Audi A4

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Audi A4
B6 Audi A4
Manufacturer: Volkswagen AG
Production: 1995–present
Assembly: Ingolstadt, Germany
Predecessor: Audi 80
Class: Entry-level luxury car / Large family car
Body style: 4-door saloon
5-door estate
2-door convertible
Platform: FF/AWD
Similar: Alfa Romeo 159
Jaguar X-Type
Volvo S60

The Audi A4 is a large family car produced by the German automaker Audi since 1995. It is the replacement of the Audi 80 and Audi 90.

Contents

[edit] B5 (1995-2001)

First generation
The first-generation Audi A4
Production: 1995–2000
Engine: 1.6 L, 1.8 L 20V, 1.8 L 20V Turbo, 2.6 L V6 (1996-1999), 2.4 L V6 30V (1998-2000), 2.8 L V6 30V, 1.9 L TDI, 2.5 L V6 TDI
Transmission: 5-Speed manual
4-speed auto
5-Speed auto
Wheelbase: 103.0 in.
Length: 178.0 in.
Width: 68.2 in.
Height: 55.8 in.
Fuel capacity: 16.4 gal.
B5 A4 sedan
Enlarge
B5 A4 sedan

Audi debuted the model in 1995 on Volkswagen's B5 platform, which it shared with the fourth generation Volkswagen Passat. Like the Passat, it had a longitudinally-mounted engine and standard front wheel drive, although the vast majority of A4s Audi sells in North America come optioned with their quattro all wheel drive system. The Avant estate arrived a year later.

A wide range of engines were available to European customers, between 1.6 and 2.8 litres, and a 1.9 L Diesel available with VW's new "pumpe-düse" technology, capable of achieving a then high power value of 110 PS (81 kW), although Audi's 2.8 L V6, carried over from the old 80/90 was the only engine option in North America until 1997.

The Audi A4 was the first model in the Volkswagen Group to feature the new 1.8 L 20V motor with five valves per cylinder, based on the unit Audi Sport had developed for their Supertouring race car. A turbocharged version produced 150 PS (110 kW) and 210 Nm (155 ft.lbf) of torque. This technology was added to the V6 family in 1996, starting with the 2.8 L V6 30V, which now pumped 193 PS (142 kW).


Audi also debuted their new Tiptronic transmission on the B5 platform, based on the unit Porsche developed for their 964-generation 911. The transmission is a "manumatic", meaning it offers the driver a choice of driving the car as either an automatic or a clutchless manual.

The B5 A4 is arguably a watershed model for Audi. Previously regarded as somewhat of a bit-player in the luxury car segment, the massive improvement in quality and engineering with the B5 A4 made buyers realize that there was now a marqueé other than BMW and Mercedes. Combined with the radical TT concept (later a production car), Audi emerged as a leader in the luxury car market.

[edit] Versions available for 1995-1998 models

The 80 was available in the following versions:

  • 1.6 petrol - base, SE
  • 1.8 petrol - base, Sport, SE
  • 1.8 Turbo 20V petrol - base (badged as 'T' for Turbo)
  • 2.6 V6 petrol - base, SE
  • 2.8 V6 petrol - quattro
  • 1.9 TDi turbodiesel - base, Sport, SE (in either 90 or 100bhp versions)

The United Kingdom and Europe had similar versions; VAG wanted to ensure consistency across all markets, so the trim levels were similar.

In the United States, the range was smaller, and the following versions were offered:

  • 1.8 Turbo 20V petrol - base only
  • 2.8 quattro V6 petrol

No TDi models were available, as with predecessor the Audi 80

[edit] B5 facelift (1998-2001)

Audi refreshed the model in the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show, with sales beginning in Europe in early 1998. Besides the introduction of a 2.4 L 30-valve V6 (replacing the outdated 2.6 V6), the most important additions to the range were the 2.5 L V6 TDI engine with 150 PS (110 kW) and standard quattro and a 6-speed gearbox, as well the new high-performance S4, now part of the A4 lineup (the previous S4 had been an Audi 100). New taillights, headlights, door handles, and other minor exterior/interior changes rounded out the cosmetic updates.

In mid 1998, the 1.8T engine available outside Europe had its power output raised to 170 PS (125 kW), while the 12-valve V6 was replaced by the 30-valve unit that had been available in Europe for two years.

In 1999, Audi debuted an even higher performance model, the RS4, like its predecessor RS2 available only in the Avant body.

[edit] B6 (2000-2005)

Second generation
Second-generation Audi A4
Production: 2001–2005
Engine: 1.6 L, 2.0&nbspL 20V; 2.0 FSI; 1.8 L 20V Turbo, 2.4 L V6 30V, 3.0 L V6 30V, 1.9 L TDI, 2.5 L TDI, 3.0 L TDI
Transmission: 5-speed manual
6-speed manual
4-speed auto
5-speed auto
6-speed auto
Wheelbase: 104.3 in.
Length: 179.0 in.
Width: 69.5 in.
Height: 56.2 in.
Fuel capacity: 17.4 gal.

