First drive: A4 gains dual-clutch gearbox

AUDI’S BMW 3 Series chaser has finally adopted a dual-clutch manual gearbox, known as S-tronic, or DSG.

Available now, the A4 2.0 TFSI quattro opens proceedings from $73,990, or $76,730 for the Avant wagon variant.

No rival can match this model A4’s gearbox for less than $100,000.

The A4 joins the $79,900 A5 Coupe 2.0 TFSI quattro and Q5 mid-sized SUV as the only Audis to combine S-tronic with a longitudinal drivetrain application.

Previously, only transverse drivetrain models from the Ingolstadt, Germany-based company, such as the Volkswagen Golf-derived A3 and TT, boasted DSG/S-tronic.

All use a variation of the 2.0-litre turbocharged direct petrol injection four-cylinder engine introduced in the B7 A4 range in March 2005.

In the current B8 A4 it joins the $70,600 2.0 TFSI quattro sedan with a six-speed manual gearbox, and is 20 per cent more economical than in its B7 A4 application.

Fitted with variable valve timing, chain drive for the camshafts, a new intercooler design and a host of friction minimisation measures, it develops 155kW of power between 4300 and 6000rpm, and 350Nm of torque between 1500 and 4200rpm.

Drive is sent to all four wheels via Audi’s trademark Torsen differential quattro all-wheel drive system working. In most circumstances the rear axle has 60 per cent of available torque and the front end drives 40 per cent, for more of a rear-wheel drive ‘feel,’ although up to 65 per cent of drive can be delivered to the front end while the rear wheels can handle up to 85 per cent.

From standstill, the 1530kg A4 2.0 TFSI quattro manual sedan can sprint to 100km/h in 6.6 seconds (1565kg S-tronic: 6.5s), reach 246km/h (S-tronic: 245km/h), average 7.4 litres of 95 RON premium unleaded petrol per 100km (S-tronic: 7.5L/100km), and emit 173 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre (S-tronic: 179g/km).

The 1605kg Avant version is just as rapid to 100km/h, 9km/h slower overall, 0.3L/100km thirstier and 10g/km filthier than its manual sedan sibling.

Audi says the 155kW/350Nm A4 2.0 TFSI quattro S-tronic – the expected bestselling model with this powerplant – compares favourably with its direct rivals from Germany, the $75,900 160kW/250Nm BMW 325i sedan auto (8.8L/100km, CO2: 212g/km, 0-100km/h: 7.7s) and $87,694 170kW/300Nm Mercedes-Benz C 280 sedan auto (9.4L/100km/230g/km/7.2s).

Along with the usual array of airbags and electronic driving aids such as anti-lock brakes and stability and traction controls, the A4 2.0 TFSI quattro also includes leather upholstery, High Intensity Discharge Xenon ‘Plus’ headlights with LED driving lights, three-zone climate control air-conditioning, keyless-entry and keyless start, electrically adjustable front seats, mobile phone preparation with Bluetooth connectivity, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Audi is counting on the 2.0 TFSI quattro to account for between 15 and 20 per cent of all A4 volume.

2009 Audi A4 range pricing:
Sedan
1.8 TFSI	$50,900
1.8 TFSI Multitronic (a)	$53,900
2.0 TDI Multitronic (a)	$54,900
2.0 TFSI Multitronic (a)	$59,600
2.7 TDI Multitronic (a)	$65,905
2.0 TFSI quattro	$70,600
2.0 TFSI quattro S-tronic (a)	$73,900
3.0 TDI quattro Tiptronic (a)	$86,056
3.2 FSI quattro Tiptronic (a)	$90,900
Wagon (Avant)
1.8 TFSI Multitronic (a)	$56,800
2.0 TDI Multitronic (a)	$57,800
2.0 TFSI Multitronic (a)	$62,500
2.7 TDI Multitronic (a)	$68,900
2.0 TFSI quattro S-tronic (a)	$76,730