Audi has introduced an impressive, powerful new six-cylinder engine for its A4 and A6 model range, combining the company’s exceptional FSI direct petrol injection technology with a potent 6-cylinder engine for the first time in Australia.

The 3.2 V6 FSI has all the features of an ultramodern petrol engine - direct petrol injection (FSI) with demand-controlled fuel supply, four valves per cylinder, a variable intake manifold and continuous camshaft adjustment on both the intake and the exhaust side.

The 3.2 FSI is one of Audi’s new chain-driven, 90 degree V-angle engines, specifically designed for maximum space efficiency and lower weight. Weighing less than 170kg, the aluminium engine delivers more power for a sportier driving experience.

“For all of its high-tech characteristics, the real nature of this V6 engine is revealed in the driving experience. It is smooth, responsive, powerful and flexible, offering the driver a heightened level of dynamism,” said Audi’s managing director, Mr Joerg Hofmann.

The V6 engine delivers its maximum output of 188 kW (255 bhp) at 6,500 rpm. Its peak torque of 330 Nm is available at 3,250 rpm.

The Audi A4 and its larger sibling, the Audi A6 3.2 FSI, are both available in front-wheel drive guise with multitronic continuously variable transmission. Both models are also available with permanent quattro four-wheel drive with a 6-speed tiptronic gearbox, with sport programme.

More than 90 percent of the engine's peak torque is available in the wide range between 1,900 and 5,900 rpm, an unique characteristic for a naturally-aspirated V6.

For the driver, this means a dynamic and forceful response to every movement of the accelerator pedal plus a broad usable speed range up to 7,200 rpm, hefty torque and excellent fuel efficiency - an average consumption of 9.7 litres per 100 km for the A4 multitronic version (A6: 9.9L/100km) is the best evidence of this engine’s efficiency and the special abilities of FSI technology.

As you’d expect from this high-performance engine, the overall vehicle package for both the A4 and A6 models represents excellent value, with a high level of standard specification including a full-sized spare wheel, cruise control, rain and headlight sensor, coming home/leaving lights and a multi-function leather steering wheel with shift paddles. The highest level of active and passive safety is also standard feature of these vehicles including Audi Dynamic Chassis, 8 airbags, Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP), anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Brake Assist and active front head restraints to name a few.

FSI engines develop more power and offer greater dynamism than conventional units with indirect fuel injection, yet maintain a very high standard of fuel economy. With this increased efficiency, Audi has once again demonstrated the proverbial progress through technology familiar to the brand.

FSI direct petrol injection has confirmed its unique potential several times over in the most challenging endurance test in the world, the legendary Le Mans 24-Hour Race. An engine with FSI direct injection has powered the Le Mans-winning Audi R8 since 2001.

Background – FSI technology

How does the FSI technology differ operationally from a conventional engine? The term "petrol direct injection" makes the central feature clear: in contrast to indirect injection, the fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber.

A common rail high-pressure injection system with a newly developed single-piston high-pressure pump operating on demand ensures exactly the right supply of fuel, delivering precisely the volume required for building up operating pressure between 30 and 110 bar.

In the intake tract, also comprising the two-stage variable intake manifold, moving charge-movement flaps provide the necessary tumble effect, swirling the induced air around depending on operating point. In order to achieve the high specific power and torque values, a new combustion process has been developed. This has the potential for worldwide application and for operation on the fuel grade RON 95/91. Together with the optimum geometry of the combustion chambers and the dosage of fuel injected with supreme accuracy down to the last millisecond, this allows a significant increase in compression:

While conventional production engines generally have a compression ratio of not more than 10.5:1, the compression ratio on Audi's 3.2 FSI power unit is 12.5:1 – a record on production cars and the essential prerequisite for the new engine's high standard of efficiency.

New base engine

Completely new in its design, the 3.2-litre V6 has been developed with the specific goal of maximum space efficiency: measuring only 360 millimetres in length and 430 millimetres in width, and weighing a mere 169.5 kg thanks to the use of aluminium, the engine offers significant benefits in terms of driving dynamics.

Like on Audi's new V-configuration engines in general, the cylinders are arranged at an angle of 90 degrees and the distance between cylinders is 90 millimetres. Cylinder bore of 84.5 millimetres and cylinder lift of 92.8 mm add up to an overall engine capacity of 3,123 cc.

The four-valve cylinder head with a side opening for the injection valve is another special feature designed specifically for this 3.2-litre power unit. Both the inlet and exhaust camshafts come with variable adjustment to ensure optimum results, in terms of both maximum output and an extremely broad peak-torque range.

The camshafts, oil pump and balancing shaft are all driven by four-piece chain drive of the same type as in the 4.2-litre eight-cylinder unit.

Emissions control in the 3.2 FSI is optimised by two ceramic catalytic converters positioned close to the engine. As a result, this high-performance power unit easily undercuts the EU4 emissions standard.

Fine-tuning of the exhaust system offers the driver yet another bonus: the distinctly sporty but never irritating sound of a genuine six-cylinder unit, making the qualities of the engine a truly sensory experience.