Jay Quinn

Hi, I know we all may not know what the engine will be for the 2001 TTS, but I'd like to know this: Will it have more than 4 cyl? ANd will it have more than 1 turbo unit? Thx, Q.

vertigo

As you yourself noted, we are all in speculation mode at this point--I doubt that
the decision has even been made (though likely a few competing design options
are being evaluated). Here are my own thoughts on this:

4 cylinders--very unlikely. The 1.8T motor can be tuned for 300bhp (the target I
beleive for the TTS), but I don't think that audi will market a 300hp 4 cylinder
engine for two reasons: (1) Reliability, and (2) Customers want more than 4 cylinders!
Before everyone jumps on my back in regards to point #1, I am not stating that I
beleive turbos are unreliable (my parents Volvo 740 turbo has 250,000 miles on
it and no sign of turbo burnout whatsoever), but most manufacturers want to
overdesign the reliability of their systems which is why all of Audi's 4 cylinders
can safely put out more power than they are marketed at. Thus while 300hp can
be had, I think audi would prefer to get it out of a larger displacement. Secondly,
and more importantly, I don't see a 300hp 4-pot being a good marketing move.
Most people view 4-pots as "low end," and while enthusiasts on this forum see
past this I don't think most of them would argue that I'm wrong here on the
general american market--where there is no replacement for displacement.

As for the 2.7T, I don't think it will fit in the TTS. Piech has a thing for 5 cylinder
engines, but press rumours point to an inline-five different from the VR5. Audi
has previously pulled out generous hp from I-5s, so my guess is that format
with a turbo will be the ultimate choice. Possibly two turbos, but again for
space considerations I'd argue that there will be one mated to an I-5 with
some sort of rediculous valve technology. Volvo currently gets a solid 250hp
out of a 2.3 liter turbo five, and tuners are able to up it to 280hp with minimal
mods. Given that the Volvo engine was marketed in the early-mid 90s, I
think 300hp is a reasonable target given the improvement in technology.

Whatever is, It should be one smokin car!

--Vertigo

Marius B

nt