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[extract] Audi is rather well known for producing performance orientated sedans. In fact, the company have a performance version of all their sedan models. Audi has been aggressively releasing new models of their cars ever since a revamp in styling recently. And the new Audi S4 gets the new styling treatment too. Audi

The all-new A8 and updated Q7 won't be the only vehicles in Audi's line-up to benefit from the automaker's new eight-speed gearbox. The octo-cog-swapper is set to proliferate throughout the Audi line-up in the coming year. For the 2011 model year, the A4 2.0 TFSI quattro sedan and Avant will come packing with the eight-speed tranny, along with the A5 2.0 TFSI quattro coupe and cabriolet (the manual six-speed will only be available on the coupe). In addition, the revised Q7, with its new high and low output 3.0-liter supercharged V6s, will replace the 3.6-liter V6 and 4.2-liter V8 for the 2011 model year. Both engines, along with the new 3.0-liter TDI, will come equipped with the eight-speed auto. Finally, Audi quietly revealed the 2.0 TFSI inline-four-equipped Q5 at the New York Auto Show, and part of the new package will also include the eight-speed autobox. The eight-speed automatic-equipped models promise to deliver improved fuel economy, quicker downshifts and, thanks to its compact packaging, no additional weight gain over the standard six-speed tiptronic.

Following their announcement in April, Audi has launched the new A4 2.0 TDI in Germany. Available as a sedan and wagon, the high-efficiency model features a two-liter diesel engine with 134 hp and an accompanying torque of 320 Nm. Paired to an optimized six-speed manual transmission, the A4 sedan does the century sprint in 9.5 seconds with a top speed of 215km/h. In Avant guise, 0-100 km/h takes 9.8 seconds with a top speed of 208 km/h. More importantly, the sedan averages 4.4 L/100km while the Avant returns 4.6 L/100km. Furthermore, CO2 emissions are relatively low as the sedan emits 115 g/km and the wagon produces 120 g/km. To achieve such impressive figures, the 2.0 TDI has been outfitted with an aerodynamic body kit, a reduced ride height, and 16-inch alloy wheels with low-rolling resistance tires. Additionally, the onboard computer offers tips about maximizing fuel economy. Currently on sale in Germany, the A4 2.0 TDI sedan starts at

Did you know that it basically took Audi 126.5 million years to finally agree with everyone alive that having a tall 4,6 or 8 cylinder engine set up high and way in front of the front axle does not do wonders to the handling of their front wheel drive sedans? Having driven the current A6, the previous generation A4 (B7 series) as well as the earlier ones too, I have to say that massive understeer is the preferred way for these front wheel drive Audis to corner. On the B7 A4 I remember driving it hard and it felt so nose heavy that even with a pointy nose it felt as if the steering was the one end of the stick and the other end was the large elephant hanging off of it. That A4 was a pretty good car and in 2.0TFSI form was a fast ride but the high speed handling on a twisty road was really bad. I would assume this trait would be lessened in the Quattro or All wheel drive version of the cars, but in the front wheel drive A4, it basically was awful. Now this brings us to the current B8 Audi A4 1.8 TFSI launched around two years ago. The car I tried is owned by a friend of mine and it is a car that is very familiar to me. His ride pictured above is the 1.8TFSI 160bhp spec that comes with the larger 18inch tires and rims. It looks so much better than the stock 17inch rims that the standard car is specced with. I suppose it was because of nearly universal criticism of mega understeer that Audi had finally decided to re-engineer the engine and gearbox placement of the A4. The wheels are now at least 8cm forward compared to the earlier setup and this equates to better handling as well steering feel. The car does not drive like you were sitting just slightly behind an arrow