The Audi A4's new body shell is 10 percent lighter than the outgoing model, despite being much larger. Overall weight is up very slightly, but more efficient engines mean fuel economy is better across the board.
The final key area to address when attempting to compete with German luxury sedans is the drivetrain, something Audi decided to take a new and unique approach to for the latest model year. Gone are the multiple engine offerings, and in place of six and four-cylinder offerings is a single, 2.0-liter TFSI engine. This turbocharged four-cylinder engine is good for an impressive 211 horsepower from 4,300 to 6,000 rpm, and 258 lb-ft of torque from 1,500 to 4,200 rpm. Interestingly, despite having just one engine, there are three transmissions to choose from. The first is a six-speed manual transmission, good for a zero-to-60 jaunt of just 6.4 seconds, while returning 22 city, and 30 highway miles per gallon. This of course is mated to the sporty quattro all-wheel drive. Switching to the Tiptronic eight-speed transmission will lower fuel economy to 21 city, 29 highway, and add two-tenths to the zero-to-60 time. This model also features quattro all-wheel drive.
The final transmission option is the Multitronic CVT, which returns the best highway fuel economy of 31 mpg, with a city rating of 21, and the slowest acceleration time of the three at just 7.1 seconds. This is the only transmission to use FrontTrak front-wheel drive, not quattro all-wheel drive. The proportions have a new balance compared with the previous model: the front body overhang has been considerably reduced and the bonnet and wheelbase are now noticeably longer. A long, coupe-style roof line meets the side sections of the body at an almost invisible zero-gap joint. The car's wheelbase has grown to 110.6 inches, while interior space has increased by nearly an inch. Rear passenger knee room has grown 1.5 inches to a respectable 35.75 inches. Compare to the C-Class and 3-Series, the new A4's wheelbase is two inches greater.
The final key area to address when attempting to compete with German luxury sedans is the drivetrain, something Audi decided to take a new and unique approach to for the latest model year. Gone are the multiple engine offerings, and in place of six and four-cylinder offerings is a single, 2.0-liter TFSI engine. This turbocharged four-cylinder engine is good for an impressive 211 horsepower from 4,300 to 6,000 rpm, and 258 lb-ft of torque from 1,500 to 4,200 rpm. Interestingly, despite having just one engine, there are three transmissions to choose from. The first is a six-speed manual transmission, good for a zero-to-60 jaunt of just 6.4 seconds, while returning 22 city, and 30 highway miles per gallon. This of course is mated to the sporty quattro all-wheel drive. Switching to the Tiptronic eight-speed transmission will lower fuel economy to 21 city, 29 highway, and add two-tenths to the zero-to-60 time. This model also features quattro all-wheel drive.
The final transmission option is the Multitronic CVT, which returns the best highway fuel economy of 31 mpg, with a city rating of 21, and the slowest acceleration time of the three at just 7.1 seconds. This is the only transmission to use FrontTrak front-wheel drive, not quattro all-wheel drive. The proportions have a new balance compared with the previous model: the front body overhang has been considerably reduced and the bonnet and wheelbase are now noticeably longer. A long, coupe-style roof line meets the side sections of the body at an almost invisible zero-gap joint. The car's wheelbase has grown to 110.6 inches, while interior space has increased by nearly an inch. Rear passenger knee room has grown 1.5 inches to a respectable 35.75 inches. Compare to the C-Class and 3-Series, the new A4's wheelbase is two inches greater.
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