Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Audi A4 Avant.
Wagon lovers rejoice! Audi's new 2009 A4 Avant has made its official North American debut at the New York Auto Show. The press release, after the break, introduces us to the newest 2.0 liter TFSI four cylinder engine, variants of which have won "Engine of the Year" trophies three times. Coming in at 211 horsepower along with 258 lb.-ft. of torque, the A4's base engine is reportedly capable of propelling the car to sixty in 6.5 seconds.
The impressive output of Audi's new four-banger almost makes up for their decision not to offer the sedan's 3.2 liter FSI V6 in the Avant. That engine features the newest version of the patented Audi Valvelift Technology (AVS) and offers up 265 horsepower. Six-speed transmissions will be offered in both the A4 sedan and Avant -- no mention of Quattro systems or the new 7-speed DSG. It seems like Audi's been holding back the new A4 for so long that we can hardly believe that we'll see it in dealerships this October, but we'll continue to sate your appetites with pictures until then.
[Source: Audi]
Press Release:
Audi Announces North American Debut of 2009 A4 Avant at New York Auto Show
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., March 19, 2008 – Audi of America, Inc. today announced that the highly anticipated, all new Audi A4 Avant will make its North American debut at this year's New York International Auto Show, to be held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City, March 21-30.
The 2009 Audi A4 Avant will feature the 2.0 TFSI, a new high-powered four-cylinder turbocharged engine that has 211 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The current A4 Avant offers 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. The 2009 A4 Sedan will also offer drivers the 2.0 TFSI or the option of a 3.2 FSI V6, with 265 hp and the patented Audi Valvelift Technology (AVS).
Enhancements to the V6 include considerably lower inner friction and a valve actuation system called the Audi Valvelift System which varies the stroke of the intake valves. The engines will improve performance, while reducing fuel consumption versus previous generations.
A number of transmission options are also available, including a six-speed manual and tiptronic transmission, which is optional for the 3.2 FSI.
The Avant's proportions have been reconfigured significantly from the previous generation model to emphasize both sport and practicality. The front overhang has been shortened, while the hood and wheelbase have increased in size. The new A4 Avant measures 15.42 feet in length, making it 4.72 inches longer than its previous model. Its body is considerably more rigid and safer in build than its predecessor, while still being approximately 10 percent lighter. Those proportions yield the largest luggage capacity in its class, with up to 50.5 cubic feet of cargo space.
Other points of emphasis in the interior and exterior design are the xenon plus headlights, which consist of 14 white light-emitting diodes, and a driver-oriented cockpit that borrows many features from the larger A8, including an electro-mechanical parking brake that also comes standard on other Audi models.
Technology options for the new model include a complete range of high-tech systems. These include the Audi parking system (a parking aid and standard for the A4 Avant), Audi lane assist (the lane departure warning system) and Audi side assist (which warns of hazards when changing lanes). The adaptive cruise control option maintains the distance to the vehicle in front.
When it comes to multimedia, the Audi A4 Avant will meet every user's needs. The Audi Music Interface (AMI) allows for iPod connectivity and control. The navigation system with DVD including MMI is an additional upgrade option. Bluetooth connectivity for cell phones is included, as well. The car audio system is by Bang & Olufsen. A 505 watt, ten-channel amplifier controls 14 speakers.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
PAT @ Mar 25th 2008 8:42AM
Wow impressive torque for a 4 cyl!
psarhjinian @ Mar 25th 2008 12:08PM
It's a turbo, so this is pretty much par for the course.
About on-par with the Saab 9-3 Viggen's 2.3 (and oldie, but a goodie!) and less than either the Evo or WRX's powerplants, though probably more refined than any of the above. I haven't had much time with Mazda or Honda/Acura's powerplants and can't speak to them.
Chris @ Mar 25th 2008 8:50AM
Where are the mileage figures? Or are we only concerned when its an American vehicle?
Richard @ Mar 25th 2008 8:58AM
According to the second linked previous article, the 3.2 liter should be good for 25.5 US mpg. They don't give figures for the 2.0, but the 1.8 (available in Europe) was quoted at 33.1 US mpg. YMMV, of course.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Mar 25th 2008 12:21PM
The 1.8 was only good for >30mpg when in a fronttrak. quattros (even the smaller A3) don't see anywhere near that figure.
