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Available only in saloon form, the new A4 2.0 TDIe joins the ‘e’ range alongside the Audi A3 1.9 TDIe and the A6 2.0 TDIe.
The A4 ‘e’ has a 136PS common rail diesel which, mated to a six-speed manual enables it to reach 62mph from rest in 9.5 seconds and to continue to a top speed of 143mph.
The emission levels position the car in the 13 per cent benefit-in-kind bracket for business users, therefore attracting a low annual liability for a 40 per cent tax payer of £1,209.
The ‘e’ has a start-stop system that cuts engine power at idle when the clutch pedal is released and the gear lever is in its neutral position, and then restarts in just two-tenths of a second when the clutch is depressed, boosting economy and reducing CO2 by approximately 5g/km.
Recuperation technology provides further fuel and CO2 savings by recycling a proportion of the wasted kinetic energy which is generated under normal braking and normally dissipated as heat, and storing this temporarily in the vehicle battery to reduce the engine load when the car subsequently accelerates again.
The achievement of ‘e’ status in the A4 has also been helped by a five per cent increase in the six-speed manual transmission’s final drive ratio, by the installation of a power steering pump which operates only on demand and by the use of low rolling resistance tyres.
The ‘e’ model also conserves fuel by slipping more cleanly through the air thanks to an additional streamlining underbody trim panel, extra enclosure for the radiator grille and sports suspension settings which help to reduce drag through a 20mm ride height reduction.
The A4 2.0 TDIe will be available in Standard and SE trim levels, both featuring the equipment such as electronic climate control, alloy wheels (16-inch for Standard models, 17-inch for SE), a CD audio system and electric front and rear windows.
In common with the 120PS, 143PS and 170PS TDI models, the TDIe also features a special instrument cluster with an efficiency-focused version of the Driver’s Information System (DIS) which recommends gear shift points and gives situation-specific driver advice on how to optimize fuel efficiency based on sensor analysis of driving conditions and driving style. The recommendations provided by the system, incorporated into the dashboard, have been proven to improve fuel economy by as much as 30 per cent.
Prices start from £23,340, and UK customer deliveries begin in October.
