re: Quattro question from 5kcst owner

[Steve Valin <sjv@netapp.com>]

Max <mpalmars@axxsys.com> asks:

>> This may sound like a novice question, but I have never owned a quattro
>> (I do have 2 5kcst's), are all quattros stick shift.  I have never seen
>> one that is automatic.  If this is the case, does anyone know why?  I
>> have driven quattros and I didn't realy like the stick in them that
>> much.

All 5K, pre 92 100's and 200 Q's are manual.  The first auto Q was the
V8, followed by the '92 and newer 100/A6.  Audi came up with the quattro
drivetrain because they used their own manual and were able to modify
it.  The tranny output shaft is hollow and goes to the rear (instead of
the front for the FWD cars) to connect to the central diff.  From there,
it goes back thru the hollow shaft and up to the front diff.  Very
clever!.  

It's harder to do this with automatics.  I'm not sure what the new A4/A6
uses, but the V8Q's and 92-97 100/A6's use a driveshaft that runs up
along side the transmission.  This way Audi can use an off the shelf
automatic without modifying it very much.  I believe the new 5 speed
automatics are Audi designed, so they may use the shaft within a shaft
trick.  Does anyone know?

-steve

--
Steve Valin		sjv@netapp.com         408.367.3566