Comments on: Audi Announces New Engine for the U.S. http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/ The Truth About Cars is dedicated to providing candid, unbiased automobile reviews and the latest in auto industry news. Sun, 14 Mar 2010 04:33:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: yankinwaoz http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-260962 yankinwaoz Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:14:11 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/#comment-260962 The number of cylinders is not the only variable. Look at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Astron_engine" rel="nofollow">Mitsubishi Motors Astron motor</a> that they put into their Aussie sedans. It was a wopping 2.6L 4 cyl motors. Talk about huge cylinders. Volvo used to have similar large volume 4 bangers. The author is right... in the US at least 4 cylinder motors have a bad rap. Just like the US auto makers, the 4-Cyl continues to pay for the sins of its past. The number of cylinders is not the only variable. Look at the Mitsubishi Motors Astron motor that they put into their Aussie sedans. It was a wopping 2.6L 4 cyl motors. Talk about huge cylinders. Volvo used to have similar large volume 4 bangers.

The author is right… in the US at least 4 cylinder motors have a bad rap. Just like the US auto makers, the 4-Cyl continues to pay for the sins of its past.

]]> By: joeaverage http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-260312 joeaverage Tue, 25 Mar 2008 17:00:29 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/#comment-260312 Reminds me of story my buddy told me. He was in the 7th grade or so and they had a "now-it-all" kid in his class. One day my friend was talking about cars to someone with the "know-it-all" started bragging about how his Dad had a 4 cylinder V-6 engine in their car... Made my buddy's day... Reminds me of story my buddy told me. He was in the 7th grade or so and they had a “now-it-all” kid in his class. One day my friend was talking about cars to someone with the “know-it-all” started bragging about how his Dad had a 4 cylinder V-6 engine in their car…

Made my buddy’s day…

]]> By: mjposner http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-259682 mjposner Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:16:37 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/#comment-259682 As someone who lived with this engine for 19 months I can add that it is a powerful engine with great gas mileage. On a trip to New York from Florida I averaged 32 mpg with speeds mostly in the 75 to 80 range. Car was a six speed manual. With help from APR my HP and Torque were both over 250. Only reason I gave up on the car was the massive torque steer due to the front wheel drive. I would definitely go for this engine in a quattro or rear drive config. As someone who lived with this engine for 19 months I can add that it is a powerful engine with great gas mileage. On a trip to New York from Florida I averaged 32 mpg with speeds mostly in the 75 to 80 range. Car was a six speed manual. With help from APR my HP and Torque were both over 250. Only reason I gave up on the car was the massive torque steer due to the front wheel drive. I would definitely go for this engine in a quattro or rear drive config.

]]> By: SaturnV http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-259382 SaturnV Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:21:54 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/#comment-259382 @menno There are a actually a couple of V4 engines in production now - but in motorcycles. The Honda VFR has been a V4 for a while now, as has the ST1300 (and before that, the ST1100). Aprilia's also got a V4 in development, although who knows if we'll actually see it in the real world. To deviate a little, I had a VFR750 and in addition to being a V4, it had gear-driven cams which when wound up sounded like a seriously pissed off supercharger. I'm actually a fan of the V4 layout, but with two cylinder heads and associated bits, there's a significant cost delta over an I4. -S5 @menno
There are a actually a couple of V4 engines in production now – but in motorcycles. The Honda VFR has been a V4 for a while now, as has the ST1300 (and before that, the ST1100). Aprilia’s also got a V4 in development, although who knows if we’ll actually see it in the real world.
To deviate a little, I had a VFR750 and in addition to being a V4, it had gear-driven cams which when wound up sounded like a seriously pissed off supercharger. I’m actually a fan of the V4 layout, but with two cylinder heads and associated bits, there’s a significant cost delta over an I4.

-S5

]]> By: Mirko Reinhardt http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-259092 Mirko Reinhardt Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:16:10 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/#comment-259092 @cretinx "they have limited edition cars with the same engine making 250 hp" They have the S3, which is not a limited edition, making 265 hp. @cretinx
“they have limited edition cars with the same engine making 250 hp”

They have the S3, which is not a limited edition, making 265 hp.

]]> By: cretinx http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-259062 cretinx Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:14:23 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/#comment-259062 Audi could have pushed it further - they have limited edition cars with the same engine making 250 hp, not to mention chip tuners are making 250 hp/300 ft-lbs of torque with just ECU modifications. Audi could have pushed it further – they have limited edition cars with the same engine making 250 hp, not to mention chip tuners are making 250 hp/300 ft-lbs of torque with just ECU modifications.

]]> By: Mirko Reinhardt http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-258872 Mirko Reinhardt Tue, 25 Mar 2008 09:35:10 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/#comment-258872 @Joshvar "I like the new A4, but still no DSG?" There will be a 7-speed DSG in Audis with longitudinal engines and Quattro soon. See this post: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/03/20/audi-goes-7-new-s-tronic-gearchange-unveiled/ @Joshvar
“I like the new A4, but still no DSG?”

