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11 September 2025 Audi A4 B8 engines
The Audi A4 B8 was launched in 2007 as the fourth generation of the successful mid-size series and quickly established itself as a direct competitor to the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class. Over the entire production period from 2007 to 2015, Audi offered an impressive range of engines with innovative TFSI and TDI units that impressively demonstrated the brand's technological progress.
Audi A4 B8 engines (2007-2015)
The Audi A4 B8 generation marked a significant step in Audi's engine development and offered one of the most diverse engine ranges of its time. With proper maintenance, most Audi A4 B8 engines easily reach 250,000 to 350,000 kilometers, with major repairs typically occurring between 150,000 and 200,000 kilometers - mainly timing chains on the TFSI engines and injection systems on the TDI variants. The absolute highlight of this generation was the 3.0 TDI with 240 hp, which perfectly combined power, efficiency and reliability and is still considered one of the best diesel V6 engines today. Technically, Audi revolutionized the segment with the introduction of FSI direct injection for petrol engines and common-rail technology for diesels, while at the same time the first hybrid experiments were carried out with the A4 hybrid. In a market comparison, the A4 B8 positioned itself as a technological pioneer, clearly outperforming BMW and Mercedes in terms of engine variety and innovation.
Audi A4 B8 petrol engines (2007-2015)
The Audi A4 B8 engine range started with the tried-and-tested 1.8 TFSI (118 kW/160 PS), which established itself as a reliable entry-level engine. Above this was the 2.0 TFSI in various output levels from 132 kW (180 PS) to 155 kW (211 PS), with the latter being used in the sporty S line. For the power-hungry, Audi offered the potent 3.0 TFSI V6 with 200 kW (272 hp) and later even 245 kW (333 hp) in the S4. However, these Audi A4 B8 engines suffered from typical TFSI problems: Timing chain stretching from around 120,000 kilometers, coking of the intake valves due to direct injection and occasional problems with the high-pressure pumps. The 1.8 TFSI proved to be the most reliable petrol engine, while the powerful V6 units offered impressive performance, but also caused higher maintenance costs.
Audi A4 B8 diesel engines (2007-2015)
The Audi A4 B8 engines were dominated by the 2.0 TDI in various versions from 88 kW (120 hp) to 130 kW (177 hp). There was also the smaller 1.8 TDI with 88 kW (120 PS) and the powerful 3.0 TDI V6 with outputs ranging from 150 kW (204 PS) to an impressive 180 kW (245 PS) in the S4 TDI. The Audi A4 B8 2.0 TDI with 105 kW (143 hp) developed into the bestseller and most reliable engine of the entire model series - especially the variants produced from 2008 onwards with a revised common-rail system and particulate filter as standard proved to be exceptionally durable. These Audi A4 B8 engines already met the Euro 5 standard and offered fuel consumption figures of just 4.9 to 5.4 liters per 100 kilometers, while at the same time being highly suitable for everyday use.
Audi A4 B8 hybrid drive (2007-2015)
From 2011, Audi introduced the A4 hybrid, the first full hybrid in the model series. This combined a 2.0 TFSI with 155 kW (211 hp) and an electric motor with 33 kW (45 hp) to produce a system output of 180 kW (245 hp). The Audi A4 B8 hybrid offered an electric range of up to 3 kilometers and a combined fuel consumption of only 6.2 liters, but was not widely used due to its high complexity and limited trunk space.
| Audi A4 B8 engine | Power output | Fuel consumption | Typical weaknesses | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 TFSI | 160 HP | 6.8-7.4 l/100km | Timing chain from 120,000 km | Good |
| 2.0 TFSI | 180-211 HP | 7.2-8.1 l/100km | Timing chain, valve coking | Average |
| 3.0 TFSI | 272-333 HP | 8.9-10.2 l/100km | High pressure pump, high maintenance costs | Moderate |
| 1.8 TDI | 120 HP | 5.1-5.6 l/100km | Not very common | Average |
| 2.0 TDI | 120-177 HP | 4.9-5.8 l/100km | Very robust (143 PS variant) | Very good |
| 3.0 TDI | 204-245 HP | 5.7-6.4 l/100km | Excellent reliability | Very good |
| 2.0 hybrid | 245 HP | 6.2 l/100km | Complex, small trunk | Good |
Conclusion: The best Audi A4 B8 engines of all time
The development of the Audi A4 B8 engines impressively demonstrates Audi's innovative strength in engine technology. While the TDI engines consistently impressed with their reliability and efficiency, the TFSI petrol engines struggled with typical direct injection problems. Hybrid technology was ahead of its time, but was unable to assert itself due to its complexity.
- Best Audi A4 B8 gasoline engine:
The 1.8 TFSI (160 hp) offers the best balance of performance, consumption and reliability among the gasoline engines.
- Best Audi A4 B8 diesel engine:
The 3.0 TDI (240 hp) combines impressive performance with exceptional durability and is considered one of the best diesel V6 engines around.
- Best Audi A4 B8 hybrid engine:
The 2.0 hybrid (245 hp) was technologically advanced, but only suitable for everyday use to a limited extent due to its complexity.
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