Apples & Oranges

["Jouko Haapanen" <joukoh@vtoy.fi>]

All this discussion regarding the new A6's lack of performance versus the 5
series BMW makes me wonder why we compare apples to oranges, or as in this
case peaches to lemons...

The A6 2.8 quattro Tiptronic is NOT comparable to 528i with stick.  Take a
new A6 with manual and front-drive, and put that against the BMW.  OK, I
know it's not available in that form in the US at the moment, but this
point is being made to counter the allegations that the factory is not
interested in the performance sedan market.  The following figures are from
Auto Motor und Sport (8/97).

		A6 2.8		528i
0-80km/h	5.7		5.5
0-100km/h	7.8		7.8
0-120km/h	11.1		10.9
0-160km/h	19.0		19.7

60-100 (4th)	9.1		10.2
80-120 (5th)	11.5		13.4

top speed	236		236

The differences in performance are negligible, except in the fourth/fifth
gear passing tests.  The cars weighed in at 1537kg (Audi) and 1604kg (BMW),
Audi having a peak power rating of 193hp @ 6000rpm, BMW 193hp @ 5300rpm. 
Torque figures are 280Nm @ 3200rpm and 280Nm @ 3950rpm respectively.

These cars have equal performance.  Audi will equip the A6 with a version
of the new 2.7 biturbo detuned to approx. 230hp in 1998.  Maybe the Audi
Gods will let the US market enjoy that in a manual transmission setup.  Now
we just have to wait for the new S6, with V8 power (turbocharge that too
please...)  If (probably because) there is a more powerful, enthusiast-type
version or two in the works, introducing manual transmissions to the 2.8 in
the North-American market might not be a good move, as it would probably
not satisfy the power-hungry customer.

I'm sure that you guys in the US are not being forgotten, in fact I know
you are considered a very important market for Audi AG.  I only wish we
were special too... paying USD 8000-9000 extra for quattro is outrageous,
at least that's how I feel as a dealer, I wonder how the customers view it?

Jouko Haapanen
Pori, Finland