Hot on the heels of the news that BMW in contemplating four-cylinder power for its entry-level cars in the U.S., Audi announced today that it will begin offering a 2.0 TDI or a 2.0 TFSI as the base engine for its Q5 SUV.
Unfortunately, the Audi news was for European models only. As of now, there are no plans to bring either engine to the States for use in the Q5. Then again, BMW probably didn't have any plans to bring its four-cylinders to the U.S. either. We'll see if the new fuel economy regulations alter Audi's plans in any significant way, especially given that it has been one of the few companies to embrace four-cylinder power over the years.
blueguydotcom says:
11:31 AM, 07/10/09
Yes, please continue to feed into the hysteria regarding fuel standards.
BMW SUPPORTED the new standards. Why would they support the changes if they didn't believe they could meet the challenge?
roar02ram says:
12:21 PM, 07/10/09
I think that a 2.0 Q5 would be a mistake though, given the highly competent & similarly powered Tiguan...
billt9 says:
11:53 PM, 07/10/09
2.0 TDI would be great.
You buy a luxury car for the luxury materials and comfort.
Not for a mandatory gas guzzling engine.
cdyer says:
08:23 AM, 07/11/09
Tiguan & q5 are actually very different--not like the old days of Dasher and Fox. Q5 drives like a 3-series/s4--pretty impressive. Tig, not so much. Anyway, let's dispell the myth that tiny engines in big, heavy cars is efficient. It's not. (see C&D comparison of big motor vs. small; kinda eye opening). Cars need to get lighter and/or smaller.
daskiing1 says:
05:47 PM, 07/11/09
Idk, a bmw 120d/123d/320d/323d would be an interesting proposition. Diesel 4 cylinder may be the only way for BMW to make a good 4 cylinder entrance for the US. And audi should be selling the Q5 with a 2.0 TDI here, seeing as thats what an SUV really needs is torque, not top end power.
flwind says:
07:47 AM, 07/14/09
I love 4 bangers, but they have no place on the so called Luxury brands. That is unless they come with a discounted price tag. Charging $40k+ for a 4 cyl car is highway robbery! Audi is the king of this. Selling crappy 2.0 A4s for over 40 grand. Why any one would pay that much for those is beyond me when you can have a Jetta with pretty much same engine for 1/2 the price. One pays a premium for "Luxury" for an all around package, not just pretty upholstery and lots of gizmos.