Audi has come up with a new four-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine, which will first see service in the impending new A4 due out later this year.
This latest motor is a 2.0 TFSI unit, although don't be confused by the existence of the 225hp 2.0 already in existence; this new engine, making 190hp, 320Nm and capable of returning 56mpg (5.0 litres/100km) economy, instead replaces the old 1.8 TFSI with 170hp.
Audi calls this a 'prime example of rightsizing'. We've all heard of downsizing, of course - replacing a wasteful, normally aspirated six cylinder engine with a frugal turbocharged four-cylinder of equivalent/better power and torque - but Ingolstadt says there comes a point when the smaller engine gets too small for the application; thus, a 190hp 2.0 in an A4 is just the 'right size'.
This new, 1,984cc motor makes its 320Nm across 1,450- to 4,400 rpm, meaning performance is easy to access, and the unit weighs just 140kg in total. It achieves its figures thanks to short intake times, increased inlet boost pressure and earlier closing of the intake valves, among other highly technical measures that we shan't bore you with here. Let's just say the engine is both powerful and efficient.
Anything else?
Audi's technical director, Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, said: "We're now taking a crucial step further with 'rightsizing'. Rightsizing thus involves the optimal interplay of vehicle class, displacement, output, torque and efficiency characteristics under everyday conditions. Our new 2.0 TFSI is a prime example of Vorsprung durch Technik."
Once it has been introduced in the new A4, the 2.0 TFSI 190hp will be rolled out to other Audi model lines soon afterwards - and probably into many Volkswagen Group cars as well.