Just curious why people says the A6Q is underpower while no one complain about the 528i. They have almost identical power and torque and weight.

that's because the 5 series also has the infamous 540i 6 speed - the A6 will be mated with a 8 cylinder engine later this year, adn also with the 4.2 L previously only found on the A8

Even in automatic form, the 528i is about a second quicker to 60 mph than an A6. I don't have a good explanation for it, but the A6Q probably does weigh more than a 528i. Also, the Double VANOS engine gives the 528i (323i and 328i also) a very flat torque curve, with about 90% of the peak torque available on tap from just above idle up to 3000 rpm (this is according to latest Road & Track). The Audi 30-valve engine probably doesn't have as much torque below 3000 rpm. The manual transmission A6 2.8Q should be much quicker, judging by the difference between manual and Tiptronic versions of A4 2.8Q.

I haven't seen the torque curve but A6 should produce the max torque at a lower rpm than the 528i. Anyway...

Not to mention the appearance of a 2.7 litre bi-turbo matched to a 6 speed for the A6 within a year.<p>Stan '97 1.8Tqms