Audi technology

Audi produces 100% galvanized vehicles to preventexcept for the USA), giving this model a choice of 4, 5
corrosion. Along with other precautionary measures,and 6 cylinder engines, in sedan, coupe and cabriolet
the thus achieved full-body zinc coating has proved tobody styles.
be very effective in preventing rust and corrosionThe 5 cylinder was soon dropped as a major engine
perforation. The body's resulting durability evenchoice; however, a turbocharged 230hp (169kW)
surpassed Audi's own expectations, causing theversion remained. The engine, initially fitted to the 200
manufacturer to extend its original 10-year warrantyquattro 20V of 1991, was a derivative of the engine
against corrosion perforation to currently 12 years. Anfitted to the Sport Quattro. It was fitted to the Audi
all-aluminium car was brought forward by Audi, and inCoupe and named the S2 and also to the Audi 100
1994 the Audi A8 was launched, which introducedbody, and named the S4. These two models were the
aluminum space frame technology. Audi introduced abeginning of the mass-produced S series of
new series of vehicles in the mid-nineties and continuesperformance cars.
to pursue leading-edge technology and highThe Audi A8 replaced the V8 in 1994, with a
performance.revolutionary Aluminium Space Frame (ASF) to save
The all-aluminum concept was extended to theweight. The weight reduction was offset by the
company's new sub-compact, the Audi A2 which wasquattro all-wheel drive system. It meant the car had
launched in 2001, although this model was withdrawnsimilar performance to its rivals, but far superior
from production late in 2005 as the costs of producinghandling.
an all-aluminium small car proved too high for manyThe next major model change was in 1995 when the
buyers looking for a small semi-luxurious car. TheAudi A4 replaced the Audi 80. The new nomenclature
aluminium body has proved better suited to largerscheme was applied to the Audi 100 to become the
executive models such as the large A8 saloon.Audi A6 (with a minor facelift). This also meant the S4
In all its post Volkswagen-era models, Audi has firmlybecame the S6 and a new S4 was introduced in the
refused to adopt the traditional rear wheel drive layoutA4 body. The S2 was discontinued. The Audi Cabriolet
favoured by its two arch rivals Mercedes-Benz andcontinued on (based on the Audi 80 platform) until 1999,
BMW, favouring either front wheel drive or all wheelgaining the engine upgrades along the way. A new A3
drive. To achieve this, Audi has usually engineered itshatchback model (sharing the Volkswagen Golf Mk.4's
cars with a longitudinally mounted engine mounted in anplatform) was introduced to the range in 1996, and the
"overhung" position over the front wheels - in front ofradical TT coupe and roadster were debuted in 1998
the axle line. While this allows for equal lengthbased on the same underpinnings. Another interesting
driveshafts (therefore combatting torque steer), andmodel introduced was the Mercedes-Benz A-Class
the easy adoption of all-wheel drive, it goes against thecompetitor, the Audi A2. The model sold relatively well
ideal 50/50 weight distribution. For this reason, most stillin Europe, however, the A2 was discontinued in 2005
believed that BMW still have the edge over Audi inand Audi decided not to develop an immediate
terms of dynamic prowess, although this will bereplacement.
addressed with the forthcoming A5 coupe in 2007,The engines available throughout the range were now
which will feature the engine mounted behind the fronta 1.4L, 1.6L and 1.8L 4 cylinder, 1.8L 4-cylinder turbo, 2.6L
wheels.and 2.8L V6, 2.2L turbo-charged 5 cylinder and the
In the 1970s, two vehicle manufacturers Audi and4.2L V8. The V6s were replaced by new 2.4L and
Subaru designed their own all wheel drive systems in2.8L 30V V6s in 1998, with marked improvement in
passenger vehicles. In the 1980s, all-wheel drivepower, torque and smoothness. Further engines were
systems in cars became a fad, and other Germanadded along the way, including a 3.7L V8 and 6.0L
manufacturers like Porsche, BMW andW12 for the A8.At the turn of the century, Audi
Mercedes-Benz offered all-wheel drive systems inintroduced the direct-shift gearbox, or DSG, a manual
their cars to compete in the marketplace, along withtransmission drivable like an automatic transmission.
