[urq] Re: Audi's Future-5 L future rant

[Ado Sigal]

Hi all

Well, never seen so many posts regarding Audi 
future, and you all have a point, but regarding our 
beloved 5 cyl motor, now considered one of the most 
successful Audi ever made, and one that made Audi, 
nothing was mentioned.
The other week, I visited Geneva Motor Show, where 
to my astonishment, found that Audi completely 
stopped using 5 cyl motor thought entire range, but 
included 6.o litre / 12 cyl / 450 HP - A8q model. 
There is 4, 6, 8 and 12 cyl configuration, but 5 is 
out for good it seems.
I somewhat naively expected them to further refine 5 
L motor to induce it into something that would 
reassemble never surpassed Urq, but found exactly 
opposite, no more flagship motor news.
Five L configuration has being continued by many who 
learned from Audi experience, yet dropped by Audi??
So 5 L still lives with Volvo, Alfa, Fiat, Lancia, 
Chrysler, Land Rover, and guess who, Volkswagen.
All the motors are very nice, mainly DITD setup. 
Alfa produced 1.9 JTD with whole 150 lovely diesel 
horses in it. Other motors produce 170-175 HP from 
mainly 2.4-2.5 litres. Austrian Chrysler plugged in 
a 2.7 TD motor into Jeep Grand Cher. with 
unremarkable 163 HP, while on the bottom of the pile 
with 5 cyl motor that needs no mentioning, belongs 
to Land Rover.
Volvo need a special mention, because they are doing 
diesel and petrol versions of 5 cyl motor. One 
closely reassembles our 20V, where 2.0 litre turbo 
motor is producing lovely 220 horses, mated to V 50 
TS, while the other is barking out whole 300 horses, 
from 2.5 litre motor that lives in V 70 R AWD, which 
doesn't look bad at all, from any angle.
Now a total surprise that I found on VW stand was 
the most sophisticated 5 cyl one could ever wish 
for. All alloy, double cam, direct injection, turbo 
D motor, with hydro mechanical VVT, and finally, the 
gear camshaft actuation, producing very conservative 
174 HP @ 3500 revs., mated to 6 speed box and of 
course AWD and adjustable air suspension, that lives 
in Touareg body. Other than Touareg, this motor is 
only used in Multivan Highline thing, and no other 
bodies at all.
Don't know what the others think, but drop the most 
sophisticated motor like this in favour of VW whole 
two model range, is very stupid and its going to 
reflect badly on Audi in the long run.
For god sake, just another hole in the head, and one 
could have direct injection petrol motor with very 
little other changes, easily produce 250 HP and more 
in uncharged version, let apart super or turbo 
charging this jewel, but that's me dreaming. Mind 
you, it would be interesting to see a really 
sophisticated first diesel sports car with AWD and 
air suspension and all. No more bend valves, or need 
to change belts and chains at all, ever. Engine 
always as sharp, and with something like 200 or 
thereabout horses @ 3500 revs and 450 Nm @ 2000 
revs, could get one to many places very fast indeed.
One thing I am sure though, my old Urq means to me 
much more than before visiting this motor show, and 
learning of Audi's grave mistake. I know now, that 
Urq and I are going to be close friends for long 
time to come, after which an RS2 might even become a 
collectors item.
What you think boys and girls, regarding loss of 
Famous Five.

Regards,

Ado