A4 1.8T testdrive

[Don Pavlik <vwnut@neosoft.com>]

Got to drive a A4 1.8T with auto trans last night (Wed).  My impressions:

It is certainly a 4 cyl engine.  Idle is smooth and quiet but when you tach
it up there is no doubt that 4 holes live under the hood.  Engine noise is
as loud as my Golf GTI VR6 but of a different kind (more rough sounding)
although not offensive.  No hint of turbo hissss or whisssstle.  No where
near as quiet as the 2.8L... not even close. In a 2.8L car I could barely
hear the engine at 5000 rpm, with the 1.8T you hear it 4000 and the engine
noise builds as you approach redline.  Still, not offensive but not V6 silky
quite if it concerns you.  Passengers would have no trouble telling when
you're leaning on the go-fast pedal.

Throttle response is very good.  No noticable turbo lag from a stop and it
pushes you into the seat nicely after 1800-2000... feels faster than the 2.8
despite almost identical times.  I'm impressed how well it did considering
the auto transmission and only 8.3 miles on the clock.  Of course, this car
had the leatherette seats and "normal" suspension with 15" wheels.  Handled
very well, nice brakes.  I need to put my butt in a car with the sport
package to try out the seats and the revised suspension.  Not too shabby.  I
like.  I'm gonna ponder it for a few days then go back and drive it again to
see if my impressions of the engine change.  Last time I drove an A4 2.8L I
hopped out of it and into my GTI... my first thought was that the A4 2.8 was
too slow.  Not so with the 1.8T.


-----------------
vwnut@neosoft.com (Don Pavlik)
http://www.neosoft.com/~vwnut (The VW Zone)
'95 Golf GTI VR6 
On a quest for a Quattro...