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Fuel-Sipping 2017 Audi A4 ultra 2.0 TFSI FWD Priced From $35,850

$35,850 for the Premium or $39,650 for the Premium Plus, that’s how much the 2017 Audi A4 ultra 2.0 TFSI FWD costs in the U.S. And yes, it’s front-wheel-drive, which is a bit meh when you take into consideration that the BMW 320i is gifted with good old RWD.
2017 Audi A4 ultra 2.0 TFSI quattro (European model) 6 photos
Photo: Audi
2017 Audi A4 ultra 2.0 TFSI2017 Audi A4 ultra 2.0 TFSI2017 Audi A4 ultra 2.0 TFSI2017 Audi A4 ultra 2.0 TFSI2017 Audi A4 ultra 2.0 TFSI
If, however, you’re the type who sees the glass half full, you will be thrilled to find out that the A4 ultra 2.0 TFSI FWD is leading its segment in terms of fuel economy: 27 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, 31 mpg combined. By comparison, the closest rival - the 2017 Volvo S60 T5, is EPA-rated 25 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 29 mpg on the combined driving cycle.

What makes the front-wheel-drive ultra so efficient? According to Audi, the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-banger “utilizes a combustion method with shorter compression and longer-expansion phases.” In addition to this technical solution, “the compression ratio was increased from 9.6:1 to 11.7:1, further improving the engine’s efficiency.”

With 190 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque available from 1,450 to 4,200 rpm, this fuel-sipping sedan also happens to be quick. To be more specific, 0 to 60 mph takes just 7.1 seconds and the top end exceeds the 85 mph speed limit enforced on a particular Texas freeway.

The steep suggested retail price does come with an extensive list of standard equipment, though. Panoramic sunroof, xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights, dynamic LED taillights, 17-inch five-spoke design wheels, all-season tires, ambient LED lighting, leather seating surfaces, three-zone climate control, seven-speed S tronic tranny, this sedan is rather nifty.

Slated to go on sale this fall, the 2017 Audi A4 ultra 2.0 TFSI with front-wheel-drive also boasts an excruciatingly long options list. The highlights that might interest prospective buyers are the Audi virtual cockpit, MMI all-in-touch system, Audi connect infotainment, and 4G LTE connectivity.

Now here's a top tip for you - just ignore the A4 ultra and just go for the 2017 Audi A4 2.0 TFSI with the dual-clutch automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel-drive system. It's a little more expensive and it's not as economical, alright, but it's more rewarding to drive, especially in the winter.
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Editor's note: European-spec Audi A4 ultra 2.0 TFSI quattro S Line pictured.

About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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