Re: Audi 90

[adams@churchill.columbiasc.ncr.com]

> 
> 
> On Tue, 25 Oct 1994 cpalmer@dingo.webo.dg.com wrote:
> > Although the 20V is not strong at the low end it does rev out strongly.
> > I would definitely give the nod to the V6 for 0-30 times, but 0-60 may
> > be more of a race. Recalling some numbers from Audi promotional
> > glossies (these numbers may be Audily-optimistic, but the cheat factor
> > shoudl be about the same for both sets), all for 5-speeds:
> 
> based on my driving experiences i think that the factory numbers for the
> 20 valve engine are quite overly optimistic while those for the v6 feel
> more realistic.  i'd say that under real world driving conditions, the v6
> will be quicker simply because its performance is easier to extract. 
> 
> the quattro drivetrain does have extra inertia that low end torque
> is useful and important in overcoming.. the 5 cylinder cars all
> tend to have ridiculously short 1st gears for this reason.
> 
> in any case these cars are not dragsters and buying them for traffic
> light burnouts is really missing the point.  :)

Eliot is on the mark here.  I drive my wife's 1993 90CS on Sunday to 
church and on a rare drive around town with the family.  Being used to
my ol' BMW, my initial impression is that the 90 is too soft.  The 
servotronic gives little feedback, and with the wife in the passenger seat 
I can't test out the corners and have to sneak the "sport" mode on the 
automatic transmission.  I leave the car with a luxo/cruiser sensation.

However, I have had the 90 for a couple of days racking up a few
hundred miles, and my perspective changes. I realize that this V-6 
is really wonderful, and comes alive in the 90 (vs. the 100).  It
lacks the exhaust growl of some noted 6-es but offers a silky smooth
motor.  The steering response is dull but the handling is above par
to other sedans in this range.  It seems as though the 90 has a split
personality.  Perhaps the new 90 Sport is trying to split it further.

BTW, I do have some pre-1993 90/80 experience and this car is a big
change.

regards,

Daniel Adams