Engine change gives A5 even more bite

Audi has announced an engine change for its A5 model, replacing the 170bhp 1.8 litre engine with a new 2.0 litre TFSI version. The new engine delivers 180bhp and Audi claims it brings improved performance and reduced emissions. The new engine is positioned below the existing 2.0 TFSI 211bhp version. Derived from the 211bhp version of the turbo-charged 2.0-litre, four-cylinder FSI engine introduced earlier this year in the A5, and sharing its new, economy-enhancing Audi valve-lift technology, the new 180bhp unit holds a 10bhp power advantage over the 1.8 TFSI, and delivers its peak output 800rpm earlier. Torque also increases by 70Nm to 320Nm, which is available from 1,500rpm to 3,900rpm, ensuring that the A5 2.0 TFSI can out-accelerate its predecessor to 100km/h by 0.6 seconds, taking 7.8 seconds to go the distance, and can continue to 240km/h. The 0-100km/h acceleration performance has been cut from 8.4 to 7.8 seconds and the car is designed to achieve a higher top speed. The new engine brings a 7.5 per cent fuel economy benefit as well as lowering the CO2 emission figure from 169g/km to 154g/km. This enhancement to the A5 engine range is further evidence of the pursuit by Audi of a 20 per cent decrease in fleet-wide CO2 emissions by 2012, as pledged by the Audi board of management. Within the past 12 months, Audi engineers have managed to make significant progress towards this target in the core ranges, reducing average CO2 output by around nine per cent for the A5, 10 per cent for the A3 hatchback, six per cent for the A4 Saloon and eight per cent for its Avant equivalent. Standard specification for the new A5 2.0 TFSI 180bhp will include 17-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels, three-zone electronic climate control, a 10-speaker Concert CD audio system, full Milano leather upholstery and rear acoustic parking. Sport models with sports suspension ride 20mm lower on larger 18-inch 10-spoke V design alloy wheels, and get an upgrade to sports seats inside.