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1990s
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History

 Audi A4 First Generation

 (1994 to 2001)
udi A4 First Generation range and history
Production 1994–2001
Model years 1996–2001
Body style 4 door saloon/sedan, 5-door Avant (estate/wagon)
Platform Volkswagen Group B5 (PL45) platform
Transmission 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic 5-speed ZF 5HP19 automatic
Wheelbase 2,615 mm (103.0 in)
Length 4,520 mm (178.0 in); Avant: 4,488 mm (176.7 in)
Width 1,733 mm (68.2 in)
Height 1,415 mm (55.7 in); Avant: 1,440 mm (56.7 in)
Related Audi S4 (B5), Audi RS4 (B5)

 

The first generation Audi A4 (known internally as the Typ 8D) debuted in 1994,with production starting November 1994. It was built on the Volkswagen Group B5 (PL45) platform, which it shared with the fourth generation Volkswagen Passat (B5, Typ 3B). It had a front-mounted longitudinal engine and front-wheel drive. Many variations of the A4 were also available with Audi's quattro four-wheel drive system. The A4 was initially introduced as a four-door saloon/sedan; the Avant (estate/wagon) arrived a year later.

A wide range of internal combustion engines were available in European markets, between 1.6 and 2.8 litres for petrol engines; and a 1.9 litre diesel engine available with Volkswagen Group's VE technology, capable of achieving a 90 PS (66 kW; 89 bhp) or 110 PS (81 kW; 108 bhp), although Audi's 2.8 litre V6 engine, carried over from the old 80/90 was the only engine option in North America until 1997.

udi A4 First Generation specs

The Audi A4 was the first model in the Volkswagen Group to feature the new 1.8 litre 20v engine with five valves per cylinder, based on the unit Audi Sport had developed for their Supertouring race car. A turbocharged version produced 150 PS (110 kW; 148 bhp) and 210 newton metres (155 lb·ft) torque. This technology was added to the V6 family of engines in 1996, starting with the 2.8 litre V6 30v, which now produced 193 PS (142 kW; 190 bhp).

Audi also debuted their new tiptronic automatic transmission on the B5 platform, based on the unit Porsche developed for their 964-generation 911. The transmission is a conventional automatic gearbox with a torque converter offering the driver fully automatic operation or manual selection of the gear ratios.

udi A4 First Generation dash view

Options: Equipment included on some trim levels
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • ABS
  • Alarm
  • Alloy wheels
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD
  • Central locking
  • Climate control
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Cruise control
  • Driver`s airbag
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Electric mirrors
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Electric sunroof
  • Folding rear seats
  • Front electric windows
  • Front fog lights
  • Headlight washers
  • Heated mirrors
  • Heated seats
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Leather seat trim
  • Lumbar support
  • Metallic Paint
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • PAS
  • Passenger`s airbag
  • Rear electric windows
  • Remote locking
  • Roof rails
  • Side airbags
  • Space saver spare wheel
  • Sports seats
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
  • Traction control

B5 facelift (1997–2001)

A refreshed B5 A4 range appeared at the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show, with sales beginning in Europe in early 1998. The 2.8 litre 30-valve V6 engine replaced the 2.8 litre 12-valve. A 2.5 litre V6 Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engine with 150 PS (110 kW; 148 bhp) was standard on the quattro. A six-speed manual gearbox was available, as well as the new high-performance Audi S4, now part of the A4 lineup (the previous S4 had been an Audi 100). Cosmetic updates included new rear lights, headlights, door handles, and other minor exterior/interior changes.

In mid-1998, the 1.8 20vT engine available outside Europe had its power output raised to 170 PS (125 kW; 168 bhp). The previous KKK K03 turbocharger, although fundamentally unchanged, received revisions on the turbine side to prevent cracking due to heat The 12-valve V6 was replaced by the 30-valve unit which had been available in Europe for two years.

