tomashek

Diesel Audi A8, A6, and Q5 in the U.S. in 24 to 30 Months, Next-Gen A4 TDI in 2014 - Car and Driver Blog

Audi will launch diesel engine options for the A8, A6, and Q5 in the U.S. within the next 24 to 30 months, according to an announcement made today by Johan de Nysschen, the president of Audi’s American division.

We expect that the A8 and A6—both recently redesigned—will be powered by Audi’s excellent 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V-6, which produces 225 hp and 406 lb-ft in the Q7 TDI. Audi does offer an eight-cylinder diesel engine in the A8 in Europe, but it’s unlikely that engine will make the journey here. Sales stats show that Americans prefer diesel engines oriented towards fuel economy—like the engines found in the Q7 TDI, BMW X5 diesel, and Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec—rather than those tuned for brute performance, as in the BMW 335d or the last-gen VW Touareg V-10 TDI. Installing a V-6 TDI in the A8 also will allow Audi to go head-to-head with Mercedes-Benz’s recently unveiled S350 BlueTec, which also uses a six-cylinder diesel.

Audi’s compact crossover, the Q5, would be well-suited to receive the company’s 2.0-liter diesel four. In America, that engine also does duty in the A3 and the Volkswagen Jetta and Golf TDI; in those applications it makes 140 hp and 236 lb-ft. It’s also possible that the company would opt for the 170-hp, 258-lb-ft version of that motor, which currently is offered in a plethora of European-market VW Group models.

Unfortunately, Audi’s boss explains, because the current-gen Audi A4 wasn’t designed to offer a diesel engine in the U.S. from the outset, the cost and time required to federalize a diesel A4 would take until the end of the car’s life cycle. De Nysschen does say, however, that diesel power is part of the powertrain strategy for the next-gen U.S.-market A4. That car is already well under development, and we expect it to go on sale in late 2014.

USPAVANTWANTED

Great timing. By that time folks will be thirsty for a diesel engine, even if they have to pay a premium for it. The way fuel prices are headed, I predict it will be a no brainer.

Adrena

About time. Thanks for the info!!

warcity

iTrader: (1)

This is so exciting. I am loving it.

I hope diesel prices fall below gas prices like they used to be. I also hope the quality of Canadian diesel improves.

sakimano

bring the little diesels...not the 3.0TDI (which is awesome)...but bring the frigging 1.4 over here and show the prius what's what.

a 1.6 TDI A3 would be a great car. Or a 1.6 Q5. The e line does will in Europe. It matches up with a Prius, but in a luxurious 3700lb sedan. Very compelling.

The 2.0TDI Q5 quattro in the UK is rated at 45.6 mpg (Imperial gallons)

that's the same as 38 mpg US gallons...or 6.2 l/100km...or 16 km per litre (i.e. 1000km/64l tank)

Tim$2

Could be worse, you could be buying American diesel and shred your entire fuel system.

jlr_1304

Dream on. Old diesel contained much more sulfur, which is now pretty much gone, giving much higher refinery costs.

and BTW, i was the first to published the diesel Q5 news.

https://www.audiforum.ca/q5-q7/63838...next-year.html

mikeh

Audi's clean diesel initiative here in the United States started with the A3 TDI hatchback and Q7 TDI crossover, but in the coming years, we can expect the vast majority of the company's volume models to offer oil-burning powerplants. This isn't the first time the German automaker has spoke of expanding its diesel lineup here in the U.S., but during a press conference this morning, Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen outlined exactly what we can expect to see over the next 24 to 30 months.

The first new implementations of TDI clean diesel will be in the A6 and A8 sedans, as well as the Q5 crossover. All three of these models are expected to have hybrid variants, as well, meaning customers will have a full range of powertrain options in the coming years.

As for the A4 – Audi's highest-volume model – TDI power is still in the cards for U.S. consumption. Instead of offering a diesel engine in the current model, Audi will be waiting until the next-generation car arrives. The all-new A4 is expected to launch in 2015, or possibly even 2014.

Finally, de Nysschen stated that Audi's first electric vehicle is expected to arrive in the U.S. by early 2013. The automaker's e-tron EV technology has been displayed multiple times over the past few years, and while it's unclear exactly what sort of electric vehicle will arrive in the U.S., our bet is on something R8-based to rival BMW's new EfficientDynamics i8 sports car.

seahaul

anything new here? Has anyone heard when a Q5 diesel will be available?

flightmedic

Would like to see the 3.0 TDI in the Q5.