New A6...is lighter

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Arkaign

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
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As you guys know already, I'm not an Audi kind of guy. That said, a big thumbs up for this news! If it proves a systemic engineering emphasis on cutting the pork from the 4/5/6 series Audis, I think that will make a lot of folks pretty happy. The 8 series is expected to be be a big heavy car, so no worries there.
 
mmntech

mmntech

Lifer
Sep 20, 2007
17,501
12
0
My dad has a 2006 Audi A6 Quattro 3.2L. Probably one of the nicest cars I've drive, on the very rare occasion he lets me drive it. :p

The car is built like a tank though. Never liked it's heavy doors. Almost reminds me of my mom's old 1983 Caprice just due to it's sheer size and weight.
 
PricklyPete

PricklyPete

Lifer
Sep 17, 2002
14,582
162
106
Arkaign said:
As you guys know already, I'm not an Audi kind of guy. That said, a big thumbs up for this news! If it proves a systemic engineering emphasis on cutting the pork from the 4/5/6 series Audis, I think that will make a lot of folks pretty happy. The 8 series is expected to be be a big heavy car, so no worries there.
Click to expand...

I think it is. I read this article in C&D not long ago and it seems the company is really trying to focus on losing weight:

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/10q1/lightweight_audi_a5_2.0t_concept-prototype_drive

The new A8 has by far the least powerful engine in the segment, but because it is so much lighter than other cars in its class, it keeps up with them just find with 27MPG to boot. Impressive.

I would buy that lightweight A5 concept in a minute.
 
exdeath

exdeath

Lifer
Jan 29, 2004
13,679
10
81
Factory forced induction is a beautiful thing. You don't even pay attention to the spec sheet, you already know this is a 400 WHP car no matter what Audi or anybody else tells you. Bwuahahaha.
 
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PricklyPete

PricklyPete

Lifer
Sep 17, 2002
14,582
162
106
exdeath said:
Factory forced induction is a beautiful thing. You don't even pay attention to the spec sheet, you already know this is a 400 WHP car no matter what Audi or anybody else tells you. Bwuahahaha.
Click to expand...

Definitely. A lot of people have said the same engine in the S4 is very underrated. I do love NA engines, but this proliferation of forced induction cars from the factory cars is great.
 
D

darkswordsman17

Lifer
Mar 11, 2004
23,444
5,852
146
I don't think it looks better. That front is a bit too aggressive for the rest of the car. Don't like the taillights that much either. The rest of the car doesn't look different.

Don't get me wrong its far from bad, in fact, I like it even, but I wish they would have gone further. This just looks like they slapped on a new front fascia and taillights. I suppose thats what the A7 is for.

Same with the interior, its not bad, but I don't feel its better. Actually it reminds me of the BMW 5 series.

I do like the rest though, especially the focus on getting lighter. Its definitely something Audi needed.
 
ElFenix

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,402
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8 speed transmission? why?


and is that a honda style hybrid system?
 
TraumaRN

TraumaRN

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2005
6,893
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That interior is just...bland to me. Sure I see the nav screen and all that, but it doesn't scream 2010 to me if that makes sense. And just looking at it makes me feel cramped.
 
A

ayabe

Diamond Member
Aug 10, 2005
7,449
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0
Looks great and considering the old model still outclassed the new 5 series, I'd say BMW is having a pout fest right about now.
 
R

RKS

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
6,824
3
81
I have always loved Audi interiors and exteriors but this A6 looks like the Bavarian answer to the Camry.
 
TraumaRN

TraumaRN

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2005
6,893
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ElFenix said:
i know. but is there any actual benefit over a 6 speed? i thought moving to 7 speeds was kinda ridiculous.
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My thoughts as well. At what point is someone just going to invest money to make a good CVT because I mean 8 speeds? 10 speeds? It's not a damn Schwinn it's a car.

On second thought Nissan makes a decent CVT and yet they are going to 7-8 speeds trans as well. Are you really saving that much fuel by going from 8th to 6th to pass then 6th to 4th?? Does it really do that much more to keep the car in the power/torque band? The added complexity bothers me a bit especially when you start talking replacement, and yes I know I drive a hybrid so I have a complex car, but the trans is actually just a 1 speed, no true reverse, probably a lot simpler then an 8 speed trans
 
T

thegimp03

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2004
7,420
2
81
I think it looks good too. Interested to see what enhancements they make in an S version...
 
