2013 Audi A3

Audi launches new A4 2.0 TDI e

 
4 3,127 views Apr 23, 2009

2009 audi a4 20 tdi e 001

2009 audi a4 20 tdi e 002

2009 audi a4 20 tdi e 002

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Europhiles in the U.S. have been clamoring for diesel four-cylinders for years, and just as ardently, the average American consumer has indicated their desire to have nothing to do with oil-burning four-pots. While we're still out of luck, Audi is prepping a car for Europe that will make us even more jealous: the A4 2.0 TDI e.

Billed by Audi as the most efficient standard-sized sedan on the market, the A4 2.0 TDI e rates a healthy 51.13mpg US (4.6L/100km) in the EU's combined cycle. That works out to 119g/km of CO2 emissions - just 10g/km more than a second-gen Toyota Prius - and puts it head and shoulders above its petrol-powered competition at Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Lexus - or even other Audis.

BMW and Mercedes both offer competitive diesels in Europe, but Audi thinks its A4 package will prove the most efficient. Even if it doesn't, Audi has shown over the last year that it has something special for the market, taking the sales title in its home market of Germany. The company even has plans to take over all of Europe by next year.

Power ratings of the 2.0L TDI engine sit at 136hp (100kW) - enough to shove the sedan to 62mph in 9.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 133.6mph (215km/h). A range of special efficiency-enhancing technologies have been employed on the TDI e model, including a start-stop function and neutral idle function, which together account for 2mpg (0.2L/100km) in fuel savings, or about 5g/km CO2.

Pricing starts at €30,800, and the first cars will be delivered in Europe in June. Audi hasn't yet announced any plans to bring the car to the U.S.
2009 Audi A4 2.0 TDI e

HI-RES GALLERY: 2009 audi a4 20 tdi e 001




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Comments (4)

  1. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 4/23/2009 1:48pm PDT

    Most Americans think diesels are the same as those failed GM pieces of garbage from the 70's
     
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  2. ma_justinhk2000 avatar justinhk2000 Posted: 4/23/2009 2:32pm PDT

    exactly why we need to give diesels a chance, Ford use to be pieces of sh**, now their building techniques have improved and are currently making buyable cars and nice lookings ones too. So we should forget about the past about diesels and really consider diesels to be a equal competitor against hybrids.
     
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  3. ma_Rice1 avatar Rice1 Posted: 4/23/2009 3:57pm PDT

    I don't know about being an equal competitor with hybrids Justinhk, especially with the price of diesel being so high right now. Anybody know why it's so high? I mean, diesel isn't as refined as gasoline right?
     
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  4. ma_JSH avatar JSH Posted: 4/24/2009 9:14am PDT

    Why is diesel fuel so expensive? It isn't. The national average for 87 octane is $2.059 while on-highway diesel is $2.221. That is a difference of 8%. Diesel prices are still falling while gasoline prices are rising.
    http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/gdu/gasdiesel.asp

    The reason diesel is more expensive part of the year is the Northeast. Millions of people there still use diesel fuel to heat their homes in the winter. As such, historically diesel fuel is more than premium gasoline in the winter and less than regular is the summer. Simply supply and demand.

    Diesel didn't use to be nearly as refined as gasoline. That changed with the ULSD requirement to reduce sulfur content in diesel fuel to 15 PPM. Diesel is a heavier grade of fuel than gasoline and sulfur tends to stay in the heavier grades. So to meet ULSD requirements, refineries had to install new equipment to remove sulfur from diesel fuel. That makes the refining process for diesel more complicated and more expensive.

    BTW I own a 2003 VW TDI and a 2005 Prius. Since I have owned the TDI, diesel fuel has averaged $0.05 per gallon more than regular gasoline.
     
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