Audi A4 gets keener, greener

Audi has announced two new engines for the recently introduced A4, a new 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol motor, and a high-economy version of its 2.0-litre TDI diesel.The new 2.0 TFSI petrol motor incorporates direction injection and ‘valvelift’, a system that allows variable opening of the inlet valves to improve the engine’s breathing. The net result is 209bhp and a hefty 258lb ft of torque, enough to propel the A4 saloon from 0-62mph in 6.9secs and onto a top speed limited to 155mph.Considering the performance on offer, the 2.0 TFSI’s claimed 42.8mpg combined mpg and 154g/km CO2 output are impressively low.The new diesel engine is a downtuned version of the existing 141bhp 2.0-litre unit, sharing the more powerful engine’s common-rail injection, and offsetting most of its power defecit with a strong 214lb ft of torque.Audi claims the basic A4 2.0 TDI hits 62mph from rest in 10.7 seconds and has a top speed of 127mph. CO2 emissions are 134g/km and the combined fuel economy is claimed to be 55.4mpg. Good, but still not on terms with the amazing 60.1mpg and 123g/km claimed for the quicker BMW 318d.The 119bhp 2.0 TDI saloon will be priced from £22,150, the 2.0 TFSI from £24,625