[s-cars] Manual RS6

[Robin St.Clair]

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[ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]

Frank

The emissions situation pertains to EU4 standards in Europe, not the US; yo=
u will find that the RS6 engine walks the California test. MTM has a conver=
sion for the RS4 to bring it up to EU4 standards, I would be surprised if i=
t wasn't possible with the RS6, despite the engine being a 15 year old desi=
gn (yes, its taken them that long to find a chassis).

In US form the engine is somewhat modified, not producing its torque over s=
uch a wide range and slightly detuned, I would guess because of US warranty=
 requirements (much shorter warranties in Europe).

The manual gearbox for the new S4 is designed for the revised 4.2litre engi=
ne with the timing chain at the rear. With strengthened innards and some co=
nnecting modifications, it could be made to bolt up to the RS6 engine. The =
strengthened RS4 gearbox, with a modified Sachs clutch will fit the RS6, bu=
t at great cost (read $20,000). The ECU programming has to be hugely modifi=
ed for the manual box as all the clever stuff to do with holding gears in b=
ends is in the ECU, not isolated in the tiptronic sub-system.

A Kleemann modified E55 recently was timed at 338km/h (211 mph). Now with o=
ver 600 bhp in a modified RS6, lets see if 350kph (219 MPH) is achievable. =
Sounds like Auto Union going up against Mercedes in 1938, all over again.

Last Thursday, I spent the whole day with Sepp Haider, who carried out most=
 of the development driving for the RS6. Having driven the RS6 and the RS4 =
round the Nordschliefe of the Nuerburgring, he states that the RS6 is a muc=
h better handling car at the ring. He also said NOTHING about any manual ge=
arbox for the RS6. Incidentally, the new training cars have lap timers, rea=
ction time meters, 'lane closed lights' and switches that disable either ES=
P or ABS or both. These cars are a lot of fun, perhaps some of you choosing=
 European delivery will also arrange for a proper Audi driving day in Europ=
e=2E

So we expect to see the last RS6 manufactured at Neckarsulm in December 200=
3=2E Order one now in Europe and you will be quoted a September 2003 delive=
ry - sounds like a case for a second production line - unless that happens,=
 I would not hold my breathe for a manual gearbox option.

I asked Sepp about the tyres for the RS6, he prefers the Pirelli Corsa, I d=
on't know if its available in the US.

HTH

R+C



From:"Frank Amoroso" <fjamoroso at webtv.net>Date:Wed, 24 Jul 2002 23:15:11 -0=
600 (MDT)To:"ccohen5" <ccohen5 at compuserve.com>CC:bob at audisport.com, "Audi S=
 Car List" <s-car-list at audifans.com>Subject:Re: [s-cars] RS 6 WITH 6 SPEED


Interesting, the 1 year wait time for a manual would make the carunavailabl=
e here in the States. Supposedly, after 12/31/03, the 4.2biturbo motor will=
 no longer cut the mustard as it pertains toemissions.Nevertheless, I am da=
mn interested in the option code for that manualgetriebe. For two reasons, =
not a sole within Audi (including the mainpowertrain engineer and the test =
drivers) mentioned a thing re: manualtranny, and 2) one of the car konfigur=
ators show an option code.Visions of a manual getriebe sedan for me and a t=
ip Avant for the wifedance in my head. 16 cylinders (Cizeta Moroder anyone)=
, four turbos, 900bhp, 36 pistons worth of calipers...Yeeaaaahhhh BABY! Sha=
galicious.Frank at s-cars.org

---------------------------------
Attachment: Forwarded Message

From:"Frank Amoroso" <fjamoroso at webtv.net>Date:Wed, 24 Jul 2002 23:20:42 -0=
600 (MDT)To:"Frank Amoroso" <fjamoroso at webtv.net>CC:"ccohen5" <ccohen5 at comp=
userve.com>, bob at audisport.com, "Audi S Car List" <s-car-list at audifans.com>=
Subject:Re: [s-cars] RS 6 WITH 6 SPEED


That would be None of the car konfigurators... not one of the car...Frank at s=
-cars.org



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