So, are the C5 RS6 and B7 RS4 AWD systems basically "Quattro V"?
 

I keep hearing that they are quite different than our Quattro IV system.

It looks like in the case of the B7 RS4 they are going to a Type C Torsen...
 

...which has a locking type feature. Basically as far as I understand it, the Type C Torsen allows for a static torque split to be set, where as our Torsen's (Type A I believe) you cannot specify a torque split, it will go where it deems necessary within a range determined by the Torque Bias Ratio.

Pretty bad ass if that's the case. It'll mean that Audi can set a static no-traction torque split of like 30/70 F/R, though they may wuss out like always and do a 60/40 split static.

But I like where they're going with it. According the B7 RS4 release, this is the first they've used the new Torsen in, so I think the RS6 unit is what you'd find in the 4.2 A6.

Of course you know the next question I want to ask....

the parts of course are not available yet. i've been asking around. :-)

...or maybe the answer to the question you are hinting at is: "TREE"

Nice. I wonder if the form factor of that torsen is even the same though. We'll just
 

have to see.

I'm already ahead of you, so here is what I know...
 

...The B5 S4 which was essentially the first 6 speed box uses a unique Torsen.

I say unique becuase when the next 6 speed box came out (used for the 1.8t Longitudinal and the B6 S4) the Torsen changed.

Still the same design, but they moved one of the splines to the outside of the housing (not sure why, seems like a better, but more expensive design).

You can't put a B5 S4 6 speed Torsen into a B6 S4 6 speed transmission and vice/versa. Lame, but reality.

Now you've got this potential shift to a Type C Torsen. This will in all liklihood have no chance in hell of dropping in a B5 6 speed box. Best chance is that the entire B7 RS4 tranny will meet the B5 2.7t motor. Good news there is that Audi has kept that bell housing to motor connection pretty much the same since like a million years ago.

Type A (us):
<img src="http://www.torsen.com/images/differential_forces.jpg">

<img src="http://www.torsen.com/images/T1_wpl.jpg">


Type C (bad ass):
<img src="http://www.torsen.com/images/T2_diagram.jpg">

<img src="http://www.torsen.com/images/T3_1_2.jpg">


Of course, I could be wrong, but from the sound of it, this is what Audi is doing, and I applaud them for that. Now they have an easy (relative) way to set static torque split between performance and general model variations.

see above...

the first diagrams i understand. but the second may as well be this:
 

<img src="http://pictures.pascal.com/gallery/albums/cookiemonster/IMG_1744.sized.jpg">

Thx for the data Ryan(as usual). Thought the B6 had Q-IV like us.