Maybe this is old news, so forgive me. I did a search and didn't find anything.

I'm on my way to lunch and see a new A5 on a transport trailer - noticed the badge said 2.0 on it. Hmmm? Thought to myself, "wow, Audi is making the 2.0L engine available to lower the base price of the A5"

I went on their website and lo and behold - it looks like the 2.0 engine is the only engine you can get unless you want the S5.

I know the 2.0 Turbo is a pretty nice engine and gets rave reviews... but I'm not sure if I could pay close to $50k for a well optioned A5 and not have a V6.

 

Yes Audi A4 and A5 are what FWD (A5 is AWD only) and 2.0 4 cylinders in base form. They do have good torque though and clearly better MPG than a V-6. The S5 also dropped the V-8 for the V-6 S/C though it will be badged "T" for turbo lol.
A4 base

2.0 TFSI® Premium with multitronic® CVT and FrontTrak® front-wheel drive $ 32,300
2.0 TFSI® Premium with six-speed manual transmission and quattro® $ 33,300
2.0 TFSI® Premium with eight-speed Tiptronic® transmission and quattro® $ 34,500
2.0 TFSI® Premium Plus with multitronic CVT® and FrontTrak® front-wheel drive $ 35,750
2.0 TFSI® Premium Plus with six-speed manual transmission and quattro® $ 36,600
2.0 TFSI® Premium Plus with eight-speed Tiptronic® transmission and quattro® $ 37,900
2.0 TFSI® Prestige with six-speed manual transmission and quattro® $ 41,800
2.0 TFSI® Prestige with eight-speed Tiptronic® transmission and quattro® $ 43,100

A5 base

2.0 TFSI® Premium with six-speed manual transmission and quattro® $ 36,900
2.0 TFSI® Premium with with eight-speed Tiptronic® transmission and quattro® $ 38,200
2.0 TFSI® Premium Plus with six-speed manual transmission and quattro® $ 40,600
2.0 TFSI® Premium Plus with eight-speed Tiptronic® transmission and quattro® $ 41,900
2.0 TFSI® Prestige with six-speed manual transmission and quattro® $ 45,600
2.0 TFSI® Prestige with eight-speed Tiptronic® transmission and quattro® $ 46,900

 

It was a stupid decision when Audi debuted this car with NA V6 that was very lacking compared to the competition.

To get rid of a V6 all together is an idiotic decision.

Such a gorgeous car Audi has made, and its a shame they can't give it a proper engine.

 

so you know the 2.0 turbo makes more torque than the 3.2 did right?
........258 versus 243 and over a broader range as well.

so I'm not missing that particular V6....but you're right, they need a much better V6 for this beautiful car.

 

I'm not missing that particular V6 either, but I'd rather have less powerful V6 vs an I4.

They need a V6 that can compete with Lexus 3.5 and BMW TT3.0

 

To be fair, I think the S4 is supposed to compete with the Lexus IS350 and BMW 335i.

 

^^^

That would be S4/S5 - they should be competing with IS-F/M3 for the asking price.

 

hummmmm

S5 starts at $53K
S4 starts at $47K

IS350 $39K
IS-F $59K

M3 coupe $61K
M3 sedan $58K

 

Yeah the S4/S5 are some blend of car that competes with a top of the line IS F sport or 335 sport. They aren't M/F/AMG competitors, the RS cars are.

In regards to sales, people don't seem to mind. The A5 in particular sells as well as the V-6 only G37 without the lease specials or large discounts. The A4 sells pretty well too.

 

I mean, Audis are generally underpowered for whatever price class they are competing in. That said, I test drove the 2.0T A5 and was decently surprised at how much pick up it had.

 

The I-4 may be equal to the V6 but it's the stigma of having a four cylinder in a $50k car vis-a-vis all top line cars must have V8s (LS, 7, S, A8, etc.).

I wish Audi's "R" series would be the next level up from standard version without the price premium. I think the price premium would be justified with the "RS" which truly competes with the M and AMG.

 

In any case:
They all use 8-speed Tiptronic for America?

No S-tronic DSG available?

 

The only way to get a V6 in the "5" line is to buy an S5 Cabriolet. It's still offered. The S5 Coupe makes due with a V8. Rumor is 2011 is the last year the coupe will offer the V8. It's to gain the V6 from the Cabriolet.
Overall, I agree Audi's models and engines do not line up well with the other makers.

 

I think A5's sell mostly to those that appreciate its style, luxury and comfort mostly.

 

uh, have you driven a VW/Audi with the 2.0T and DSG? amazingly smooth and quite responsive.