Q5 announced with 225hp 2.0 - similar bump for A4?

[SFV A4]

2013 info is already out... no bump. If Audi was going to tweak the A4 engine, it would have been with the facelift. So they are standing pat. All the 0-60 numbers I've read lead me to think there's little need for more hp. If anything, 211 just looks like a low number (which can be bad too of course). While on this topic, I still wish Audi would go back to the "old" way and offer three engines. A base engine with slightly less power but higher mpg's, something in the middle (like the old 3.2 V6 or a hotter 2.0T), and then an S4 that is as fast as the M and C. Everything would line up much better that way. As it stands now, I feel Audi has holes in it's line-up.

[gat821]

Originally Posted by av_audi

Of course it does, because 211 is the max Hp at a single RPM. This engine has a lot more Hp at lower RPMs than your typical normally-aspirated engine, which can be deduced by its high torque number. Since you drive through a range of RPMs, what matters is the average HP you can produce in that range of RPMs, and that average is higher than most other typical engines. The average may actually be higher than engines with higher peak Hp.

Torque and Hp are fully dependent on each other: Hp = (engine rotation speed) * torque * (some unit dependent constant). When people say en engine has a lot of "low end torque", to me it is the same thing as saying it has a lot of low end Hp

Very well put! With max torque possible early and over a wide rev range, we get max HP for that rpm, and this may be higher than other cars' output at that rpm. So the car is noticeably more powerful at what I call everyday rev range (up to 4500 rpm). It was something I noticed quite quickly when comparson shopping the A4 with the 328 or C class. Even with the G37, which has a much higher max HP (325 vs 211), but fairly similar torque (267 vs 258), didn't feel that much faster in this everyday rev range. Only at the higher rpm's would the G37's power come on tap.

[stan211]

Very well said, also an APR tune/chip helps matters. Torque = (5252 x HP)/ rpm hence the feeling of speed at LOW rpm is aided by huge dabs of shove-in-the-back good 'ol torque. Granted, the 2.0T does fall flat on it's face at anything over 5500 rpm, wonder if the new engine block will make this effect more or less pronounced.

As a side note, my gf drives a G37 and although its brutally fast (especially on high speed, high rpm conditions where all the extra HP is felt) it also tends to want to spin its tiny rear tires all the time, making a clean getaway impossible. Praise the quattro

[jdong]

Honestly, I don't think the 5% bump in peak HP spec is something to get too excited about, even if it were true. It'd be a very minor improvement to a good engine, and probably not make an appreciable difference in how it feels when you drive it.

[Loafer123]

Originally Posted by 2012A4Q5Owner

That SUV needs it. It's too heavy. Out of both of our vehicles, that's the one that would benefit the most from an APR ECU update. It needs the lower end torque to move the extra weight. We love our Q5. It rides so smooth.

Your experience confirms my belief. Having owned 3 A4's, our 20112.0T with 6 MT is an excellent combination of acceleration, fuel economy, and traction in our climate. The latest version with 211 hp with the 256 lbs of torque make this combo sweet. I imagine a 14 hp bump would be nice.

When I test drove the Q5 with the 2.0T (211HP) this power plant felt OK, and even a better overall performer than the 3.2 V6- this was because the torque was either greater than or similar to the 3.2, if I remember correctly. The 2.0T for the Q5 just did not 'feel' like it would be the best powerplant for the Q5.

I am hoping to replace our A4 Avant with the Q5, WHEN (if?) the 3.0 TDI arrives in North America. IMO, the 3.0 TDI is the best powerplant for the Q5, the proposed 3.0 supercharger is second, and the 2.0T is third. I suppose for some folks they will want the hybrid.....

Thanks for sharing your exeperience with both the A4 and Q5.

[ezveedub]

The Q5 should be getting the Flexfuel 2.0TFSI engine for 2013. This is most likely where these HP numbers are coming from. As for A4s, this engine will only be used on 8 speed automatic cars. CVT is not supposed to get it.

[RXBG]

and for the A4 line to possibly get the 272 hp V6 engine as an option in 2014. reason? new A3 sedan. the A3 sedan will go on sale US in 2013 as a 2014 MY vehicle. we are not going to get the new A3 hatch here in the US. std engine in the A3 will be the 225 hp engine also. there will also be a diesel option on the A3.

[Sundowner]

latest reports state that the A3 sportback is now expected to come over, but it will be specific to alternative powertrains, i.e. diesel or hybrid, only.

I've not heard or read any confirmation on the 272 hp 3.0T motor yet for the A4 lineup, but it would make sense, and honestly, the A4 needs the power bump. You'd think they'd offer it with the S-tronic transmission or (gasp)a manual, but knowing Audi hubris, we'll probably just get the sliptronic 8 speed. How sad is it that if you want a performance transmission in a car with an upsized mtor, that you're forced to ante up $8k for the S variant, or ante down $8k for a VW.

[JD15]

Originally Posted by Sundowner

latest reports state that the A3 sportback is now expected to come over, but it will be specific to alternative powertrains, i.e. diesel or hybrid, only.

I've not heard or read any confirmation on the 272 hp 3.0T motor yet for the A4 lineup, but it would make sense, and honestly, the A4 needs the power bump. You'd think they'd offer it with the S-tronic transmission or (gasp)a manual, but knowing Audi hubris, we'll probably just get the sliptronic 8 speed. How sad is it that if you want a performance transmission in a car with an upsized mtor, that you're forced to ante up $8k for the S variant, or ante down $8k for a VW.

I highly doubt that we'll see the A4 with the 3.0T in the US. With only $8-10k separating the A4 and S4, there may not be enough room to keep the 3.0T priced sufficiently above the 2.0T, but far enough away from the S4 to keep from cannibalizing sales. The engine in the A4 is a detuned version of the S4 engine and could make S4 power with a relatively inexpensive ECU tune. It's much more likely that Audi will continue to improve the 2.0T, although any significant improvements may not occur until B9.

[Sundowner]

Originally Posted by JD15

I highly doubt that we'll see the A4 with the 3.0T in the US. With only $8-10k separating the A4 and S4, there may not be enough room to keep the 3.0T priced sufficiently above the 2.0T, but far enough away from the S4 to keep from cannibalizing sales. The engine in the A4 is a detuned version of the S4 engine and could make S4 power with a relatively inexpensive ECU tune. It's much more likely that Audi will continue to improve the 2.0T, although any significant improvements may not occur until B9.

you've actually hit upon a problem that's been bugging me.
Look at the A6 vs. the S6, which just got reviewed on Autoblog. There's an infantesimal difference between the 0-60 times of the 2 cars. Why would someone pay that much more for an S6 when the A6 will take it at a stop lightlight within a statisical margin for error? seems pointless.

How does this relate the S4? Why do people buy this car? It's literally just an A4 Sport with the 3.0T and bodywork changes only noticable to the most hardcore Audi fans. I do not see where the $8k premium comes from.