PricklyPete

PricklyPete

Lifer
Sep 17, 2002
14,582
162
106
ElFenix said:
i know. but is there any actual benefit over a 6 speed? i thought moving to 7 speeds was kinda ridiculous.
Click to expand...

While I would agree with you if I were changing the gears myself, the new 8spd ZF transmission is supposed to be sublime. It has gotten excellent reviews in every application it has been put it. I believe they say there is up to a 5% increase in as mileage due to the extra gears...so that is primarily the reason they are upgrading.

As much as I dislike automatics in general, I have nothing but good things to say about the 6spd ZF unit in my wife's car. It is very responsive in Sport mode and I can't think of an instance where I have felt it was in the wrong gear. I've honestly been impressed. That being said, I still won't give up my manual as long as I have two legs.
 
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bigdog1218

bigdog1218

Golden Member
Mar 7, 2001
1,674
2
0
Arkaign said:
As you guys know already, I'm not an Audi kind of guy. That said, a big thumbs up for this news! If it proves a systemic engineering emphasis on cutting the pork from the 4/5/6 series Audis, I think that will make a lot of folks pretty happy. The 8 series is expected to be be a big heavy car, so no worries there.
Click to expand...

Audi is definitely focusing on cutting weight from all their cars. I think they went hybrid to appeal to the masses, but they really want smaller super/turbo charged engines and much lighter cars.

I can't find the article, but I think the next gen S4 will be 20% lighter because of the new aluminum frame, that's 800lbs.
 
K

KIAman

Diamond Member
Mar 7, 2001
3,342
23
81
The newer 8 speed transmissions are a best of both worlds type of transmissions. It offers tall end gears for better mileage but offers lower lowers to provide better performance. Hell, a lot of modern 6+ speed transmissions don't even start in first gear unless in sport mode.

2 reasons why we won't see mass CVT offerings. First, traditionally, CVT cannot handle the stress of a modern engine so have a low torque limit. Second, people have become very accustomed to the sound and feel of changing gears. Some manufacturers have gotten around the second point by "emulating" gear changes but that defeats the one of the big reasons for a CVT.

Audi definately looks like it is trying to save weight. Has anyone seen the new Porsche Cayenne? They cut 400+ lbs from that thing.
 
PricklyPete

PricklyPete

Lifer
Sep 17, 2002
14,582
162
106
KIAman said:
2 reasons why we won't see mass CVT offerings. First, traditionally, CVT cannot handle the stress of a modern engine so have a low torque limit. Second, people have become very accustomed to the sound and feel of changing gears. Some manufacturers have gotten around the second point by "emulating" gear changes but that defeats the one of the big reasons for a CVT.
Click to expand...

I have also read that a major drawback of CVT is that while they can offer a infinite variance between two gear sizes, they are limited to the range. So an 8spd can offer a much lower 1st gear and a much taller 8th gear that what would be possible in a CVT...not to mention the stress and "feeling" limitations that you mentioned.
 
Arkaign

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,379
126
bigdog1218 said:
Audi is definitely focusing on cutting weight from all their cars. I think they went hybrid to appeal to the masses, but they really want smaller super/turbo charged engines and much lighter cars.

I can't find the article, but I think the next gen S4 will be 20% lighter because of the new aluminum frame, that's 800lbs.
Click to expand...

That's awesome. If some of the R8 styling starts to really give some edginess to the 4 and 6s, I could very well come around to being an Audi guy, combined with that emphasis on low weight :)

Not that I would be the probable typical rich person that buys an Audi on lease and then gets a new one every 6-12 months. There are so many of those kinds of people around here.
 
N

NAC

Golden Member
Dec 30, 2000
1,105
11
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I’m glad they are finally taking weight seriously.

Also very happy with the changes to the interior. It lost the “pregnant” dash which most luxury manufacturers except Jaguar have had of late. Returns to the low dash from the midpoint to the passenger door. I like the pop-up screen – elegant solution to get a big screen in the middle of the dash. My B6 S4 has a similar dash, but with more right angles, and I far prefer it over the B7 pregnant dash look. Some Infinity and Lexus models are the worst offenders – looking like a minivan in the middle of the dash. I hate it.
 
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