There will be a 7-speed DSG in Audis with longitudinal engines and Quattro soon.
See this post:
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/03/20/audi-goes-7-new-s-tronic-gearchange-unveiled/

]]> By: turbo http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-258682 turbo Tue, 25 Mar 2008 05:52:44 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/#comment-258682 Turbos have always mede sense to me. The frictional losses of a smaller motor with the power potential to compensate. Properly executed, they offer a better efficiency and power compromise. I still have my 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse in the garage. In its day, only exotically priced cars (and the 305 mustang V8) could keep up with, or out run it. Its MPG ranges from high 20's to mid 30's per gallon, overall average has been 30. This, and a car that still has plenty of zip, 1/4 mile times of in low 15's at 90mph were the usual road test results. Turbos have always mede sense to me. The frictional losses of a smaller motor with the power potential to compensate. Properly executed, they offer a better efficiency and power compromise.
I still have my 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse in the garage. In its day, only exotically priced cars (and the 305 mustang V8) could keep up with, or out run it. Its MPG ranges from high 20’s to mid 30’s per gallon, overall average has been 30. This, and a car that still has plenty of zip, 1/4 mile times of in low 15’s at 90mph were the usual road test results.

]]> By: DearS http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-258512 DearS Tue, 25 Mar 2008 03:19:42 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/#comment-258512 258lb/ft of torque, but is lower, meaning power will taper of a bit by 5200rpm. I wonder how the engine will be to wind up. Sounds like a bit challenging to surrender the fun of low rpm power dynamics as the revs climb. A test of patience for me, although perhaps better overall. 258lb/ft of torque, but is lower, meaning power will taper of a bit by 5200rpm. I wonder how the engine will be to wind up. Sounds like a bit challenging to surrender the fun of low rpm power dynamics as the revs climb. A test of patience for me, although perhaps better overall.

]]> By: Justin Berkowitz http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-258352 Justin Berkowitz Tue, 25 Mar 2008 01:40:25 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/#comment-258352 @ajla: The DSG as VW has it now is configured for transversely mounted engines only. That's why the only Audis that have it are the A3 and TT, which are both VW Golf based. The A4 has a longitudinal engine, so the DSG isn't engineered for that. I'm sure they are working on a longitudinal engine DSG setup, but not yet... @ajla:

The DSG as VW has it now is configured for transversely mounted engines only. That’s why the only Audis that have it are the A3 and TT, which are both VW Golf based. The A4 has a longitudinal engine, so the DSG isn’t engineered for that.

I’m sure they are working on a longitudinal engine DSG setup, but not yet…

]]> By: ajla http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-258192 ajla Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:19:50 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/#comment-258192 <em>I like the new A4, but still no DSG?</em> Yea, why does Audi hold back so much on putting the DSG into more vehicles? I like the new A4, but still no DSG?

Yea, why does Audi hold back so much on putting the DSG into more vehicles?

]]> By: Justin Berkowitz http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-258152 Justin Berkowitz Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:05:16 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/#comment-258152 Referring to the engine as a V4 was 100% a mocking joke. The idea is that many buyers of luxury cars are badly informed, and as a result they'd skip a 4-cylinder engine on principle (even if it gave great performance and torque). To demonstrate the arrogant misinformation on their part, I had the fictional car shopping banker erroneously refer to it as a V4. It's removed from the post to eliminate any confusion. Referring to the engine as a V4 was 100% a mocking joke. The idea is that many buyers of luxury cars are badly informed, and as a result they’d skip a 4-cylinder engine on principle (even if it gave great performance and torque). To demonstrate the arrogant misinformation on their part, I had the fictional car shopping banker erroneously refer to it as a V4.

It’s removed from the post to eliminate any confusion.

]]> By: menno http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-257922 menno Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:47:32 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/#comment-257922 The VW and Audi (for that matter, all except Subaru) engines are inline, not vee. The last V4 was a Ford Koln engine only seen in the states under the rounded hood of Saab 95's and 96's as well as the fiberglass bonnet of the Sonnett, last sold in the early 1970's. Lancia did some V4's in the 1960's and very early 1970's as well. Subaru has a boxer four (2 cylinders on each bank, one bank on either side of the crankshaft). This is the layout that the classic air cooled VW engines were (albeit, they were air cooled and all Subaru boxers are water cooled). Common mistake to say V4, 'coz so many people are used to thinking V8, V6. Until just last year, the old AMC inline six was built by Chrysler, though, and until 1954, Pontiac, Packard and Buick built inline eights. They were SMOOOOOOTH. Much smoother than V8's, especially with 9 (count 'em) main bearings, as some of the senior Packards had. They did make for a very long hood, and the V8 makes for a more compact package. Of course, that advantage was totally wasted immediately by Detroit by growing the cars to gargantuan sizes by 1958. The VW and Audi (for that matter, all except Subaru) engines are inline, not vee. The last V4 was a Ford Koln engine only seen in the states under the rounded hood of Saab 95’s and 96’s as well as the fiberglass bonnet of the Sonnett, last sold in the early 1970’s. Lancia did some V4’s in the 1960’s and very early 1970’s as well.

