Audi A4 2.5 TDI V6
From Its Position In The Middle Of The
Audi A4 Diesel Line-Up, The Long-Serving 2.5-Litre TDi Engine Still Makes A Strong Case For Itself. Steve Walker Reports
Diesel continues to consolidate its prominent position in the thoughts of compact executive car buyers. Tax and fuel economy benefits as well as the torque-laden power delivery of the latest engines have seen the sectors traditional dilemma between four and six-cylinder petrol power largely replaced with the more basic quandary of petrol or diesel. Audis latest A4 range leaves little to the imagination with a healthy array of oil-burning powerplants and alongside the newer options youll find the 2.5-litre TDi V6 which has a few more years of service under its cam belt.
| Build |
 |
| Comfort |
 |
| Depreciation |
 |
| Economy |
|
| Equipment |
|
| Handling |
 |
| Insurance |
 |
| Performance |
|
| Styling |
|
| Value |
|
It was November 1999, to be exact, when the 2.5-litre V6 TDi made its production debut. Back then it was powering the A8 luxury saloon but was only available to buyers on the continent. In the intervening years, extensive modifications have been carried out on the engine and it has descended the
Audi range to the extent that we now find it available in the A4.
Where other manufacturers have turned to common-rail injection technology in their diesels, the
Volkswagen Group, of which Audi is part, have persevered with the direct injection format and achieved impressive results. The 2.5-litre TDi unit is of the direct injection ilk. It produces 163bhp at 4,000rpm and chips in with a sizable 350Nm of torque between 1,500 and 3,000rpm.
One undesirable characteristic of older direct injection units was a spiky power delivery. The engine would chuck everything in for a short, violent burst in the middle of the rev range with very little oomph above or below that point. Development work done more recently on units like the 2.5 TDi has focused on broadening the power band so that surging performance is on tap more of the time.
The 2.5-litre TDi has certainly benefited from this and it makes todays A4 a more relaxed and enjoyable drive. Just for the record, 0-60mph takes 8.8s in the saloon version and theres a 141mph top speed to be explored away from public roads.
Fuel economy is central to the thinking of most diesel buyers and with a 40mpg average, the 2.5-litre TDi A4 makes a decent showing at the pumps.
"Theres little doubt that the facelift wrought on the previous model to produce the current A4 has been a success"
Being good or even extremely good, of course, is not sufficient to warrant success in the cut-throat world of the compact executive sector. The A4 2.5 TDi must beat off daunting competition from
BMW, Mercedes and
Jaguar in order to claim a place in the hearts of buyers. When judged in terms of price and power, it seems well equipped for the fight.
The £24,125 Audis 163bhp output is superior to those of the 3-Series, C-Class and X-Type models you can acquire for similar money. Moreover, theres Audis outstanding build quality to consider, something that is particularly evident in the latest A4, and what about that classily understated Audi brand image? All these are good things. Theres little doubt that the far-reaching alterations wrought on the previous model to produce the current A4 have been a success. For many potential buyers who took the time to test drive the last A4 rather than simply wander into the dealership looking for a dotted line to sign, some concerns were raised over ride quality.
To put it bluntly, the A4 didnt have the handling prowess to warrant the very firm ride. Those customers who also selected the sports suspension option coupled with low profile tyres should have ensured they left enough in their monthly budget for the chiropractors bills, so firm was the ride quality over typical British B-roads. The latest model rides a good deal more fluently than before with less constant pitter-patter from the road surface transmitting itself into the cabin. It still suffers from some bump and thump over larger irregularities and driven back to back with a BMW 3 Series, it has to be said that the latest A4 still doesnt match its Bavarian rival when it comes to dialling in a ride and handling compromise.
The A4 adopts some of the A6s suspension parts in an effort to reduce unsprung weight and bigger brakes have been introduced across the board with a trick brake disc wiping system that improves wet weather braking response. Optional xenon headlights with swivelling, adaptive cornering beams also make night driving a whole lot easier. Where the A4 knocks the BMW into next week is in interior design and perception of quality. Put simply, the A4 has moved the game on a good few notches.
The old A4 was held as the class best in terms of build integrity and ergonomics but some felt that from a design perspective, the acres of black plastics were starting to look a little too nineties. The latest model rectifies this, taking many of the design cues from the A8, including more imaginative use of contrasting coloured trims, metal brightwork and electronic functionality. The exterior styling changes arent limited to that bold front end. Every exterior body panel bar the roof is changed and although the basic dimensions are the same, improvements in the cars crash structures have optimised space.
Room in the back of the A4 still isnt class leading but the Avant estate versions can carry a useful sized load. The shape of the rear lights and sharper creases in the flanks give the A4 a good deal more styling flair than its predecessor without making the car look so different that residuals of the old model go into free fall. A4 2.5 TDI V6 buyers can choose from three trim levels, basic, SE and S-Line.
The S-Line derivatives add an extra sporty dimension and the SE piles on the equipment leaving the standard models free to appeal on grounds of price. Whichever A4 model you ultimately pick, youll be getting a highly polished product and the 2.5-litre TDi engine in particular looks a good bet next to comparatively priced diesel rivals.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Audi A4 2.5 TDi V6 range
PRICES: £24,125-£27,815 on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 14E
CO2 EMISSIONS: 186-192g/km
PERFORMANCE: [saloon] 0-60mph 8.8s / Max Speed 141mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [saloon] (urban) 29.1, (extra urban) 52.3, (combined) 40.9mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin airbags, side and curtain airbags, ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: (length/width/height) 181/70/61"
<< Back to Audi car reviews
<< Back to car reviews homepage
Find New & Used Cars in the UK |
New & Used Audi Cars For Sale UK
