Audi’s Compact Four-cylinder 1.8 TFSI

Having grown up substantially over the current A4, the new B8 has a length of 4,703 mm. The 1.8 TFSI is a close relative of the 2.0 TFSI engine chosen three times in succession by a jury of international journalists as “Engine of the Year”. On this smaller version 0f the B8 range, direct petrol injection and turbocharging represent an ideal combination. Injection pressure has been increased to 150 bar and new direct injectors distribute the fuel accurately to the combustion chambers. The turbocharger is exceptionally rapid in its response - at an engine speed of 2000 rpm it accelerates the engine 30 percent faster to a ten percent higher torque than the conventional 1.8T engine that powered the preceeding model. For all its vigour, this four-cylinder unit runs quietly, in a most refined manner. Audi AG has not released power/torque figures for the 2.0 TFSI engine application in the new A4. Similar transmissions choices are carried over with the S-Tronic (DSG) still missing form the A4 line-up. As such, a six-speed manual gearbox, the tiptronic automatic transmission, the multitronic continuously variable transmission are paired with either front-wheel drive or quattro permanent all-wheel drive.

The technical features of the steel bodyshell are also evidence of the major steps forward that have been taken on the new Audi A4. The body is extremely light in weight: although almost 12cm longer and over 5cm wider than its predecessor, the bare bodyshell weighs about 10% less - an excellent starting point for a saloon car of low gross weight. This weight saving is due to specific use of new grades of steel that combine exceptional strength with low weight. Only these ultra-high-strength steel grades give the body the high level of rigidity needed for precise, sporty handling and good ride comfort. Interchanging the differential and the clutch has enabled the front axle to be moved forward by 154 mm. This change, aided by moving the car’s battery to the boot, helps to achieve ideal weight distribution. With its wide track -1564 mm at the front, 1551 mm at the rear - the A4 suggests its dynamic power even at a standstill. Audi claims the new A4 will be the sportiest car in the midsize category: agile, effortless to handle and safe at all times. The new A4 (B8) goes on sale by November 2007 in Europe.

Dr. Joachim Schmidt: “The positive development of the past several months makes us very confident for the fourth quarter in which we will continue to increase our sales. Record result in China; highest-volume premium brand in Germany and the U.S. Mercedes-Benz recorded the best September sales result in its history last month and was worldwide the premium brand with the highest sales volume. For Mercedes-Benz, September was the best sales month so far this year. Sales increased at a double-digit rate for the eleventh time in a row. The brand gained market shares in almost all markets. Mercedes-Benz delivered 118,600 vehicles (September 2009: 104,900) to customers worldwide in September, an increase of 13 percent. Sales since January now total 854,000 units (January-September 2009: 737,600), representing an increase of 16 percent. “Sales developed better than expected in September,” says Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars. “The number of deliveries was above the record figure for September 2007 and therefore higher than at the beginning of the economic crisis. The positive development of the past several months makes us very confident for the fourth quarter in which we will continue to increase our sales.

In this context, we want to grow in our two biggest markets: Germany and the U.S. Sales will get an additional boost in the last quarter of 2010 from attractive new products such as the new generation of the CL- and the R-Class, both of which were launched in September. In addition, Mercedes-Benz is gradually introducing new and especially efficient six- and eight-cylinder gasoline engines with BlueDIRECT technology and a new generation of the six-cylinder diesel engine with ECO start/stop function in its model ranges. “We therefore are in an excellent position and on track to achieving our target of increasing sales at Mercedes-Benz by more than ten percent in full-year 2010,” adds Schmidt. Mercedes-Benz was able to boost sales in all regions in September. The dynamic sales growth of the past months continued in the Asia/Pacific region and the BRIC countries, with deliveries of Mercedes-Benz vehicles in China (incl. “We continue to be the premium brand with the fastest growth in China,” says Schmidt.