A4 avant 40tfsi review

[syed123]

Had my car in at Audi for some warranty work today and got lended a fwd 40tfsi avant.

I must say was damn impressed with the performance!

Had a a5 40tdi before which was of course more torqey but the tfsi version was much more responsive, maybe even quicker overall.

Surely it must be more than 190bhp on the dyno? I remember sitting in the higher powered version a while back, the 252ps and this didn't feel too far off that.

Obv comparing it to my mapped 272 isn't fair, but I could use the power in this more than my own, and the real world performance was more than respectable.

 

[psychopomp1]

I bought the same car in June 2018 (Black Edition A4 Avant 190 TFSI) & my impressions weren't the same. Build-wise and interior-wise, you couldn't fault it but power wise it was a bit meh after the initial excitement wore off Perhaps it was because I was used to driving diesels all my life and missed the torque? The fuel economy was pretty crap as well (I mainly did town driving) so i sold it 7 months later, only losing £2k or so. I bought a B7 Diesel as a run around, just waiting for the 50 TDI engine to be released in the A4 Avant My20 range, if at all. If it doesn't, then A6 Avant here I come!

 

[cuke2u]

Had my car in at Audi for some warranty work today and got lended a fwd 40tfsi avant.

I must say was damn impressed with the performance!

Had a a5 40tdi before which was of course more torqey but the tfsi version was much more responsive, maybe even quicker overall.

Surely it must be more than 190bhp on the dyno? I remember sitting in the higher powered version a while back, the 252ps and this didn't feel too far off that.

Obv comparing it to my mapped 272 isn't fair, but I could use the power in this more than my own, and the real world performance was more than respectable.

They are a good engine and the maximum torque will kick in before that of the diesel and be spread over a greater rpm range. In other words even though the equivalent 190ps dti has more torque it kicks in at 1750rpm but runs out of puff at 3000rpm. Whereas with the 190ps tfsi the maximum torque kicks in at 1450rpm and runs out at 4200rpm...

 

[syed123]

I bought the same car in June 2018 (Black Edition A4 Avant 190 TFSI) & my impressions weren't the same. Build-wise and interior-wise, you couldn't fault it but power wise it was a bit meh after the initial excitement wore off Perhaps it was because I was used to driving diesels all my life and missed the torque? The fuel economy was pretty **** as well (I mainly did town driving) so i sold it 7 months later, only losing £2k or so. I bought a B7 Diesel as a run around, just waiting for the 50 TDI engine to be released in the A4 Avant My20 range, if at all. If it doesn't, then A6 Avant here I come!

The 190tdi is more torquey, and on paper they are quite evenly matched. It's just the impression I got from behind the wheel especially when revving it out, just felt more sprightly and responsive.

Funnily enough it wasn't any more refined than the 190tdi, it sounded very similar in fact, quite a rorty soundtrack.

I get you about the diesels, my mapped 272 feels like it glides/wafts over the road and is more relaxing to drive imo. But the petrol was very decent for what it was, I'm sure it's making more than 190ps..

 

[syed123]

They are a good engine and the maximum torque will kick in before that of the diesel and be spread over a greater rpm range. In other words even though the equivalent 190ps dti has more torque it kicks in at 1750rpm but runs out of puff at 3000rpm. Whereas with the 190ps tfsi the maximum torque kicks in at 1450rpm and runs out at 4200rpm...

I noticed this too, you can drive it like a diesel, almost. Not as flexible as a diesel but not far off either.

Not that impressed with fuel economy so far. Have driven it gently but wen hammering it was considerably worse than my mapped 272

 

[Paul Golding]

Surprised about the fuel economy comment. My long term average, of close to 90% urban driving is 30 which compares to my previous 2.0tfsi B7 that showed 23.

Outside of town is where it really shines though. 200 odd miles of A (single and dual), B and single lane country roads yesterday gave me 52 mpg.

 

[cuke2u]

Agreed Paul, however you don't just buy a petrol for economy alone...

 

[syed123]

Surprised about the fuel economy comment. My long term average, of close to 90% urban driving is 30 which compares to my previous 2.0tfsi B7 that showed 23.

Outside of town is where it really shines though. 200 odd miles of A (single and dual), B and single lane country roads yesterday gave me 52 mpg.

The engine has just over 2k miles on it, so not properly loosened up.

Can't comment on motorway driving as have only had it a day, but when thrashing it it took much more than my 272 mapped would when driving that hard.

Early days though as it is technically a new car, can definitely believe you that you got those figures.

Cars these days are getting better and better economy/performance wise.

Like this has 190bhp but it feels more to me. It's possible as I heard the 252 version regular has higher bhp on the dyno than is claimed.

 

[cuke2u]

Torque is the key though, and how the car delivers it. Your 272 will have it in shed loads and the tuning box should make it more linear...

 

[syed123]

Torque is the key though, and how the car delivers it. Your 272 will have it in shed loads and the tuning box should make it more linear...

Yeah, the 272 has so much that it just wafts/glides. Really is like your surfing on it plus it's as refined as the 2litre petrol with a faint humming sound as the turbo spools.

The tuning box does make it more linear however you have to be gentle with the throttle. Much more satisfying to slowly build speed in It than just mash the pedal.

If I ever did shorter mileage this engine would be ideal in an a3 sized car.