MOTOR SPORT: Audi

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Thursday, November 4, 2010

Audi RS4 Avant

Audi RS4 rendering

Downsizing engines and adding forced induction is the new wave in fuel economy engineering as companies strive to maintain performance levels and the latest reports indicate Audi is leaping into the ring with both feet, lopping two cylinders from its mighty RS4 sedan and replacing them with a supercharger. Enthusiasts may lament the loss of the extra pots, but purists will relish the return to six-cylinder forced induction.

The next-generation RS4 will reportedly feature a 3.0-liter supercharged V-6--the same basic unit found in the somewhat tamer S4, though it will no doubt be in higher tune in its RS application. The outgoing generation RS4 is powered by a 4.2-liter V-8 rated at 414 horsepower. Power figures for the new engine aren't yet known, but the new supercharged V-6 is expected to be thoroughly sporty.

Adding the requisite power bump in the next-generation RS4 model would place output on par with the V-8 model, and thanks to the supercharged induction, a very wide torque band would be available from an even lower RPM--all ingredients for very strong performance.

The new and chilling announcement of the Audi RS4

The original Audi RS4 featured a forced-induction V-6, though it was a twin-turbo unit generating 261 horsepower from its 2.6L displacement. Efficiency ratings of forced induction technologies have advanced somewhat since the first twin-turbo RS4 was built in late 1999 and the addition of twin-turbos or any dual-charging system to the current RS4 has been dismissed as prohibitively complex and expensive for the gains over a single supercharger design.

Whether Audi will actually follow through with the return to a forced-induction six-cylinder or not remains to be seen, but with impending fuel and emissions standards tightening around the world, even the high-performance luxury carmakers will have to change to keep fleet averages in line. No word yet on a release date but in the meantime, check out our latest computer-generated rendering which gives us an early look at the aggressive lines Audi’s designers have planned for the new RS4.

Audi RS4 will introduce the A4 Cabrio in Geneva

Friday, October 29, 2010

Audi A4

audi a4 review

Audi A4 - What the Auto Press Says

The 2010 Audi A4 ranks 7 out of 15 Upscale Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 18 published reviews and test drives of the Audi A4, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

Redesigned just last year, the Audi A4 is a viable alternative to the BMW 3-Series. Buyers looking for a sporty entry-level luxury sedan should test drive an all-wheel-drive A4 before making their decision.

The Audi A4, redesigned from the wheels up for 2009, enters the 2010 model year with no significant changes. It remains a fun car to drive, with sharp handling and a firm stance courtesy of its Quattro all-wheel-drive system (optional, but Audi says more than 80 percent of buyers opt for it). Audi's adjustable suspension, which allows the driver to electronically change the car's tuning for aggressive cornering or quiet commuting, is particularly well-reviewed. The combination, Consumer Guide says, means the A4 "adeptly balances around-town maneuverability with sporty road manners."

Shoppers should note that the A4 is the largest sedan in the midsize class - which means it's an opportunity for some buyers of more expensive luxury sedans (like the Lexus GS) to downsize and save some money. However, the A4's price can climb north of $40K with all of the options -- and you'll want most of them.

Audi is known for some of the best interiors in the automotive businesses, and the A4 offers an excellent example of why.

Other Cars to Consider

Those looking for an athletic sport sedan would do well to compare the A4 to the BMW 3-Series, which some say out-hustles and out-handles Audi's car. Those for whom All-Wheel-Drive is essential might want to consider an AWD Infiniti G37, which offers an exceptional balance of luxury and performance. The Acura TL, in SH-AWD trim, is another excellent AWD option.

Audi A4: The Details

The 2010 A4 comes as a sedan, an Avant wagon, or the more off-road-oriented Allroad wagon, in 2.0 or 3.2 trim. We review the wagons separately. Buyers should note that the A4 Cabriolet convertible has been dropped from the lineup, with a sportier 2010 A5 Cabriolet taking its place.