiftly as you accelerate up through the gearbox. Even when it’s being trashed, it stays hushed and rattle free”, said the What Car? testers.
The review is published in the October edition of What Car? now on sale.
“It revs quickly, and builds speed smoothly and swiftly as you accelerate up through the gearbox. Even when it’s being trashed, it stays hushed and rattle free.”
What Car?
|
|
|
Comparecontracthire.com says Audi is By far the most popular brand with small fleets, representing more orders received than any other. The most popular model is the Audi A4 2.0D which offers four door practicality and some brand equity with the neighbors..
Robert Wastell MD of comparecontracthire.com comments on the popularity of 2.0 litre diesels (the top 5 cars in their survey were all 2.0 litre diesels ):
“SMEs (Small to Medium Enterprises) obviously want something that gives them status, but the popularity of diesel shows that they obviously have costs in mind when choosing a company car.”
Audi Nationwide have 58 plate Audi A4 2.0D Contract Hire from £294/Month.
