Audi A4 2.0 TDI e 2010 Review

Audi A4 2.0 TDI e

What we liked
>>Clever efficiency program tuition
>>Alloy wheels standard
>>Good torque

Not so much
>>Manual only
>>No navigation or Bluetooth
>>Unflattering real world fuel economy

Overall rating: 3.0/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 3.0/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.0/5.0
Safety: 3.5/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.0/5.0
X-factor: 2.5/5.0

About our ratings

OVERVIEW
-- Hybrid hunter
Audi doesn't care for the comparison but it's hard not to compare the new A4 2.0 TDI e to the Toyota Prius and even the Camry Hybrid. Audi may be a premium brand, not accustomed to trading sales blows with humble Toyota, but the new efficiency focused A4 is a natural rival to the fuel-sipping Toyotas.

Joining the A3 1.9 TDI e launched in 2008 the latest member of the A4 family is, in many respects, the Germany firm's answer to hybrid petrol-electric vehicles. Although Q5 and eventually A8 hybrids will emerge from the four-ringed brand, it sees these efficient 'e' diesels as the best interim solution until fully electric vehicles become commonplace.

"Hybrid makes sense in some markets but Audi sees it strictly as a stepping stone to a full electric vehicle," says Immo Buschmann, Audi Australia General Manager Marketing.

Under the banner of Audi's 'Progressive Performance' mantra the company has looked at all aspects of the car, including the driver, to try and reduce fuel consumption and emissions as much as possible. Everything from weight to air resistance to friction and energy conversion is taken into account to try and save each drop of diesel.

To achieve the reductions on both the A4 TDI e and across the rest of the range Audi has developed a 'modular efficiency platform' that encompasses the full breadth of the company's technologies. Engine, transmission, ancillaries, electrical, body and assistance systems are the categories in which Audi has developed fuel saving technology.

Audi claims that fitted to the A4 TDI e the car is good enough to sip only 4.8L/100km and emit 124g/km of CO2. While not quite on the same level as the leading Prius, MINI Cooper D or Fiesta Econetic, it is well underneath the equivalent-sized Camry Hybrid which can only manage 6.0L/100km.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
-- Good, not great
The quest for reduced weight and better efficiency means the TDI e offers a bit less in the way of luxuries and therefore becomes the new entry-level model of the A4 range.

Available with six-speed manual transmission only, the TDI e slots in underneath the 1.8 TFSI multitronic ($52,000 manufacturer's list price, not including government and dealer charges) with a starting price of $49,900.

But the company is quick to point out that this isn't a stripped out 'poverty pack' with reasonably long list of standard features. The list includes electro-mechanical parking brake, automatic climate control, 10-speaker audio system, micro-metallic grey inlays, light and wiper sensors, leather trim, multifunction steering wheel and speed sensitive power steering as well as safety features including eight airbags and electronic stability control.

And unlike the A3 that rides on steel wheels with plastic hubcaps, the A4 TDI e is equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels.

However, there are some glaring omissions for what is meant to be a premium vehicle. Neither satellite navigation nor any form of Bluetooth connectivity are fitted to the car as standard.

MECHANICAL
-- All for efficiency
As the name implies the 2.0 TDI e is powered by a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine. Tuned for efficiency it produces 100kW at 4200rpm and 320Nm between 1750-2500rpm. The engine is fitted with Audi's auto stop-start system to further assist fuel economy.

As mentioned above, the engine drives through a six-speed manual gearbox. The ratios are spread wider than Audi's usual six-cog unit in another fuel economy aid.

Audi has overlooked its trademark Quattro all-wheel-drive system in favour of front-wheel drive to get the power to the ground, saving weight and aiding fuel economy.

As part of the 'modular efficiency platform' there is a raft of other technical features to help fuel economy. Most of which are not unique to Audi or the A4 TDI e but include electromechanical steering, optimised power steering pump, more efficient air-conditioning, energy recovery, lightweight construction techniques and low rolling resistance tyres.

Another interesting element is the use of underbody coverings and a partially covered radiator opening to improve aerodynamics without resorting to any major bodywork changes. The TDI e also rides 20mm lower, on sports suspension, to further help improve aero efficiency.