Subaru has a boxer four (2 cylinders on each bank, one bank on either side of the crankshaft). This is the layout that the classic air cooled VW engines were (albeit, they were air cooled and all Subaru boxers are water cooled).

Common mistake to say V4, ‘coz so many people are used to thinking V8, V6. Until just last year, the old AMC inline six was built by Chrysler, though, and until 1954, Pontiac, Packard and Buick built inline eights. They were SMOOOOOOTH.
Much smoother than V8’s, especially with 9 (count ‘em) main bearings, as some of the senior Packards had. They did make for a very long hood, and the V8 makes for a more compact package. Of course, that advantage was totally wasted immediately by Detroit by growing the cars to gargantuan sizes by 1958.

]]> By: alanp http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-257822 alanp Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:33:19 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/#comment-257822 Is the Audi 4 cylinder a "V" design? The last sentence would sorta imply it. And my brother is one of those who think you have to have 6 or more cylinders for an engine to be smooth or powerful. That my turbo boxer 4 has more power than his V6 doesn't seem to impress him. Is the Audi 4 cylinder a “V” design? The last sentence would sorta imply it. And my brother is one of those who think you have to have 6 or more cylinders for an engine to be smooth or powerful. That my turbo boxer 4 has more power than his V6 doesn’t seem to impress him.

]]> By: frontline http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-257812 frontline Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:32:11 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/#comment-257812 I with you on the 4 cyl. premium car Dean. I still miss the turbo 4cyl. SAAB 9000. It was a huge car that was good on gas and fast. I with you on the 4 cyl. premium car Dean. I still miss the turbo 4cyl. SAAB 9000. It was a huge car that was good on gas and fast.

]]> By: TexasAg03 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-257802 TexasAg03 Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:31:23 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/#comment-257802 <em>It's only too bad that American buying tastes prevent Audi from offering this engine in the A6 (you can just hear the banker whining "I'm not spending 55 grand on a car with a V-4.")</em> I am assuming the use of the term "V-4" is part of mocking the banker... It’s only too bad that American buying tastes prevent Audi from offering this engine in the A6 (you can just hear the banker whining “I’m not spending 55 grand on a car with a V-4.”)

I am assuming the use of the term “V-4″ is part of mocking the banker…

]]> By: bleach http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-257612 bleach Mon, 24 Mar 2008 21:48:18 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/#comment-257612 Trying to eliminate the chip tuning market for A4's? Trying to eliminate the chip tuning market for A4’s?

]]> By: Robert Schwartz http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-257522 Robert Schwartz Mon, 24 Mar 2008 21:31:18 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/#comment-257522 Is this motor related to their 1.4L 4 with a turbocharger for high revs and a super charger for low revs? Is this motor related to their 1.4L 4 with a turbocharger for high revs and a super charger for low revs?

]]> By: Joshvar http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-257372 Joshvar Mon, 24 Mar 2008 21:00:16 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/#comment-257372 I don't think it's a logical assumption that we'll see this anywhere BUT the A4. Keeping it out of the A3 and VW products will give it necessary differentiation that the previous generation was lacking spec-wise. I like the new A4, but still no DSG? I don’t think it’s a logical assumption that we’ll see this anywhere BUT the A4. Keeping it out of the A3 and VW products will give it necessary differentiation that the previous generation was lacking spec-wise.

I like the new A4, but still no DSG?

]]> By: keepaustinweird http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-257322 keepaustinweird Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:53:57 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/#comment-257322 Sounds like a Saab motor to me. Sounds like a Saab motor to me.

]]> By: dean http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-257252 dean Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:46:34 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/audi-announces-new-engine-for-the-us/#comment-257252 Your last sentence sums up the perception issue that companies selling into North America will face. I'm as bad as anyone. I keep telling myself that I'd like to buy a nicely equipped, premium compact car with a 4 cylinder engine that delivers excellent economy. But when it comes to dropping $25k on a MINI (base price in Canada for a Cooper unless you go for the $22k "Cooper Classic" which is a de-contented version of the same) you realize that talk is indeed cheap. Now, were the MINI selling for under $20k as it the US I might jump on it. Of course that same $20k buys more car there, too. Your last sentence sums up the perception issue that companies selling into North America will face.

I’m as bad as anyone. I keep telling myself that I’d like to buy a nicely equipped, premium compact car with a 4 cylinder engine that delivers excellent economy. But when it comes to dropping $25k on a MINI (base price in Canada for a Cooper unless you go for the $22k “Cooper Classic” which is a de-contented version of the same) you realize that talk is indeed cheap.

Now, were the MINI selling for under $20k as it the US I might jump on it. Of course that same $20k buys more car there, too.

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