Richard @ Mar 25th 2008 8:50AM
Even the old 2.0 engine was a remarkable fit.
Still, I'm looking forward to testing the real-world back seat legroom in the new A4. After all, currently the A3 is much more usable! Now, if they could give us an A4 cabrio with at least as much back seat comfort as the current A3, that would be a whole lot of fun...
JMoss @ Mar 25th 2008 9:45PM
There will be no A4 Cabrio, only an A5
PAT @ Mar 25th 2008 8:58AM
I agree Chris, I would like to see the est. mpg also. It could be that the EPA has yet to test it, but even then you think Audi would give us something.
Richard @ Mar 25th 2008 9:07AM
Of course, we don't get the diesels yet... sigh...
The 3.0L diesel (240 hp, 370 lb-ft) gets an even better 34 US mpg (all mpg are combined cycle), 0-60 in 6 seconds, and that's with quattro. The 2.0L diesel (143 hp, 236 lb-ft) still gets 0-60 in under 9.4 seconds while offering a combined 43 US mpg. Still, maybe we'll get those options soon.
Oh, sorry, I forgot that a 35mpg fleet average was "impossible" to achieve over the next decade. Must be imagining things.
psarhjinian @ Mar 25th 2008 12:11PM
Do keep in mind that European test cycles routinely generate higher numbers (it's not uncommon for a car thart gets 65mpg on the Euro cycle to get 48 in the US, even with the same units). Also note that diesel physically contains more fuel mass per gallon and takes more crude oil volume per refined gallon to produce.
It's still more efficient, but not as strikingly so when those factors are taken into effect.
Ligor @ Mar 25th 2008 9:27AM
I hope those roof rail rise up, casue they seem useless the way they are unless you add cross members
though i don't like the noise increase of cross-members if they are easy to take off and install than they only need to be there for those skiing trips, and the rails as shown will actually look better on the avant.
otherwise this new A4 is much better than the currnet one, just not there yet when compared against the CTS, G35, 3-series
Quattrofan @ Mar 25th 2008 11:14AM
"just not there yet when compared against the CTS, G35, 3-series".
Uhm, no!
3 series? Yeah maybe.
G35? It's Japanese - enough said.
CTS? Please don't make me laugh.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Mar 25th 2008 12:22PM
The G35 is French and this car is a joke next to the CTS. They're not even designed to be in the same class from what I can tell.
Ligor @ Mar 25th 2008 12:29PM
quattro fan,
please, this FWD front heavy POS can't touch either of the 3 cars I mention above,
The current G35 tears up even the S4, adn as far as it being Japonesse, the Germans don't have much to say to that since their car's keep catching on fire, like the revent GTi's so will this one.
And the new CTS is way more balanceced than this A4, and it's interior design has now cought up to industry standards - stop living in the past.
Matty @ Mar 25th 2008 12:39PM
I'd place the CTS as an A6 or BMW 5-Series competitor. It's considerably bigger than the A4 or 3-Series. All of the afformentioned are great cars (as of 2008). The G35 doesn't belong in this company. It's for striped-shirt wearing dbags who couldn't afford an M3.
MikeW @ Mar 25th 2008 12:59PM
The G35 is all Nissan, but looks French. (Remember the Nissan XVL concept car?)
When was the last time Audi sold a non-Quattro Avant in the US?
258ft-lbs is pretty good. What engine speed range does it occur through 2100-4200? and doesn't Audi design the engine so is makes maximum power across a wide engine speed range. 4250-5750
Richard @ Mar 25th 2008 9:30AM
No diesel.
No 6-cyl Avant
So...nothing between the 4-cyl and the S4 Avant (if they offer one here)
C'mon Subaru, bring me a diesel Legacy GT Wagon with 6 forward speeds!
judd @ Mar 25th 2008 10:35AM
I hope they cured the eating oil problem the 2.0T has. It's getting old as an owner of one and would probably drive me away from owning another Audi.
psarhjinian @ Mar 25th 2008 12:14PM
If I had the money...
asoon @ Mar 25th 2008 12:17PM
"Six-speed transmissions will be offered in both the A4 sedan and Avant -- no mention of Quattro systems or"
why can't they just give us the PERFECT combo of 4cyl 6pd Quattro?