Doesn't Audi's new shortened 4.2 make the W8 kind of pointless?
07-15-2002, 09:44 AM
#1
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Doesn't Audi's new shortened 4.2 make the W8 kind of pointless?
The new shortened 4.2 to debut in the allroad and next-gen S4 is only about 18" long. How long is a W8? If they're about the same now, what's the point of the W8? (Aside from brand differentiation) Given the difficulty of working on the W8 engine, and all of its complexities, plus it's rather gutless mid-range torque, why would I want a W8 when I could have a more potent, smoother and simpler V8 instead?
07-15-2002, 09:50 AM
#2
even though Audi and VW are under the same larger umbrella, they are still 2 companies...
...my guess is it's probably a political thing. VW had the go-ahead to make the W8 (which I'm guessing is just a paired down engineering job from the W16 that was already produced. Or do I have the order wrong?).
As for Audi, the need was to replace the 2.7biturbo engine with a V8 that had equal or greater power, and could fit in the "B" chassis (also assuming that any engine that can fit in the "B" chassis would also work in the A6/Allroad series chassis, and even the A8 chassis if need be).
But I agree with you. I'll even go further and say I'd rather have a 1.8t than a W8 if I was buying a Passat.
As for Audi, the need was to replace the 2.7biturbo engine with a V8 that had equal or greater power, and could fit in the "B" chassis (also assuming that any engine that can fit in the "B" chassis would also work in the A6/Allroad series chassis, and even the A8 chassis if need be).
But I agree with you. I'll even go further and say I'd rather have a 1.8t than a W8 if I was buying a Passat.
07-15-2002, 09:54 AM
#3
W8 is about 16.5 inches by my calculations
<A HREF="http://autozine.kyul.net/html/VW3.htm">W8 info</A>. I'm not sure about weight and cost on the two, but the W8 is already out and tested while the V8 is still not out AFIK ( they did something with the timing belt placement to fit it in the A4).
07-15-2002, 09:57 AM
#5
Oh, and they probably don't want to step on any toes either, why buy an S4 when I can get a Passat
for 10g less (assumption on new S4 pricing) with better accomodations (remember, the passat had memory seats along with a bunch of other niceties that the S4 didn't even have as options).
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07-15-2002, 12:17 PM
#8
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In all fairness to the W8 - VW had to
detune it originally so it wouldn't be 3.7L and produce 300hp - since Audi's BASE 4.2L was putting out 310hp and Audi was kinda upset. They changed the engine specs to 4.0L (again not 4.2L like Audi) so as to improve low end torque and still have the conservative 275hp.
However, that being said - the W8 IS a complex engine that will have a very short "life" as VW has opted to go with the shortened 4.2L in their lineup.
However, that being said - the W8 IS a complex engine that will have a very short "life" as VW has opted to go with the shortened 4.2L in their lineup.
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