Audi launches Euro 4 compliant V6 diesel

8 July 2003

Volkswagen has launched new Euro 4 compliant diesel engines for its revised Audi A6 executive saloon and Avant ranges. The new Euro 4 models are available with two 2.5 TDI V6 engines rated at 163 hp and 180 hp. In the UK market, the Euro 4 label will eliminate the 3% tax premium for business users which is payable on Euro 3 vehicles.

According to VW, the new A6 saloon and Avant models are the world’s first Euro 4 vehicles in the executive class, bringing potential tax saving of £2,500 for A6 2.5 TDI buyers. The majority of saloon and Avant versions of the A6 2.5 TDI are now Euro 4 compliant, with the exception of the 2.5 TDI quattro (180 hp) with tiptronic automatic transmission.

The two Audi 2.5-liter V6 TDI engines—163 hp for front wheel drive models and 180 hp for the quattros—have been revised for full compliance with Euro 4 emission regulations, which come into force in 2005. The Euro 4 standards have been met through the use of modified components to reduce friction in the valve gear and improved cooling, increases in compression ratio (17.8:1) and fuel injection pressure (up to 2,000 bar). The engines also feature European on-board diagnostics for continuous monitoring of exhaust emissions. Euro 4 compliance has been achieved without the use of diesel particulate filters.

The new V6 TDI models (as well as V6 gasoline) are now equipped as standard with automatic transmission—five-speed tiptronic for the 3.0 quattro and 2.5 TDI quattro (180 hp) and six-speed multitronic continuously variable (CVT) for the 2.4 petrol and 2.5 TDI (163 hp). Manual transmission will be available as a no cost option for six-cylinder models. The prices in the UK market range from £21,055 to £48,655.

Audi’s latest four-cylinder 1.9 TDI and 2.0 TDI engines powering the A3 hatchback also comply with Euro 4.

UK’s corporate car taxation rates are based on the vehicle CO₂ emission factor, thus giving diesels an advantage over gasoline vehicles which consume more fuel and emit more CO₂. However, a 3% extra premium is charged on diesels to compensate for their higher NOx and PM emissions. This 3% premium is eliminated for Euro 4 compliant diesel cars.

Source: VW