2002 facelifted A6 3.5 with 260 hp engine?
02-03-2001, 11:59 AM
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2002 facelifted A6 3.5 with 260 hp engine?
According to the latest issue of Automobile magazine, Audi will introduce a new 3.5 liter V6 engine producing 260 hp for the A6 line-up. They mention that this engine will also make its way into the A4 and perhaps even the A8 line. My question is this: Is this a replacement for the A6 2.7T? Surely it doesn't make sense to have 2 V6 engines with such close outputs (250 and 260 hp). I was assuming that the 3.0 V6 with 217 hp would be the new base engine in the A6 line-up, with the 2.7T perhaps getting a small power bump to 260 or 265 hp. The presence of a 260-hp normally aspirated V6 model would make the 4.2 V8 an even tougher sell for the dealers.
02-03-2001, 02:21 PM
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Don't fix it if it ain't broke.
The 2.8 is more reliable than Honda's recent six cylindar Accords and it is beautiful including the REAR end (especially that). What is this face lift? Will they tart it up like the chrome on the new Passat? Add a CVT 'transmission?' I know--
timing belts made of rubber bands, seats made out of ribbon candy, oh, I give up...
timing belts made of rubber bands, seats made out of ribbon candy, oh, I give up...
02-03-2001, 02:46 PM
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They can't afford not to make changes
With the short model life cycles these days, Audi can't afford not to make changes and improvements to the A6 after 4 years. The BMW 5-Series just got a dose of extra power with the 225-hp 3.0 engine. The A6 2.8 is sadly underpowered in comparison to the competition (E320, 530i, GS300, etc.). I think the cosmetic changes will make the front grille look just like the 4.2 model, which is a good thing for 2.8 and 2.7T owners, but there will be less differentiation for the 4.2 model. There will also be some interior updates.
02-03-2001, 07:47 PM
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I'm sure you're right.
But if the design, build quality, and exemplary reliablity of the 2.8 don't excite you --and you don't have a 2.7T (to which direction this board is weighted), be advised that there's a danger of Audi (Volkswagen) actually getting it wrong in the future. Something that was slightly underpowed by American standards (Europe has what? two motors for the A6 below this one?) can be 'decontented' cheapened. The exemplar of what I'm talking about is the Mercedes S.
There's a lot of global economic reality related to increasing units and lowering material cost. Audi (and AudiWorld) will say that 7% more plastic in the new A4 is for your benefit. Be that as it may-- it relates to cost cutting.
The Passat is supposed to be a more high end car because we stuck a bunch of chrome on it and 'riced out' the lines or, at least, tooks some unfortunate cues from Mercedes. Lots of Vortex readers will buy it because consumer culture tells us that a non 2001.5 Passsat is old, passe, a non- Wolfsburg Jetta is 'not cool' and these are the people who lament the fact that so many other people buy Volkswagens for the brand name instead of the driving experience.
The E320 is $10,000 higher than the 2.8 and RWD. Why should the 2.8 have its power. More to the point, the E320 is not as beautiful, as ergonomic, as stable, and not higher in build quality, why shouldn't that stop consumers from lining up to pay MSRP?
The next, the "new and improved," that will make Audi the real equal of Mercedes, of BMW,...what's up with Audi never quite thinking it is worthy of of every other equivalent car? You'd think those 5000's had run down people and killed them and that it was not the fault of American housewives (but we know better).
I'm probably spitting in the wind here-- but I think the 2.8 should stop apologizing for being underpowered and I think Audi should stop apologizing for not being BMW.
There's a lot of global economic reality related to increasing units and lowering material cost. Audi (and AudiWorld) will say that 7% more plastic in the new A4 is for your benefit. Be that as it may-- it relates to cost cutting.
The Passat is supposed to be a more high end car because we stuck a bunch of chrome on it and 'riced out' the lines or, at least, tooks some unfortunate cues from Mercedes. Lots of Vortex readers will buy it because consumer culture tells us that a non 2001.5 Passsat is old, passe, a non- Wolfsburg Jetta is 'not cool' and these are the people who lament the fact that so many other people buy Volkswagens for the brand name instead of the driving experience.
The E320 is $10,000 higher than the 2.8 and RWD. Why should the 2.8 have its power. More to the point, the E320 is not as beautiful, as ergonomic, as stable, and not higher in build quality, why shouldn't that stop consumers from lining up to pay MSRP?
The next, the "new and improved," that will make Audi the real equal of Mercedes, of BMW,...what's up with Audi never quite thinking it is worthy of of every other equivalent car? You'd think those 5000's had run down people and killed them and that it was not the fault of American housewives (but we know better).
I'm probably spitting in the wind here-- but I think the 2.8 should stop apologizing for being underpowered and I think Audi should stop apologizing for not being BMW.
02-04-2001, 12:30 PM
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Here's the exact quote from Automobile ....
"In the engine department, Audi will plug the gap between its 3.0-liter V6 and its 4.2-liter V8 with a 260-bhp, 3.5-lietr V6. The new six is expected to serve under the hoods of the A4, the A6, and possibly the A8. A twin-turbocharged, 450-bhp version of the 4.2-liter V8 is under development; reserved for the RS6, it may also find its way into the next S8. Later, Audi will pit a 385-bhp, 5.0 liter version of the engine against similar V8s from Mercedes Benz and BMW..."
"The last Audi newcomer of note is the face-lifted A6, out in June 2001. The BMW 5-Series fighter will receive a tidied-up interior, redesigned bumpers, and a split, chrome-rimmed, A4-style grille that will make thetwo models practically indisguishable from the front..."
I don't know where this leaves the 2.7T engine!
"The last Audi newcomer of note is the face-lifted A6, out in June 2001. The BMW 5-Series fighter will receive a tidied-up interior, redesigned bumpers, and a split, chrome-rimmed, A4-style grille that will make thetwo models practically indisguishable from the front..."
I don't know where this leaves the 2.7T engine!
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02-04-2001, 04:53 PM
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Is this referring to European or U.S. bound Audi's???
I'm skeptical about the introduction of 2 new engines in the A6, unless they are speaking a few years down the road. This engine would obviously conflict with the 2.7T. I just cannot see five engine choices in the A6 line-up for the U.S. (3.0, 3.5, 2.7T, 4.2, 4.2(S6)).
Is there any confirmation that the 3.0L V-6 will be in the '02 A6, I read somewhere that the A6 will keep the 2.8 until it's redesign ??2004.
Is there any confirmation that the 3.0L V-6 will be in the '02 A6, I read somewhere that the A6 will keep the 2.8 until it's redesign ??2004.
02-04-2001, 05:15 PM
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good question, as we don't share bumpers
I predict (as I did a year ago), that all A6's will get the 4.2 front bumper (with the flush squirter caps) and grille. I have no idea why Audi would mess with the rear bumper.
I wouldn't put too much stock in this report. Audi has never twin-turboed the 4.2 before. The new 4.2 is also probably too new to be turbocharged (usually Audi takes a year).
I wouldn't put too much stock in this report. Audi has never twin-turboed the 4.2 before. The new 4.2 is also probably too new to be turbocharged (usually Audi takes a year).
