Topic: Preview: 2017 Audi A4

[Hannibalsmith]

I will admit, part of my opinion is shaped by the fact I live in a town literally dominated by VW Group products (WOB is 20km away). But the Audi shapes are getting a bit.....boring. Not ugly, but a bit too similar their respective predecessors. Kind of like how every Porsche looks exactly like the one it replaces.

New Q7? Yawn. Facelifted Q5? Audi A6? It's getting a bit stale. Try harder guys. They look like the styling was done in boring ol' Wolfsburg instead of Ingolstadt.

No manual and no dual clutch in the new S4. Bruuuuutal.

Looks like the BMW 340i M-Sport is my only option next year if I'm shopping for a new sedan with a manual.  The S4 and MB C450 AMG will have to be pretty special for me to jump ship.

Just get the M3 

I'd love to.  My brother out West has a 2015 (manual of course) and raves about it.  A new one is out of my price range.  I'm contemplating waiting a couple years for a CPO M3...but not sure it would make sense as my DD. The S4, 340i, 450AMG, IS350, etc. all have more than enough power/performance for my (current) needs.

I hear you...as nice as the M3 is, for daily driving its a bit over the top.

It really is too bad about the lack of manual for the S4...still it will be worth a test drive, even in auto

[OliverD]

I think the purpose of the lower engine is less about price point and more about fuel economy.

Have the expected fuel economy figures been released?  You may be correct, but I wonder how much 'better' the detuned version could be on paper. 

Does the BMW 320i actually sell?  I mean, yay, $36k BMW, but...like...seriously?  The 320i (RWD) gets the same combined fuel economy as the 328i (RWD) despite the 60hp drop.  Only when xDrive is configured does fuel consumption go up by 0.4L/100km between the two tunes.  I doubt that's the driving factor for Audi to offer the de-tuned engine.  I'm guessing it's lower price point over fuel economy.

It sounds like the 190 hp version has some significant differences and isn't just detuned like the BMW's 2.0. http://www.autoblog.com/2015/05/07/audi-a4-engine-official/

FYI the RWD four cylinder models have been discontinued for '16 leaving the 340i as the only RWD 3-series available aside from the M3.

[micha]

I think the purpose of the lower engine is less about price point and more about fuel economy.

Have the expected fuel economy figures been released?  You may be correct, but I wonder how much 'better' the detuned version could be on paper. 

Does the BMW 320i actually sell?  I mean, yay, $36k BMW, but...like...seriously?  The 320i (RWD) gets the same combined fuel economy as the 328i (RWD) despite the 60hp drop.  Only when xDrive is configured does fuel consumption go up by 0.4L/100km between the two tunes.  I doubt that's the driving factor for Audi to offer the de-tuned engine.  I'm guessing it's lower price point over fuel economy.

It sounds like the 190 hp version has some significant differences and isn't just detuned like the BMW's 2.0. http://www.autoblog.com/2015/05/07/audi-a4-engine-official/

FYI the RWD four cylinder models have been discontinued for '16 leaving the 340i as the only RWD 3-series available aside from the M3.

I assume that means, the cheapest MT 3-series available is now the 340i. Also, no more manual A4 and I assume the new A5 will be automatic only as well.. Tough times for FGC and MT loving "poor" people.

[Noto]

FYI the RWD four cylinder models have been discontinued for '16 leaving the 340i as the only RWD 3-series available aside from the M3.

Smart move.  I'd think the budget-minded folks want the automatic, AWD cars.  Those who are enthusiasts want the hi-po versions in the form of the M3, or even the 340i RWD.

It sounds like the 190 hp version has some significant differences and isn't just detuned like the BMW's 2.0. http://www.autoblog.com/2015/05/07/audi-a4-engine-official/

I would have thought that the higher-output 2.0T would use the same tech, just with a larger turbo or something similar.  Does this mean that the 'stronger' engine will be a relative drunk in terms of fuel economy?

[mlin32]

FYI the RWD four cylinder models have been discontinued for '16 leaving the 340i as the only RWD 3-series available aside from the M3.

Smart move.  I'd think the budget-minded folks want the automatic, AWD cars.  Those who are enthusiasts want the hi-po versions in the form of the M3, or even the 340i RWD.

