Hmmmmmm,

The 1.8t is coming to the Golf and Jetta line-up. Yeah, it's the cheapo strut suspension so handling won't be all that.

VW is also testing a VR8 Jetta w/ 4Motion AWD from the TT ( M3 killer ). 350hp and a 6 speed.

So what does Audi have up it's sleeve ? I'm going to ask as many questions as possible during the upcoming "performance innitiative" training ( for Audi Brand Specialist salespeople ).

April

Gordon Martin
98.5 2.8QMS (Santorin Blue)

Maybe after giving all of Audi's technology to VW and making enhancements, VW will become the luxury brand and Audi will have the entry level cars ...

Dan
99.5 2.8QSTip -- but hoping to step up to a Golf
someday. :)

Last I heard, VW is not planning the 1.8T to go into the Golf.... just the Jetta and Beetle so far. BUT I think this is coming:

Golf standard will be the 1.8 5 valve engine (125hp)
Golf GLS wil be the 1.8T (150hp)
(GTI will have the GLS as 1.8T, and V6 190hp for GLX)

Jetta GLS will be the VR5 (in Europe now) 150hp I believe
Jetta GLX will be the 190hp V6 5-Valve.


Passat will be either have the V6 standard or be eliminated.

And our beetle will have the 5 Valve 1.8 (125hp) standard
and optional 1.8T
The V8 will not come in as a Jetta... it will be a new name...

====

Audi, will on the other hand:

A4 - 3.0 V6 w/ about 210hp
A4 - VR5 w/ Turbo maybe! at about 180-190hp.


Argue with me all you want... I am just speculating! The VR5 seems like a very very nice engine, I'd like to see more off. I think Audi needs to increase hp for the V6, and VW needs to restrict to below 200hp GTI and GLXs, and about 125-150hp options for their basic line up.

Dimitri

===
99.5 1.8TQMS Apr

This may be so. People at VW are very cagey. The trainer only recently confirmed the 1.8 showing up in the VW a4 ( not the Audi model ) platform here in N.A. There are so many possible combinations.

Seat in Spain has a 4 valve head for the VR6 that puts out in excess of 220hp. Hmmmmmm.

I've heard rumors about the turbo 5 cyl for Audi. Also heard about a CVT, although high hp does not mix well with this fragile system. Better emmissions than a regular auto. The most cost effective route would be to license the Ferrari auto / manual. You would need to build only one tranny for both auto and manual shifters. Add the hydralic pump ( to operate the clutch ) and software for the auto shifters. Alfa Romeo does this and Renault has stepped up as well. Who does Renault own ? Nissan.

If the Haldex from the TT can be made to handle higher loads, we could see transverse engine placement in all Audis. Then we would see more platform sharing with the VW line.

It feels a little like sacrilage to me though.

April