GM, Ford, Toyota and others. Unfortunately, theThe system includes dual electrohydraulically controlled
all-wheel drive system in the Mercedes-Benz vehiclesclutches instead of a torque converter. This is
were riddled with problems right from the design sheet.implemented in some Volkswagen Golf, Audi A3 and
The system also was not popular in Porsche vehiclesTT models. The engine range was continually
because owners wanted the traditional performanceupgraded, with a 2.7L twin turbo V6 being offered in
of the rear wheel drive they got used to in olderthe Audi S4, A6 and allroad, while the 2.8L V6 was
Porsches. Although Porsche and Mercedes-Benzreplaced by a 3.0L unit.
offer all-wheel-drive systems in some cars and trucksIn 2001, Audi released a high performance version of
today, neither manufacturer is as well-known forthe A8, dubbed S8. It featured a 360-horsepower 4.2L
all-wheel-drive technology as is Audi. Today, after overV8 with 317 torque.
25 years of class-leading technology and engineering,New models of the A3, A4, A6 and A8 have been
the name quattro is an identifiable symbol andintroduced, with the aging 1.8 litre engine now having
trademark that shows would-be competitors the levelbeen replaced by new FSI (Fuel Stratified Injection)
of quality they have to achieve in order to attempt toengines. Nearly every petrol model in the range now
compete with Audi. Unfortunately, Audi have recentlyincorporates this fuel-saving technology, including the
applied the quattro badge to models such as the A3following:
and TT which do not actually use the quattro1.6 litre 4 cylinder 115bhp, 2.0 litre 4 cylinder 150bhp
four-wheel drive system, but VW's Synchro modified(Slowly being phased out in order to make way for
front wheel drive systems.TSI engines - see section below), 2.0 litre 4 cylinder
In the 1980s, Audi was the champion of the inline 5200bhp, 2.0 litre 4 cylinder 220bhp, 3.2 litre V6
cylinder, 2.1/2.2 L engine as a longer lasting alternative250-260bhp, 4.2 litre V8 350bhp, 4.2 litre V8 414bhp, &
to more traditional 6 cylinder engines. This engine was5.2 litre V10 450bhp.
used not only in production cars but also in their raceOther engines on sale and featuring in products of the
cars. The 2.1L inline 5 cylinder engine was used as aAudi brand include:
base for the rally cars in the 1980s, providing well over1.6 litre 4 cylinder 102bhp, 1.9 litre TDi 105bhp, 2.0 litre TDi
400 horsepower (298kW) after modification. Before140bhp, 2.0 litre TDi 170bhp, 2.7 litre TDi 180bhp, 3.0 litre
1990, there were engines produced with aTDi 233bhp, & 4.2 litre TDi 326bhp. All TDi models are
displacement between 2.0L and 2.3L. This range ofdiesels.
engine capacity was a good combination of good fuelAs a premium member of the VW Group,
economy (which was on the mind of every motorist intechnologies are frequently first introduced to the
the 1980s) and, of course, a good amount of power.mass market in Audi vehicles before being 'trickled
Through the early 1990s, Audi began to move moredown' to more value oriented brands such as VW,
towards the position of being a real competitor in itsSEAT and Å koda. Recent examples of this include
target market against Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Thisa number of the FSI engines mentioned above, as well
began with the release of the Audi V8 in 1990. It wasas the quick-shifting DSG automatic gearbox option.
essentially a new engine fitted to the Audi 100/200, butTSI technology was introduced to the Volkswagen
with noticeable bodywork differences. Most obviousGolf early in 2006. These engines use, initially at least, a
was the new grille that was now incorporated in thecapacity of 1.4 litres combined with both a turbo- and
bonnet.super-charger to produce a high power output, with
By 1991, Audi had the 4 cylinder Audi 80, the 5 cylinderlower levels of harmful carbon dioxide emissions and
Audi 90 and Audi 100, the turbocharged Audi 200 andimproved fuel economy when compared with a
the Audi V8. There was also a coupe version of thenon-turbo or super-charged engine of a high capacity,
80/90 with both 4 and 5 cylinder engines.such as 2.0 litres. The 1.4 litre TSI engine currently on
Although the five cylinder engine was a successful andsale in VW's Golf produces outputs of 140 and 170bhp.
very robust powerplant, it was still a little too differentThese engines have proved popular amongst the
for the target market. With the introduction of anmotoring press in Britain and could soon be filtered into
all-new Audi 100 in 1992, Audi introduced a 2.8L V6the Audi range, with a possibility of featuring in the A3
engine. This engine was also fitted to a face-lifted Audiand A4 models, as well as maybe featuring in SEAT
80 (all 80 and 90 models were now badged 80and Skoda's model ranges sometime soon.