It sounds like the 190 hp version has some significant differences and isn't just detuned like the BMW's 2.0. http://www.autoblog.com/2015/05/07/audi-a4-engine-official/

I would have thought that the higher-output 2.0T would use the same tech, just with a larger turbo or something similar.  Does this mean that the 'stronger' engine will be a relative drunk in terms of fuel economy?

Import a US spec 320i ?

[Northernridge]

I like it and I like Audi's design restraint.

I wish the dash/centre stack had gone more like the TT though.

I'd choose an auto in this type of vehicle so it can remain on my list.

Except that I'm starting to warm up to the new C Class. Blasphemy I know, it's not a real Mercedes I KNOW, but still...the C63S costs about the same as an E400.

[dkaz]

R.I.P. stick shift.

[mixmanmash]

it will sport an all new 3.0L turbocharged TSFI V6 that makes 354 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, available from 1300 to 4500 rpm. Yes, you read that right. Supercharging is out, and turbocharging is in for the new S4.

That's more of the killer for me than the loss of the manual.  I love supercharged engines - the lack of literally any lag is just so delicious.

Initially there will be two spec levels of this engine: a 190 hp/236 lb-ft version and another putting out 252 hp/273 lb-ft. The 2.0L turbo in the current A4 makes 220 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. A TDI-four worth 190 hp and 295 lb-ft will also be on the menu. Transmission duties fall to Audi’s seven-speed dual clutch.

Oliver, don't fight with me on this one.

I don't understand the base tuned 2.0T.  Why not just ship with two engines (both 2.0T, but one petrol, one diesel)?  I'm guessing this is just a guise to garner a higher pricetag on the diesel, rather than MB's efforts of making the Blu as the base engine.  So wrong.  So very, very wrong.

...but a 190hp, 295lb-ft diesel...*purr*

...I mean, not better than MB's 2.1L diesel, but still, *purr*

You should see the difference between a supercharged 370Z and a turbo/twin-turbo one.  That lag you speak of doesn't exist and the car makes more power turbocharged at all RPMs than the supercharged.  I'll post some dyno graphs from some recent tuning sessions.

The lag might be more of a feel of the car pulling harder versus the linear supercharged setups.

I'd take a turbo any day of the week of a supercharger and I am glad that Audi is now going to be having an engine matching the 3.0T nomenclature.

Sent from my LG-D852 using Tapatalk

[Noto]

Fair enough...but it was so unique to be supercharged, even if not ideally efficient.

[OliverD]

Yeah, most modern turbocharged cars don't have significant lag. It's a non-issue in my experience.

[Triple Bob]

Yeah, most modern turbocharged cars don't have significant lag. It's a non-issue in my experience.

I was gonna say the same thing.  Although I also prefer supercharged, just for the whine and the exhaust note.

[dirtyjeffer]

modern turbo chargers have little if any turbo lag (variable vanes, twin scroll, etc)...superchargers can also take about 100 hp to actually "run"...while you still net ahead, they do put a drag on the engine.

[quadzilla]

Yeah, most modern turbocharged cars don't have significant lag. It's a non-issue in my experience.

I was gonna say the same thing.  Although I also prefer supercharged, just for the whine and the exhaust note.

I recently heard a S4 at WOT and I loved that whine. So cool,

[BernardP]

ok audi accountants.  you win.  no manual.  i officially hate you.  somebody produce an electric car that i can afford please automatic transmission?? meh might as well go electric.  no a4 replacement for me.

According to more detailed information, the 2017 A4 will be available with a 6-speed manual transmission

http://www.audiworld.com/articles/the-new-audi-a4/

The 7-speed DSG will also be interesting, as long as it doesn't have four overdrive gears.

[micha]

ok audi accountants.  you win.  no manual.  i officially hate you.  somebody produce an electric car that i can afford please automatic transmission?? meh might as well go electric.  no a4 replacement for me.

According to more detailed information, the 2017 A4 will be available with a 6-speed manual transmission

http://www.audiworld.com/articles/the-new-audi-a4/

The 7-speed DSG will also be interesting, as long as it doesn't have four overdrive gears.

Of course there is a MT, but not in NA as far as I know.