An all-new A4 debuted in late 2000, now riding on the B6 platform. The 1.6 L base model remained unchanged, but most other gasoline engines received either displacement increases or power upgrades. The 1.8 L 20-valve Turbo was now available in two additional versions, with 150 or 180 PS (110 or 132 kW), this one with a standard six-speed gearbox, while the naturally aspirated 1.8 L straight-4 and 2.8 L V6 were replaced by 2.0 L and 3.0 L units, still with five valves per cylinder, the most powerful of which was capable of 220 PS (162 kW) and 300 Nm (221 ft.lbf) of torque. The 1.9 TDI engine was upgraded to 130 PS and was now available with quattro, while the 2.5 V6 TDI high-end model was introduced with 180 PS (132 kW) and standard quattro. The Avant arrived in mid 2001.

For 2002, Audi upgraded power in the 1.8 Turbo engines to 163 and 190 PS (120 and 140 kW respectively) and in the 2.5 TDI intermediate version to 163 PS. A 2.0 engine with Fuel Stratified Injection was also available. A year later, Audi reintroduced the S4, now powered by a 344 PS (253 kW) 4.2 L V8, as well as an A4 Cabrio convertible variant, finally replacing the 80-based Audi Cabriolet that had been discontinued in 1998. It incorporated some minor styling changes which eventually found their way to the saloon version (such as body-colored lower bumper and sill panels).

Audi also introduced a continuously variable transmission developed by LuK, named Multitronic, which replaced the Tiptronic on front wheel drive models. The transmission won considerable praise from the automotive press and is generally regarded as being the best of its type in the world, due to its light weight and promptness in response, but its use was limited to models with a maximum of 310 Nm (229 ft.lbf).

Borrowing from the Audi A6, the boot was redesigned to remove the extension of the top edge with a smoother fold line, and the taillight assembly now forms part of the top line.

[edit] B7 (2004-present)

Third generation
2005 Audi A4
Production: 2004–present
Engine: 1.6 L; 2.0 L 20V, 1.8 L 20V Turbo, 2.0 L TSFI, 3.2 L V6 FSI, 1.9 L TDI, 2.0 L TDI, 2.7 L TDI, 3.0 L TDI
Transmission: 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, CVT
Wheelbase: 2648 mm (104.3 in)
Length: 4586 mm (180.6 in)
Width: 1772 mm (69.8 in)
Height: 1427 mm (56.2 in)
Fuel capacity: 70 L (18.5 US gal)

Audi introduced a redesigned A4 in late 2004, now riding on the B7 platform, which is completely unique to Audi and not shared with Volkswagen. Nonetheless, the B7 is really a revision of the outgoing B6, and not a ground-up redesign. This is confirmed by Audi's internal platform nomenclature, which uses PL46 (longitudinal passenger car platform, size 4, generation 6) for both B6 and B7 chassis.

The engine lineup received many additions, the most notable of which was the introduction of Fuel Stratified Injection on the new 2.0 TFSI and 3.2 V6 FSI, respectively capable of 200 and 255 PS (147 and 188 kW), although these engines dropped the five-valve design in favor of the more widely known four valves per cylinder configuration, as the design was incompatible with the direct injection system. The new 2.0 TDI engine now combined Pumpe Düse (PD) technology with 16 valves for the first time, while the larger 2.5 TDI was increased to 3.0 L, with 204 PS (150 kW). Quattro was available either as an option or standard on most mid- to high-end models, with multitronic and Tiptronic automatic gearboxes available throughout the entire lineup. As per the B6, multitronic is available only on front-wheel drive models and Tiptronic only available on quattro models.

In addition to the carry-over S4, which remained unchanged on the technical side, Audi has reintroduced the RS4 to the lineup, for the first time on the saloon body and with a normally aspirated 4.2 V8 FSI engine. Another notable inclusion is the 3rd-generation quattro system which uses 40:60 front-rear power distribution. A limited edition variant first introduced in late 2005, named "DTM Edition", was reintroduced in 2006 as a regular option, the 2.0T FSI engine now engineered to 220 PS (162 kW) with standard quattro. The front grill assembly has changed to be full height in the same manner as the Audi A6.

The B7 Cabriolet model arrived later than the other two body variants, with sales beginning in February 2006. Brand new on the Cabriolet was an entry-level 2.0 TDI version, but to date this is not being offered with the Multitronic gearbox.

The Audi A4 is generally considered to be a safe car with many safety features, including side airbags, Electronic Stabilization Program, and its Quattro all-wheel drive.

[edit] Current lineup

A4 Engine Setup Power Saloon Avant Cabriolet
1.6 102 PS
2.0 130 PS
1.8 T 163 PS
1.8 T quattro 163 PS
2.0 TFSI 200 PS
2.0 TFSI quattro 200 PS
2.0 DTM Edition 220 PS
3.2 FSI 255 PS
3.2 FSI quattro 255 PS
4.2 S4 344 PS
4.2 RS4 420 PS
1.9 TDI 115 PS
2.0 TDI 140 PS
2.0 TDI quattro 170 PS
2.7 TDI 180 PS
3.0 TDI quattro 233 PS

[edit] See also

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