2009 Audi A3
The 2010 Audi A3 receives the 2.0-liter turbodiesel 4-cylinder engine from the Volkswagen Jetta TDI.

Less is more for Volkswagen’s premium brand as it enters the 2010 model year. While all models offered for 2009 return, most have fewer trim levels and offer simplified option selection. The 3.2-liter V6 engine found in most of Audi’s cars has been all but eliminated, while thrifty clean-diesel power makes its debut in the company’s entry-level car. Note that models not mentioned here see minor trim or otherwise no significant changes.

2010 Audi A3: Audi’s entry-level premium compact car no longer offers a V6 engine. The top-end all-wheel-drive 3.2 quattro S line model is replaced by the front-wheel-drive 2.0 TDI. Powered by the 140-horsepower 2.0-liter turbodiesel 4-cylinder engine from the Volkswagen Jetta TDI, the A3 TDI uses a 6-speed automatic transmission. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 30 mpg city/42 mpg highway.

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2010 Audi A4: Following its model-year 2009 redesign, Audi’s best-selling car sees some changes. Sedan and Avant wagon body styles continue, while the convertible moves to the brand’s A5 lineup. After a single model year, the V6-powered A4 3.2 quattro has been discontinued. Due mid-model year is the high-performance S4 sedan. It has a 333-horsepower 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine that teams with a 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic transmission.

2010 Audi A5: Audi’s sporty coupe lineup gains a new soft-top convertible body style for 2010. Also new are the availability of front-wheel drive and a 4-cylinder engine. The entry-level A5 2.0T has the brand’s 211-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The high-performance S5 convertible has Audi’s new 333-horsepower supercharged 3.0-liter V6. Note that the S5 coupe retains a 354-horsepower 4.2-liter V8.

2010 Audi A6: The base A6 3.2 premium midsize sedan gets a 10-horsepower boost to 265.

2010 Audi A8: The ultra-luxury W12 and high-performance S8 models have been discontinued.

2010 Audi Q7: A revised version of Audi’s Multi Media Interface (MMI) borrowed from the Q5 premium compact SUV is the major change for the brand’s flagship premium large SUV.

2010 Audi R8: This exotic car bucks the “less is more” trend by going with “more is more.” The 420-horsepower 4.2-liter V8 model is joined for 2010 by a 525-horsepower 5.2-liter V10. At $146,000, the 5.2 costs nearly $32,000 more than the 4.2.

2010 Audi TT: The front-wheel drive and V6-powered versions of this sporty coupe and convertible have been discontinued.

09.01.2009