Conference terri::cars_uk

    
    I have recently read a test on it in one of the local car mags.
    Generally the comments were positive,  although they were complaining 
    about the suspension set up leaning more towards comfort than handling
    thereby generating too much body roll when cornering. The performance
    figures seemed to be pretty impressive: 8.3 secs to 100 km/h and top
    speed of 222 km/h (not that it has any relevance here in Australia with
    the government money collectors (police in other countries) out in
    force all the time)
    If you get a test drive let me know how it went as I'll be seriously
    considering this car when my current one (BMW 318i) is due fro
    replacement.
    
    
    Gabor

    
    5 valves per cylinder, a turbo-charger and 1.8 litres and _ONLY_ 150bhp
    and 200NM of torque? I guess the boost pressure must be _VERY_ low...
    
    Any figures for where (rpm) the max torque is produced?
    
    Mark

    
    According to the specs I read the boost is 1.56 bars and max. torque is
    210 Nm @ 1750 - 4600 rpm.
    
    The comments they made:
    
    "There's little lag, no turbo whistle and essentially seamless power
    delivery from as low as 1800 rpm - yu could truly drive this Audi and
    never be aware the engine was turbocharged." (Wheels magazine)
    
    Gabor

    
    Well, 1750 is an impressively low rpm to reach maximum torque, seems
    that they have, indeed, followed SAAB's lead.
    
    Does  anyone have comparable figures for a 'low-pressure' SAAB turbo?
    
    Mark

The new 1.8 engine is a superb piece of engineering, with bags of power and
torque. I don't see any production car using a 1.8 getting close to this mill
in terms of performance and flexibility.

All the motoring magazines are giving this engine top marks!

As for the rest of the car I think it is a great design, although I am somewhat 
concerned about Audi's move towards "softer"  handling across the range.

I bought my Quattro for it's brute power and driving pleasure. I hope they 
don't do what VW did with the new Golf.....softer suspension!

John

    ... and they also insist on low fuel consumption

RE: .4

Mark,
	I've got one of them - a SAAB 9000 CSE 2.3 "Ecopower". It
has a considerably lower boost pressure - 0.8 bar, I think, and gives
170 bhp. I think that the fully turboed 9000s give up to 225 bhp.

	The model is sold on its fuel economy and ecological qualities
(in town, itis alleged to emit lower pollution levels than it takes in).

	I'll have a look at the torque figures in the handbook when I
get back to Switzerland tonight.

Cheers

-Steve

    
>> The new 1.8 engine is a superb piece of engineering, with bags of power and
>> torque. I don't see any production car using a 1.8 getting close to this mill
>> in terms of performance and flexibility.
    
    To be fair, there's little else to compare it with. The only other 1.8
    turbo I can think of is Nissan's as fitted to the 200SX, which I'd
    suspect has more power, but probably a peakier torque curve (anyone
    know?). 150 Bhp is pretty paltry from a turbo 1.8 (especially considering 
    the reasonable amount of boost, compared to the SAAB, say). After all, 
    Renault (and probably others, lord knows what Honda would get!) can get 
    nigh on 140 Bhp out of a 4 valve per cylinder, non-turbo 1.8 but it _is_ 
    an interesting use of Turbo technology and a welcome antidote to all those 
    peaky 16 valve two litre thingys! 
    
    ...but, why would anyone want a turbo-engined car, which didn't have 
    turbo-whistle! :^)
    
    Mark                                            

    I think the Turbo is (in this case) more for torque than power which,
    considering the poeple and kind of driving the Audi is destined for, I
    reckon will be more useful. But I agree, for sporty applications, this
    engine isn't what it could be.... no doubt some 'chip' manufacturers
    will soon bring out a 230bhp chip for it :-))))
    
    Cheers,
    Dan

THe 9000 Ecopower's torque rating is 260Nm at 3200 rpm.

No Turbo Whistle? No Turbo Lag? Only 150BHP?

Are you sure it has a Turbo?

;*)

    Maybe it's a diesel, and they're just not telling anyone :-]

    The Audi A4 has won the "Car of the Year" award.

    
    Any reason why?
    
    Is the A4 aluminum like the A8 or is the A just a family nomenclature?
    
    Mark
    
    PS Not that A4 isn't a nice little car.

    Does anyone have an A4 without the computer? The book says I should see
    outside temperature on the console display but mine doesn't. Before I
    take it to the garage I'd like to be sure that this is the case.
    Thanks.
    Howard