Re: Audi stuff in "Automobile"

[John Greenstreet <jgreenst@motown.ge.com>]

> From quattro-owner@swiss.ans.net Wed Jan 25 15:13:08 1995
> From: Andrew Shea <anshea@hawk.anselm.edu>
> Subject: Re: Audi stuff in "Automobile"
> To: quattro@swiss.ans.net
> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 1995 14:17:55 -0500 (EST)
> Reply-To: quattro@swiss.ans.net
> 
>  I believe the US spec A4 1.8/20v turbo will produce 150hp.  Can anyone
> else confirm this?
> 
> 
That's exactly the output that was listed in Auto, Motor, und Sport in
their recent comparison test between the 1.8/I4 turbo and the 2.6/V6,
and Audi's DIN HP ratings generally carry over to this country
unchanged.  Note that most Japanese cars claim 10-20% less HP
in Germany compared to what they claim here.

The on-the-road performance of these two engines was almost identical,
but the magazine preferred the ultra-smooth and quiet V6 to the
somewhat less refined--if only by comparison--inline four.  Given that
many Americans and virtually every car magazine thought that even the
2.8 V6 was barely adequate, I'm not sure what Audi is trying to 
accomplish by bringing over a less-powerful engine.

The only advantage that ams would allow the five-valver was that
it should appeal to people interested in having the maximum of
valves per cylinder.  In terms of performance and fuel consumption,
it and the 2.6 V6 were within measurement error.

It continually amazes me that Americans are obsessed with HP and
Germans with torque, while it really should be the other way around: In
general, HP relates to top speed and torque relates to acceleration.
Moving the torque peak of an engine to a lower RPM makes it quicker,
more economical and quieter, but decreases the HP rating, as
calculating HP involves multiplying torque by RPM.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
John Greenstreet, Senior Engineer           (jgreenst@motown.ge.com)
Martin Marietta Government Electronic Systems    Moorestown NJ 08057
WPI Class of '75, Temple Class of '94

My new car history:
  1975    1978    1982       1986        1989      1992      1995
   VW ->  Audi -> Audi  -> Mercedes -> Mercedes -> Audi -> Mercedes
Scirocco Fox GTI  4000S    190E 2.3    190E 2.6    100CS     S320

POSSLQ's* new car history:
         1978       1981       1985      1988        1990     1993
       Triumph ->  Toyota ->  Toyota  ->  VW    ->   Audi  -> Audi
       Spitfire    Tercel     Corolla   Jetta GL      80      90S

*POSSLQ = Person of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters
Note: All Audis and Mercedes above were sold to friends or family.
--------------------------------------------------------------------