Speaking of engine, what's with the 1.8T FSI (by the looks of it) mounted transversely??

<img src="http://www.motivemagazine.com/emAlbum/albums/Events/Industry%20Shows/Frankfurt%20IAA/2007/Audi%20A4/audi-a4-b8-005.jpg">

There's a key piece of information in the press release that everybody seems to miss:

<i>Equipment and trim, data and prices stated here refer to the model programme offered for sale in Germany. Subject to amendment; errors and omissions excepted.</i>

makes you wonder if it'll be haldex

i'm guessing one year in

.. it is better to have the torsen replaced with a system that can be dynamically controlled, like the haldex. Other benefit - smaller and lighter too.

However in the press release it states that the new A4 will receive a system with 40/60 torque distribution with a self-locking centre differential, which sounds awfully like the standard torsen diff.

Maybe it was just an image of the 1.8T FSI from the A3 and they didn't have any other images available at the time.

160 is not gonna do for a new model. 2.0T and 220hp or so with electric PS, variable output water and oil pumps should be a minimum these days... BMW is leaving us behind on technology in some areas!

and within AoA about this. It isn't coming in the A5, and it isn't coming in the A4. The plan is to move the A4 a little upmarket, and don't see surprised if you see an A3 based sedan to fit the niche under the A4.

ELEVENTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday everyone was convinced that the dual exhausts were gone based on 3 pictures that were released. Then the pics turned up with the duals.

Now everyone is convinced that we are getting an 8 horsepower 3 cylinder motor out of a Geo Metro because of a press release that specifically says it's for the German market. If the 2.0t doesn't make it here in some guise or iteration then I will be pretty surprised and I will stand corrected. But certainly nothing that has been released to date forms any kind of rational basis for this, either for or against. Yesterday Audi released pics of the car and it's German specs. No more, no less.

I guess after all these years on this website I shouldn't be surprised when people want to rush to conclusions based on little to no information.

I mean, let's work this through.

We've already got the A3 with a 2.0t and a 3.2. The 3.2 A3, loaded, exceeds $40k. In the B7 A4, we have the 2.0t and the 3.2. The 3.2 costs 5-6k more than the 2.0t when comparably equipped, making a loaded 3.2 in the mid $40s. Is Audi REALLY considering doing away with an entry level motor on their bread and butter car? Given all the extra content that is going to be optional and in some cases standard on the new A4, and the suckyness of the dollar vs. the euro, a loaded B8 A4 3.2 will HAVE to be nearly $50k. And given that the A3 bodystyle is certainly not for everyone, it seems like they are leaving a lot on the table if they do that. Even if they bring a diesel, I think we can all agree that won't be a volume seller, and it's pretty much impossible to imagine that they are going to come over with something LESS than the 2.0t unless it's some crazy new lower displacement/higher horsepower/more efficient contraption. No consumer in their right mind is going to stand for a step BACKWARDS in the horsepower battle. So, what? They are going to essentially have a total of 3 motors in the B8 chassis? A4 3.2, S4 4.2, and RS4 4.2 (?). Even if they bring an A3-derived sedan to cover that hole, it seems like that will be a couple years off at minimum since it hasn't been rumored anywhere in the press. And I realize that seems like a specious argument, but when is the last time a new model "surprised" anyone and just popped up?

I guess I'm just hedging my bets based on what seems like a reasonable strategy, but I just can't see them NOT offering an entry level motor in the A4 for at least a few more years. I don't think the US is ready for that yet and I think it's going to hurt sales. Badly.

the US. This is because the V6 3.0 will fit in a wide variety of AoA's offerings. Cost of EPA certification is the reason. The I4 2.0 TDI will be the next offering in the US - timeline unknown as of last week.

I was told that the TDI is expected sometime in 2009. The gas engines will come first followed by the TDI. Of course, that's the plan now, which could change.