A4 1.8T from quattro GmbH

[Tom Nas <tnas@euronet.nl>]

The discussion on reliability of the tuned 1.8T engine is finished- quattro
GmbH introduces the sports packages for the A4. This tuning package brings
power from 150 to 180hp, torque from 210 to 235Nm. Top speed thus becomes
233 km/h for the sedan and 229 for the Avant. This is offered only in
conjunction with quattro, and costs DM2900. (Considered affordable by Gute
Fahrt, but I'm not too sure...)

The second package lowers the suspension by 30cm (must be a typo- not even
a Land Rover can be lowered by this much. 30mm, surely!), special ten-spoke
alloys and 225/45R17 tyres are provided. Firmer struts and other suspension
mods make the A4 sportier to drive. The power steering has been modified to
give a more direct response, resulting in better feel- especially in the
straight-ahead position (phew, I thought they'd never notice!) Including a
neat twin-pipe silencer, this comes to a grand total of DM3300.

Have another DM4500 to spend? The interior package, with onyx and black
upholstery in Nappa leather and Jacquard- including the door panels, a
cool-looking matt polished alloy dash strip which continues over the doors,
three-spoke Audi Sport steering wheel (very nice!) light gray gauge faces,
and the addition of an oil temp gauge and voltmeter, FIS and
Auto-Check-Control.

Pricey, but nice. I wonder how much of this special equipment eventually
makes it to mass-produced cars. The more direct-acting power steering
sounds great, and it should be an option on all A4s IMO. The car pictured
(silver A4) looks great. But a premium of DM11400 (a slight discount on all
three packages together, as certain parts are to be found in more packages)
must be a bit of a stretch for most buyers, I guess. However, if I had the
money and wanted the ultimate refined A4, this would be very nice indeed...

Tom

 _______________________________________________________________________
 Tom Nas                                          Zeist, The Netherlands
 tnas@euronet.nl
 1988 Audi 80 1.8S, mostly Tizianrot metallic, 215,000km

    They all laughed at Albert Einstein. They all laughed at Columbus.
          Unfortunately, they also all laughed at Bozo the Clown.
                                      -- William H. Jefferys