But the most interesting element of Audi's 'modular efficiency platform' is the 'Driver efficiency program'. In a nutshell it is an element of the trip computer that includes a gearshift indicator and, while not unique to the A4, it does at some new tricks. The 'Economy tip' offers up tips and techniques to help improve consumption depending on the driving conditions. For example, if you leave the air-conditioning on and wind the windows down, the dash will show a message telling you to close the windows or switch off the aircon.

PACKAGING
-- Just like a regular A4
Given that this is just a variant of the current-generation model, take a look at our previous A4 launch review for more detail.

SAFETY
-- See above
See our previous A4 review for more details on the safety features of the car.

COMPETITORS
-- Don't use the T-word
As much as Audi doesn't like the comparison it's hard to avoid comparing the A4 TDI e to the Camry Hybrid. Both are midsized sedans looking for buyers with a social conscience and separated by only $10,000; not a huge chasm for two such different brands.

But you can't ignore the Prius either, given that the top-spec i-Tech model starts at $52,000 (manufacturer list price).

Audi is resigned to the inevitability of buyers cross-shopping its brand against the more mainstream Toyotas but also wants to cast the net wider.

"Ultimately, yes, we'd like to pinch sales off Prius and any other efficiency model," Buschmann says. "Our car is bigger, and personally, I think its better looking. Ultimately, though, I think we'll attract a different kind of customer."

Buschmann is right to say Audi is chasing a different kind of customer. The fact that the A4 TDI e is only available with a manual, this is a very different proposition that the rest of the range.

How many potential Audi customers will drive a manual transmission just for the sake of fuel efficiency? No other premium brand can match the TDI e on efficiency and price with a similar-sized car; or one with a manual gearbox.

On price and economy the closest competitor ends up being the Volkswagen Jetta range of turbodiesels; 77TDI, 103TDI and 125TDI.

The 77TDI is available with either a five-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and consumes only 4.9L and 5.0L/100km respectively. The 103TDI is only available with a six-speed automatic but VW claims it sips only 6.0L/100km. And the 125TDI is also a six-speed automatic but has combined consumption of 5.9L/100km.

Not only are the VW sedans competitive on efficiency and equipment against the A4, they actually make a compelling case against the more expensive Audi cousin when you factor in the price.

At $$28,990 (MLP) 77TDI is $21,000 cheaper than the A4. The $35,990 103TDI saves you $14,000 over the Audi. The 125TDI Highline is $38,990, an $11,000 saving, despite its top-level trim and equipment. Whichever way you look at it that's a significant saving, and enough to buy you plenty of diesel at the pump...

Ultimately though, Audi isn't chasing Prius or Camry or even Jetta type numbers. The company is adamant that 150 sales per year will be enough to declare the A4 TDI e a success locally.

ON THE ROAD
-- Progressive performance?
Too often with economical cars the search for improved efficiency results in a decrease in driving dynamics and performance. Give the company's slogan of 'Progressive Performance' the A4 TDI e can afford no such drop-off.

The sports suspension package may be designed to improve aerodynamics but it also helps to highlight just what a good chassis the Audi engineers have created for the A4. All the usual positives remain on the TDI e: good steering, responsiveness and ride comfort.

A respectable 320Nm of torque is enough to comfortably pull the A4 from standstill without it feeling laboured. It certainly won't win any drag races at the traffic lights (with a 0-100km/h time of 9.5sec) but the TDI e feels more capable than most econo cars.

Not that there was too much opportunity to give the TDI e much of a dynamic workout on Audi's drive program from Adelaide to Broken Hill; not exactly Audi territory...

Which was a shame because the A4 TDI e impressed close to Adelaide, on the more demanding roads around the hills and up into Clare Valley. Worryingly, however, the long, straight drive to Broken Hill didn't result in us getting close to the claimed 4.8L/100km fuel economy figure.

Yes, we probably didn't stick to the script as tightly as others but by the time we reached our final destination 6.0L/100km was the best we could manage. Given this car is so focused on economy and efficiency it was a surprisingly disappointing result.

In truth though, this type of car is more likely to spend time in and around town, not on long highway drives. With that in mind the stop-start system, economy tips and manual gearbox should stand it in good stead to achieve consistent economy numbers... As long as the driver is as committed to saving fuel as the car.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at www.carsales.mobi