A further facelift took place across the A4 and S4 platform during the 1999 model year; changes were largely cosmetic, but affected many components, such as both front and rear bumpers, the front and rear lights, the center console, and door handles

In 1999 Audi also debuted an even higher performance RennSport model, the RS4 Avant, like its predecessor RS2, available only in the Avant bodystyle.

 udi A4 First Generation rs Avant

Technical

  • B5 engines

    The following engines were available:

    engine type max. power max. torque top speed (saloon) 0–100 km/h (62 mph) (saloon) (manual) years CO2 emissions
    petrol engines all fuel injected
    1.6 I4 8v SOHC 101 PS (74 kW; 100 bhp) 140 N·m (103 lbf·ft) 191 km/h (118.7 mph) 11.9 sec 1994–2001 174 g/km
    1.6 I4 8v SOHC 102 PS (75 kW; 101 bhp) 148 N·m (109 lbf·ft)   11.9 sec 2000–2001 192 g/km
    1.8 I4 20v DOHC 125 PS (92 kW; 123 bhp) 173 N·m (128 lbf·ft) 205 km/h (127.4 mph) 10.5 sec 1994–2001 182 g/km
    1.8T I4 20v DOHC Turbo 150 PS (110 kW; 148 bhp) 210 N·m (155 lbf·ft) 222 km/h (137.9 mph) 8.3 sec 1994–2001 182 g/km
    1.8T I4 20v DOHC Turbo 180 PS (132 kW; 178 bhp) 235 N·m (173 lbf·ft) 233 km/h (144.8 mph) 7.9 sec 1997–2001 194 g/km
    2.4 V6 30v DOHC 165 PS (121 kW; 163 bhp) 230 N·m (170 lbf·ft) 225 km/h (139.8 mph) 8.4 sec 1997–2001 226 g/km
    2.6 V6 12v SOHC 150 PS (110 kW; 148 bhp) 225 N·m (166 lbf·ft) 220 km/h (136.7 mph) 9.1 sec 1994–1997  
    2.8 V6 12v SOHC 174 PS (128 kW; 172 bhp) 245 N·m (181 lbf·ft) 230 km/h (142.9 mph) 8.2 sec 1994–1997  
    2.8 V6 30v DOHC 193 PS (142 kW; 190 bhp) 280 N·m (207 lbf·ft) 240 km/h (149.1 mph) 7.4 sec 1997–2001  
    diesel engines all Direct Injection (DI)
    1.9 DI I4 8v SOHC 75 PS (55 kW; 74 bhp) 150 N·m (111 lbf·ft) 158 km/h (98.2 mph)   1996–2001
    1.9 TDI I4 8v SOHC 90 PS (66 kW; 89 bhp) 202 N·m (149 lbf·ft) 168 km/h (104.4 mph) 13.3 sec 1994–1997 125 g/km
    1.9 TDI I4 8v SOHC 90 PS (66 kW; 89 bhp) 210 N·m (155 lbf·ft) 168 km/h (104.4 mph) 13.3 sec 1997–2001 143 g/km
    1.9 TDI I4 8v SOHC 110 PS (81 kW; 108 bhp) 225 N·m (166 lbf·ft) 183 km/h (113.7 mph) 11.3 sec 1994–1997 114 g/km
    1.9 TDI I4 8v SOHC 110 PS (81 kW; 108 bhp) 235 N·m (173 lbf·ft) 183 km/h (113.7 mph) 11.3 sec 1997–2000 114 g/km
    1.9 TDI I4 8v SOHC PD 115 PS (85 kW; 113 bhp) 285 N·m (210 lbf·ft) 185 km/h (115.0 mph) 10.5 sec 2000–2001 123 g/km
    2.5 V6 TDI 24v DOHC 150 PS (110 kW; 148 bhp) 310 N·m (229 lbf·ft) 210 km/h (130.5 mph) 9.0 sec 1997–2001 184 g/km

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German Automotive 2000s | German Automotive 1990s | Vehicles launched in 1994 | Audi A4

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