May 16, 2001

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Preview:
2002 Audi A4

Unveiled at the New York Auto Show in April, the 2002 Audi A4 is the first major redesign of this popular German near-luxury sedan since its introduction in 1996. The 2002 A4 will offer a new 3.0 litre V6 engine, 6-speed manual transmission, continuously-variable automatic transmission on front-wheel-drive models, a roomier, redesigned interior, and a revised aluminum-alloy suspension.

Compared to the current A4, the 2002 model is 69 millimetres (2.7 in.) longer, 33 mm (1.3 in.) wider, and 13 mm (0.5 in.) taller. Its attractive and styling is also aerodynamic: it has a drag coefficient of 0.28, down from 0.30 for the current model.

The 2002 A4's revised styling includes clear-glass headlights, revised taillights which resemble the A6, dual exhausts, and a more aggressive look. Inside, there is increased legroom for both front and rear passengers, and extra space for the head and shoulders. The new interior includes an in-dash six-disc CD changer and dual zone automatic climate control system with a sun sensor for better temperature regulation, as well as an activated charcoal filter and smog sensor. OnStar is a new option.

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A new five-valve-per-cylinder 3.0 litre V6 engine which produces 220 horsepower at 6300 rpm and 300 Nm of torque at 3200 rpm replaces the current 190 horsepower 2.8 litre V6 engine. Equipped with the 3.0 litre engine, Audi says the new A4 will go from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds, and has a top speed of 245 km/h. Its average fuel consumption is only 9.5 l/100 km, says Audi.

2002 A4 1.8T models will continue to offer the turbocharged 1.8 litre four-cylinder now with 170 horsepower, up from 150. A 5-speed manual transmission will continue to be standard in the 1.8T, but the V6 model will get a standard 6-speed manual gearbox. Quattro models will be available with a 5-speed Tiptronic transmission with steering wheel controls.

For the first time, front-wheel-drive A4 models will be available with a continuously variable automatic transmission known as Multitronic 3. Audi says this transmission is as quick as a manual transmission and smoother than an automatic, all with increased efficiency.

2002 A4's will come with more aluminum alloy in the front and rear suspensions. Audi's latest generation of its four-link front suspension is now 8.5 kilograms lighter. At the rear is a self-tracking trapezoidal-link rear suspension (now offered on both FWD and Quattro models) with increased alloy components that reduce unsprung mass.

Audi claims the 2002 A4's body is 45% stiffer than the previous generation car. The body of the new Audi A4 is based on a unitary steel structure with integrated aluminium components. The percentage by weight of the lightweight materials aluminium and magnesium and of plastics has risen significantly; the proportion of steel and iron on the new A4 has been cut by as much as 7.5 percent compared with its predecessor.

As before, Quattro all-wheel drive technology is available on every A4 - it transfers up to 67% of the engine's power from front to rear or up to 33% to an individual wheel in side-to-side situations.

The A4 is Canada's best-selling Audi model with sales of 3,371 last year. Currently, 87% of A4 buyers opt for quattro all-wheel drive and nearly half prefer manual transmissions.

The 2002 A4 will be built in Ingolstadt, Germany, the same site where the current A4 is built. Prices and introduction date have not yet been released.

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