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Audi A4 allroad quattro may be headed for the U.S. 
Audi is creating a ‘will they or won’t they’ saga that no one asked for. It showed of the first A4 allroad at the Geneva Auto Show, but we didn’t pay too much attention, because the company confirmed it wasn’t scheduled for the U.S. That didn’t surprise too many of us here because the original A6-based allroad wasn’t a hot seller and was discontinued in 2005. Now Audi may be too quick with its own decision. In an interview with Automotive News, Peter Schwarzenbauer, Audi AG board member for sales and marketing, said the company is seriously considering bringing the wagon/SUV/crossover to the USA market because regular SUVs are becoming less popular. "When we launched the A6 allroad the first time, it was still the high time of big SUVs," he said. "And I think it was hard for a new concept to compete against the SUVs. This might have changed in the last 12 months, so we probably have to reconsider what we do on the allroad side, whether it is A4 or A6." In Europe the A4 allroad quattro will be offered with a choice of three engines: 211 hp 2.0-liter TFSI, 170 hp 2.0-liter TDI diesel, and 240 hp 3.0-liter TDI diesel. Sales in there will begin in early summer at a price of €37,100 euros (or about $46,500 at the current direct rates.) knowing America’s fear of diesel, if the price remains well above $40k for North America, it’s likely a larger gasoline engine will be offered.
TDI Audi A4 by B&B The tuning firm B+B are making power in unlikely places. With the use of an upgraded turbocharger the German tuner is making up to 325 HP from the TDI Audi A4. Although those numbers may not seem astronomical, the amount of torque produced, 640 Nm (almost 475 lbft) should be enough to make you scared. Full story
Audi TT RS and A4 Allroad coming to Geneva
Audi will debut two car in Geneva: the TT RS and the A4 allroad. Next to them the company will also display the newly launched A5/S5 Cabriolet. We already knew the TT RS would be at the Geneva Motor Show, but its just nice to get official confirmation. Audi’s hottest TT model will likely use a turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter five-cylinder unit found in the Golf/Rabbit/Jetta, with which the TT already shares many components. The TT RS is expected to make 330 - 340 hp. By comparison, the next model downline, the TTS, makes 265 hp with its 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine. The TT RS should be good for a 0 to 60 time of about 4.5 seconds (0.5 quicker than the TTS.) Not to be dismissed at Geneva is the A4 Allroad. Audi’s Allroad program is one of the best (and first) examples of a crossover vehicle out there. It combines the car and SUV together in a package that’s more car (and thus, more fun) than almost anything else out there. Compared to a standard A4, the Allroad will be distinguished by a two-tone body kit with flared fenders, higher ride height, and off-road style front and rear bumpers.
2009 Audi A4 FrontTrak and Manual
Audi announced that the 2009 A4 line-up will be expanded with two new new models, one featuring front-wheel drive and one featuring a six-speed manual transmission. Both models will go on sale by early 2009 at a price of $31,000 for the Audi A4 2.0T FrontTrak sedan with multitronic CVT transmission and $31,850 for the 2009 Audi A4 2.0T quattro manual. The 2009 Audi A4 2.0T FrontTrak combines the advantages of the Audi 2.0 TFSI engine, which recently earned a spot on the 2009 Ward’s 10 Best Engines list, and the efficient multitronic continuously variable transmission, or CVT.  The A4 sedan now available with a six-speed manual transmission, offers a sporty driving experience for those who prefer to shift for themselves. The manual transmission is also paired with Audi’s efficient 2.0 TFSI engine along with Audi’s latest generation of quattro all-wheel drive featuring a rear torque bias for sporty handling. The result of the new front-wheel drive A4 powertrain combination is the best fuel efficiency in its class with an EPA rating of 23 mpg in city driving conditions and 30 mpg in highway driving. Full story
2009 Audi A4L
Audi revealed today the A4L (long-wheelbase version) on the Chinese market. The Audi A4L’s wheelbase is 2.36 inches longer, which benefits rear-seat passengers in particular. The A4L will be offered with a choice of two different engines: the 2.0 TFSI with 180 hp and the six-cylinder 3.2 FSI with 195 kW 265 hp.  The longer wheelbase lends the A4L an especially roomy feel and makes getting into the rear seats even easier. In addition, the longer wheelbase is of particular benefit to rear-seat passengers, who can enjoy legroom unparalleled in this vehicle segment. Thanks to the increase in length and high-quality technology, the A4L injects full-size class into the mid-size category. Press release after the jump. Full story
’Animal’ caught speeding on a German highway
2009 Audi A4 - highest federal crash test rating
Congratulations to the Audi A4. Not only are they the self-proclaimed car for normal people, but it also seems to be pretty safe if one of those crazy people runs into it. The 2009 Audi A4 gained U.S. government’s highest crashworthiness and rollover safety rating: 5-Star designation based on its performance in the New Car Assessment Program, or NCAP. U.S. law requires all passenger cars to pass a 30 mph frontal crash test and a 33.5 mph side crash test. Press release after the jump. Full story
2009 Audi A4 TDI concept e
Another model unveiled by Audi at the Paris Auto Show is the A4 TDI concept e that requires just 3.99 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (58.95 US mpg).  The heart of the sedan is a direct-injection 2.0-liter TDI diesel engine with output of 120 hp, just as for the A4 production models. From 1,750 to 2,500 rpm, the four-cylinder engine produces a constant torque of 290 Nm (213.89 lb-ft). The piezo injectors in the common-rail system inject the extremely finely atomized fuel at a pressure of up to 1,800 bar, and the special piston geometry provides ideal thermodynamics in the combustion chambers (in regular words: it runs smooth with little friction.)  The sedan sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 10.7 seconds, and accelerates from 80 to 120 km/h (49.71 to 74.56 mph) in 10.9 seconds. The A4 TDI concept e reaches a top speed of 206 km/h (128 mph). Audi is no stranger to diesel engines. It’s been available to European customers constantly, and it has been winning at LeMans with its R10 diesel racers. What is significant is that an oil-burning Audi will now begin to be available in the U.S. starting in 2009. Press release after the jump. Full story
Audi A4 - Auto Build’s most beautiful car of the year
It seems there may be a pattern developing at the German magazine Auto Bild. 42,000 of its readers voted the A4 as the most beautiful car of the year. In 2006 the title was won by TT and in 2007 by R8. The Audi Q5 won the off-road vehicle and SUV category this year. Being patriotic is one thing, but to call the A4 more beautiful than cars like the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione is just blasphemous . Now if this was a competition for reliability... Full story Audi A4 Allroad spy shots
Audi’s Allroad has always been based on the A6 Avant (wagon). But now spy photographers caught a new model testing at the Nurburgring: the A4 Allroad sedan. It’s been suggested that this is just a testing mule for the next generation of the wagon-based Allroad. After all, Subaru only has limited success selling a go anywhere four-door with its Outback Sedan (no longer sold in the U.S.) If it does reach production, the A4 Allroad will be placed between the Q3 and Q5 SUVs. Engines will be shared with the rest of the A4 range, and if Audi offers a version fitted with its new 2.0-liter common-rail TDI motor, then the A4 should be more economical and have less emissions than conventional SUV rivals.
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