Audi has added yet another drivetrain option to the burgeoning A4/A5 line-up. Already released late last year in four-door manual form, the 155kW 2.0TFSI turbo four is now available in the A5 two-door and A4 sedan in both manual and S tronic dual-clutch variants.
The 2.0 TFSI quattro powertrain is also available in the Q5 SUV. The latest model range update heralds the arrival of Audi's seven-speed, twin clutch S tronic transmission to the longitudinal road car (not SUV) range.
The 155kW turbocharged powerplant pumps out 350Nm of torque via Audi's trademark quattro all-wheel-drive system. In the latest A4/A5 series torque is split 40:60, the rearward biased aimed at delivering a more sporting drive.
The A5 2.0 TFSI released last week Down Under sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds.
The 2.0 TFSI is the new entry level to the A5 coupe lineup (in manual form). It arrived in the A4 range as a 'midranger', topping the fours but still below the 3.0-litre diesel V6 and 3.2-litre V6.
Standard equipment includes keyless entry, leather interior, electric everything, height- and reach-adjustable steering, cruise, rear parking beepers, multifunction sports wheel (with paddles on the S tronic) and xenon headlights. In the manuals, the information system includes a shift indicator telling the driver when to change gears to optimise fuel consumption.
Prices for the A5 2.0 TFSI quattro start at $79,900 for the six-speed, with the S tronic option taking the starting price to $83,500. Entry to the A4 2.0 TFSI quattro is now $70,600 for the six-speed and $73,900 for the new S tronic.
Price points have been chosen to undercut competing BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class fare, say Audi insiders.
Options make up the usual German sky's-the-limit story. Key boxes to tick include: metallic paint $1695 for both models; multimedia interface (MMI) integrated control package with satnav $5900 on the A5 including iPod/USB interface (not included in $3390 A4 option) and adaptive cruise $2945 A5/$2754 A4.
Look out for our first drive of the A5 2.0 TFSI quattro soon or read our December 2008 road test of the A4 2.0 TFSI quattro here /reviews/2008/audi/a4/audi-a4-20-tfsi-quattro-road-test-11186
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