Relative power from engines

[Vikram Mittal <quattro@vulcan.gep.ge.com>]

On Thu, 10 Aug 1995, Bob D'Amato wrote:
> Date: Thu, 10 Aug 1995 09:09:51 -0400 (EDT)
> From: Bob D'Amato <Bob.Damato@snetlink.com>
> To: Roadside Attraction <honge@creighton.edu>
> Cc: Audi Newsgroup <quattro@coimbra.ans.net>
> Subject: Re: a4
> 
> On Thu, 10 Aug 1995, Roadside Attraction wrote:
> 
> > I have several articles on A4 and I must say most of them are favourable. 
> > The 1.8Turbo has around 8.3 0-60 with 36mpg (figure by Car magazine) 
> > doesn't sound crappy. The A4's handling and suspension were said to be 
> > "above average in that class."

That's what surprises me. European Car and others made such a big deal about
the 1.8 engine with the 5 valves. It's also turbocharged. What surprises	
me is that despite the 5 valves (making this one of the most advanced 
engines) AND a turbo it only develops 150 hp and I don't remember the 
torque number, but that was also quite unimpressive.

Maybe I'm missing something here. What I did find impressive (no flames
please) is that in 1989, BMW's normally aspirated 2.5 liter (525i) engine was
developing 189hp while Audi's 2.3 had only 130hp. Even today, their 2.8l
engine only gets 172hp and it's 1995 !!

I like my Audi, but why do they develop such poor power ?

Regards,
Vikram.