Engine behind Axle
08-29-2005, 07:40 AM
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Engine behind Axle
I realise the V6 engine sits way too front of the axle. Audi engineers have placed a big space between the firewall and the engine. IMO, the V6 engine should be tucked right into the firewall so that the engine sits more behind the front axle.
This would at least give it a near 50-50 weight.
Anyone has some answers to this?
This would at least give it a near 50-50 weight.
Anyone has some answers to this?
08-29-2005, 08:09 AM
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One word: QUATTRO!
The current design of quattro (since it's all mechanical) requires Audi's to have long noses with long overhang and terrible weight distribution. The engine is hanging out in front of the front axle to make room for the gearbox/axles/Torsen. It's very nose heavy.
08-29-2005, 10:15 AM
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Placing the engine right against the firewall was probably not worth the compromise to safety...
50/50 weight distribution would be great but there is probably much to consider when moving the engine closer to the passenger compartment. They probably placed more importance on front-end crash results. In the end, it might be one of the reasons that the A6 is about the safest car you can get.
08-29-2005, 12:59 PM
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I doubt that... there are numerous sports sedans with engine behind front axle and are very safe...
and thus close to the firewall. BMW's are known for it, and Volvo's such as the S80 have a transverse-mounted engine so that it can be placed far back in the engine bay. Yes the A6 is an extremely safe car but whether crumple zones are in front or behind the engine doesn't matter much. And don't you think Audi would prefer to make the A6 sportier with better weight distribution? Sorry I'm rambling now...
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08-29-2005, 01:32 PM
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You hit the nail right on the head, SLLar42
Unfortunately, this will initially be on S and RS models only. A models will get the new generation of Quattro with the new transmission and engine completely behind the front axle when they receive a freshening or redesign depending on the model. And it will only be for the A4 and up.
08-29-2005, 02:45 PM
#9
The requirements of the Torsen system mean the engine must
be in front of the front axle or sit high above it.
In the case of BMW, they run front drive shafts through the enge sump and experience reduced suspension travel and lack of a real sport suspension option as a result.
Other car makers/models rely on chains, unequal length drive shafts, or transverse engine placement with offset power take-off for the rear wheels.
If there is one thing to be said for Torsen based QTR, is that it's extremely reliable and needs no maintainence even in cars with 300K miles or more, and can handle racetrack stress with no other upgrades to the system from a durability standpoint.
In the case of BMW, they run front drive shafts through the enge sump and experience reduced suspension travel and lack of a real sport suspension option as a result.
Other car makers/models rely on chains, unequal length drive shafts, or transverse engine placement with offset power take-off for the rear wheels.
If there is one thing to be said for Torsen based QTR, is that it's extremely reliable and needs no maintainence even in cars with 300K miles or more, and can handle racetrack stress with no other upgrades to the system from a durability standpoint.
08-29-2005, 04:06 PM
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FWD cars? I haven't seen any with 50/50 that are FWD.
The BMW gets a 50/50 but with the help of having rear wheel drive.
With the way engines drop down in a frontal collision, putting an engine right up against the firewall can't be the greatest idea. Distance and space is definitely a good option Audi seems to be more weighing safety heavily these days and it has been paying off in their crash tests for sometime. Not to say that there are no safe cars out there with minimal space between the engine and the firewall, but I highly doubt that they are double best picks like the A6.
Sadly, Audi thinks that they can compensate for a front heavy car with "exotic" suspension setups and settings in a similar way that Porsche compensates with a rear heavy vehicle.
With the way engines drop down in a frontal collision, putting an engine right up against the firewall can't be the greatest idea. Distance and space is definitely a good option Audi seems to be more weighing safety heavily these days and it has been paying off in their crash tests for sometime. Not to say that there are no safe cars out there with minimal space between the engine and the firewall, but I highly doubt that they are double best picks like the A6.
Sadly, Audi thinks that they can compensate for a front heavy car with "exotic" suspension setups and settings in a similar way that Porsche compensates with a rear heavy vehicle.