February 23 1998                                 

Power and refinement - new 2.4-litre engine for Audi A4

Audi in Australia has introduced its superbly refined 2.4-litre engine with revolutionary Tiptronic transmission in its gorgeous 1998 model year A4 sedan and Avant.

Previously only available on the new Audi A6, the 2.4-litre engine displays all the high-tech features of modern Audi engine construction: a compact V6 block, 30 valves, Motronic engine management offering variable camshaft control and intake manifold, double overhead camshafts (DOHC) and Audi's unique five-valves-per-cylinder technology.

Matthias Seidl, managing director of Audi in Australia, said the replacement of the 2.6-litre engine with the more refined 2.4-litre variant is in line with Audi's vision to create a high-technology, increasingly streamlined range of vehicles which are built with environmental considerations in mind.

"The A4's powerful 2393cc, 2.4-litre engine now boasts a peak output of 121kW (165 bhp), a 10 percent improvement on the 2.6-litre engine. The new variant also develops an additional 5 Nm of torque, bringing it's maximum to 230 Nm at 3200 rpm," Mr Seidl said.

In line with Audi's vision of working towards a cleaner environment, the 2.4-litre engine on the A4 is delightfully economical, consuming just 10.5 litres / 100 km in the city and 6.4 litres / 100 km in country areas.

"The V6 is designed as a torque-oriented alternative offering maximum refinement and a pleasant performance characteristic. It has a superb power build-up and its flexibility can be felt during acceleration," Mr Seidl said.

"At the same time, it propels the A4 in an economical and environmentally-friendly fashion: effective gas flow via three inlet and two exhaust valves ensures favourable fuel consumption and low exhaust emissions. The lower fuel consumption is also a consideration for ecologically-minded drivers."

Despite the slightly smaller engine size, the stunning A4 sedan now hits a top speed of 226 km/h and travels from 0 - 100 km in a handy 8.2 seconds.

Audi's revolutionary five-speed Tiptronic transmission with Dynamic Shift Program (DSP) and converter lock-up clutch, is now a standard feature on the 2.4-litre A4.

"The beauty of Tiptronic transmission lies in the availability of automatic and manual transmission depending on the driver's mood, rather like the choice between Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde," Matthias Seidl said.

"This intelligent and versatile transmission not only looks stunning in its aluminium housing with the leather gear knob, but can be operated elegantly and nimbly, with minimal effort. When driving in automatic mode the car does all the work for you and if you choose manual there's no need for a clutch or to release the accelerator at all, the car changes gear very smoothly with the flick of your wrist."

Specification levels are high on the new A4 with standard luxury features such as remote central (and safety) locking; engine immobiliser; switchblade key; cruise control; leather steering wheel and gear knob; walnut-finished interior with aluminium trim; electric windows, front and rear with remote open and close function and anti-lock brakes (ABS).

Automatic climate control air-conditioning is also standard, along with front and rear centre armrests with storage bin; storage nets on front seat backs; cup holders; non-slip storage trays; front and outer rear seatbelts with pyrotechnical pre-tensioners and retractable rear centre seatbelt.

The 2.4-litre A4 is available in front-wheel-drive and quattro four-wheel-drive. The quattro model boasts the added attitude of sports suspension, traction control (Electronic Differential Lock), front sport seats with lumbar support, leather-bound sports steering wheel and lockable split / fold rear seats.

A 2.4-litre Audi A4 Avant with Tiptronic transmission is also now available in Australia.

Standard Features

• Driver and front passenger airbags
  
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
  
• Automatic climate control air conditioning
  
• Remote central locking
  
• Power steering
  
• Engine immobiliser
  
• Cruise control
  
• Walnut finished interior
  
• Electric windows front and rear with remote open and close function
  
• Steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustment
  
• Leather bound steering wheel and gear knob
  
• Interior light package including front and rear reading lights
  
• Seat belt warning lamp and buzzer
  
• Integrated front and rear fog lights
  
• Front centre armrest with storage bin
  
• Height adjustable front seats
  
• Height adjustable front seat belts
  
• Height and tilt adjustable front and rear head restraints
  
• Front and outer rear seat belts with pyrotechnical pre-tensioners
  
• Child seat safety locking system on outer rear seat belts
  
• 6 speaker radio/cassette (CD compatible)
  
• Variable and speed sensitive intermittent wash/wipe system
  
• Colour keyed electric/heated exterior mirrors
  
• Illuminated driver and passenger vanity mirrors
  
• Key activated interior illumination
  
• Storage nets on the backs of front seats
  
• Rear centre armrest with storage bin
  
• Retractable rear centre seat belt
  
• Heat insulating tinted glass
  
• Cup holders
  
• Removable front carpet floormats
  
• Service interval indicator
  
• 100% galvanised body shell

Additional equipment for the 2.4 quattro:

• quattro with traction control (EDL)
  
• Front sport seats with lumbar support
  
• Leather bound sports steering wheel
  
• Sports suspension
  
• Lockable split / fold rear seat

Options:

• Metallic paint
  
• Electric glass sunroof

Every Audi has reliability built in. However, for added reassurance, every new Audi comes with AudiCare, a 24 hour roadside service network. AudiCare includes a 3 year unlimited kilometre warranty, a 3 year paintwork warranty and a 12 year body corrosion perforation warranty.

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