Checkered Flag Audi

Audi's all-new A4 Avant made its world debut at this year's Geneva Motor Show, but the cargo mover made a rather quiet North American debut at last week's New York Auto Show. Along with that debut, Audi released some information on the U.S.-bound A4 — including the sedan and the wagon.

The biggest news is that Audi will only offer a four-cylinder engine in the A4 Avant. That engine will be Audi's tried and true 2.0L turbocharged TFSI unit, tuned to produce 211 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque — up from the current model's 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. Despite being down a few cylinders, the A4 Avant is said to be able to make the sprint from 0-60 in 6.5 seconds.

The A4 Sedan will come standard with the Avant's lone engine choice, but a 3.2L V6 — with 265 horsepower — will also be available.

Audi says "a number of transmission option" will be available for both models, but only listed that both cars will be available with a six-speed manual and that the 3.2 L V6 sedan can be had with a Tiptronic gearbox.

Oddly, Audi's press release had no mention of a Quattro all-wheel drive system for either car, but it would be hard to imagine Audi not offering its signature technology in its best selling model.

Story from LeftLaneNews

While premium hybrid SUVs haven't proven their worth in the U.S. market yet, automakers will have a good fix on whether or not offering a gasoline-electric hybrid 'ute is good business sense in the coming years. Audi has apparently already made the call, and after studying the business case and watching the U.S. dollar tank, it's decided that the Q7 hybrid SUV is not bound for U.S. shores.

"It was a very hard car to make the numbers work," according to Johan de Nysschen, Audi's brand head in the U.S. "We will not do the hybrid Q7 as a conventional product offering," de Nysschen continued, saying only that a few hybrid Q7s will make the trek across the pond and find their way into the hands of "commercial" entities.

However, all is not lost for a fuel-sipping version of Audi's land yacht, with the eminent arrival of the diesel Q7 in the next year or so, the SUV will spearhead Audi's diesel offerings, followed by an oil-burning A4 around the turn of the decade.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]  Story brought to us by AutoBlog.

Everyone at Checkered Flag is excited to see Ed Klima and Joe Hernandez take the reigns at Checkered Flag Audi.  To start 2008 off Checkered Flag brought Richard Hutsko down to Audi as the General Manager, and Richard has been making some big moves ever since!  Joe is returning Checkered Flag employee and is now the Used Car Manager.  Ed Klima has worked for Checkered Flag for over 6 years now and is now the New Car Manager.  Congratulations to both of them!