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No Audi A4 hybrid for USA
 
It first was no hybrid version for the Q7 for the US market, and now new A4 hybrid will get the same fate. And all because of the plummeting value of the dollar. Audi USA communications director Jeff Kuhlman explained that the cost of homologating the hybrid system on both vehicles would likely not be offset by anticipated sales of the hybrids. As a result of low volumes and the unfavorable exchange rate, the prices would be too high to make business sense. Instead Audi is planning to offer the A4 with the same 3.0l diesel V6 that is to be used in the Q7 and VW Touareg. That engine is already being certified and has economies of scale so that it makes business sense. At the same time it will provide a significant boost in fuel efficiency compared to the gas V6 that is also available.
This week in brief
Here are top 10 most important news of the week: 2009 Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe2009 Alfa Romeo 8C SpiderAlfa GT Blackline III2009 Lancia DeltaAudi A4 Avant2009 Volvo XC60Fiat 500 AbarthRenault Laguna GT2009 Maybach Landaulet - production versionTechArt GTstreet Convertible.
2009 Audi A4 Avant
Audi will unveil at the Geneva Motor Show the Avant version of the all-new A4. Sales will begin in Spring, at a price starting €27,550 for the Audi A4 Avant 1.8 TFSI Attraction. The A4 Avant will be offered with five engine types to begin with: two gasoline engines and three diesel engines with an output between 143 hp and 265 hp. A new TDI engine that will develop 170 hp will be added later.  The new 3.2 FSI is the most powerful engine that comes with the new A4 Avant. It has an output of 265 hp and reaches 330 Nm (243.40 lb-ft) of torque between 3,000 and 5,000 rpm. It powers the A4 Avant from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in just 6.4 seconds and on up to a top speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph). At the same time, fuel consumption has dropped by 1.5 liters. The 1.8 TFSI, too, is a highly efficient engine. The compact and light four-cylinder unit has an output of 160 hp and reaches 250 Nm (184.39 lb-ft) of torque between 1,500 and 4,500 rpm. It powers the car from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 8.9 seconds and on up to a top speed of 218 km/h (135.46 mph).  The 3.0 TDI engine has an output of 240 hp and reaches a torque of 500 Nm (368.78 lb-ft) between 1,500 and 3,000 rpm. Its performance figures – from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 6.3 seconds, a top speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph) – demonstrate this engine’s dynamic character. The 2.0 TDI is offered in two versions: one developing 143 hp and 236.02 lb-ft of torque and the other generating 170 hp and 258.15 lb-ft of torque. Both ensure powerful propulsion – the basic TDI accelerates the A4 Avant to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 9.7 seconds and facilitates a top speed of 208 km/h (129.25 mph). The more powerful of the two accelerates the Avant to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 8.6 seconds and on up to a top speed of 222 km/h (139.19 mph). Press release after the jump. Full story
2008 Audi A4 Special Edition
Audi revealed at the Chicago Auto Show the A4 Special Edition, a model that adds to the popular S line exterior bumpers and grille introduced as standard features on the A4 for the 2008 model year. The new edition is designed for A4 sedan and Avant and includes includes a new standard 17-inch wheel that features a 9 Y-spoke design pattern. Standard interior features for quattro-equipped models include leather-trimmed heated front seats and metallic paint.  Customers can choose the full S line and Titanium packages as optional sport upgrades, as well as a full range of individual options. Some of these sophistications include DVD-based Audi Navigation system, Bluetooth hands-free preparation, iPod adaptor, and wood beltline trim. Press release after the jump. Full story
Audi A3, A4, A6 and R8 top their classes
Auto Motor Und Sport voted four Audi models as best in their class. The Audi R8 won the title of thw best sports car, the A4 was voted best in the sedan class, the A3 compact model came top of its class for the fourth time and Audi A6 was the winner once again among midsize luxury cars. "The reader poll is an important indicator for us. And Audi’s success with ams readers shows us that we’ve got the right products,” said Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, upon being presented with the commendation. “At the same time, the great results are an incentive for the entire team." Press release after the jump. Full story
Audi A4 and A5 get new engines
Audi continues to expand its successful A4 and A5 model lines. The new entry-level units add to the range of available engines. The 1.8 TFSI engine is available for the Audi A4, where it generates 88 k (120 hp) in combination with a manual transmission, and for the A5, where it develops 125 kW (170 hp) in combination with the continuously variable multitronic transmission. Full story
Abt AS4
By concept, the new Audi A4 is already a dynamic, exciting and powerful car – and therefore this new sedan car made in Ingolstadt offers a perfect starting point for the engineers and designers with Abt Sportsline. With the AS4, the world’s leading tuner of cars from the Volkswagen group succeeded in creating a car which is in every respect harmonic and sporty, as well as elegant: the front skirt, which emphasizes the distinctive headlight area, makes the AS4 look very dynamic and self-confident. Side skirts and fender inlets meet the sporty design and harmonize perfectly with the rear section of the car; the 4-pipe rear muffler, the rear skirt inlet and the rear spoiler form a perfect unit Full story
2009 Audi A4 Allroad rendering
Audi will add a a new model to the Allroad line-up: a new version based on the A4 sedan unveiled last year. The new model will be launched at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. It will borrow design elements from the Audi Allroad concept. Full story In Europe Audi already received 33.000 orders for the A4
The new Audi A4 sedan has been available for test driving at Audi dealerships for just a few days now – in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands. “At the time of market launch in the first European countries we already counted 33,000 customer orders,” said Ralph Weyler, Member of the Board of Management at AUDI AG for Marketing and Sales. “The orders received and the impressive response from customers and the media have exceeded all our expectations. (... > Full story
Audi A4 gets S-line sports package
The Audi A4 Ambition – Audi’s sportiest contender in the premium mid-range segment – can now be made even more dynamic with the new S line sports package plus from quattro GmbH. The package includes special styling and functional features for an added sporty touch in terms of driving behavior and design Full story
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