The Audi RS 4 Avant - full throttle - the powertrain

With the 2.9 TFSI V6 biturbo, Audi Sport GmbH takes up where the legendary 2.7-liter V6 of the first RS 4 Avant from 1999 left off. At the time, the V6 biturbo produced 279 kW (380 hp). In the new RS 4 Avant, it now produces 331 kW (450 hp) - an output of 155.5 hp per liter. As a result, the RS 4 Avant needs only between 3.9 and 4.1 seconds (depending on equipment) to go from 0 to 100 km/h. The TFSI unit weighs just 182 kilograms, 31 kilograms less than the V8 engine in the predecessor model from 2012, benefiting the overall weight and axle load distribution - two prerequisites for the impressive driving performance. The V6 biturbo delivers a full 600 Nm of torque to the crankshaft in the broad engine speed range from 1,900 to 5,000 rpm. With the RS dynamics package, the electronically limited top speed rises from 250 to 280 km/h, and to 290 km/h in conjunction with the optional competition packages. The two turbochargers of the 2.9 TFSI are each assigned to a cylinder bank and build up up to 1.5 bar of boost pressure. As with all Audi V6 and V8 engines, the turbochargers are mounted in the 90-degree inner V of the cylinder banks; accordingly, the exhaust side of the cylinder heads is on the inside and the intake side on the outside. This layout enables a compact design and short throttle travel with minimal flow losses - as a result, the 2.9 TFSI responds particularly spontaneously to movements of the right pedal. The high-performance V6 impresses not only with strong performance but also with high efficiency. In the new WLTP driving cycle, it makes do with 8.8 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, which corresponds to 201 grams of CO2 per kilometer. This means a 17 percent reduction in consumption compared with the predecessor model. A decisive factor in this is Audi's new TFSI combustion process called the B-cycle. It is specially designed for the partial load range, which is by far the predominant operating mode. At higher loads and engine speeds, the two-stage Audi valvelift system (AVS) closes the intake valves later - the opening time is extended to 200 degrees crank angle. At the same time, the valve lift increases from 6 to 10 millimeters. The cylinder filling increases accordingly - the engine revs up powerfully and delivers opulent performance.