Hans

There has been some speculation/rumour that the A4's will be coming out with the 170hp version of the 1.8T engine. And after a recent drive of a 2K 1.8T it seems like the engine is a bit more powerful.

Could it be that some 2K models are already coming out with the 170hp engine? Is there anyway to find out? How can one tell?

Monkeyboy

It is a published fact that the MY '01 A4 1.8T will have stock 170hp.
It is speculation that the current MY '00 models are already at 170hp. Some say that the difference in feel is due to the drive by wire technology in the MY '00 1.8Ts. There has been no confirmation that the MY '00 1.8Ts are in fact at 170 hp.

asp

I apologize for such a novice question, but is drive by wire and how is different than a '99 1.8T?

Monkeyboy

"Drive by wire" or "throttle by wire" is the term used to describe how the engine receives information from the accelerator pedal. Past vehicles used a physical cable to control acceleration...step on the pedal, the cable moves, causing the car to go faster. Drive by wire uses electronics (sensors)to perform the same function. So, acceleration is now electronically controlled. Most say that the car is faster, but in actuality, the the drive by wire technology gives the feeling of more responsive acceleration.