Next Gen RS4 Could Use Audi's Brand New 3.0-Liter TFSI Supercharged Engine
Car Magazine had the opportunity to site down with a “high placed Audi source” revealing a few juicy details about future models in the Audi portfolio.
Starting off with the RS4, the current generation model houses a high revving 4.2-liter V8 in its engine bay, but we can now tell you the brand new supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine is planned to be deployed when the new version comes out.
As it stands, this engine pumps out 290hp and 420Nm of torque and will be initially used in the A6, the new S4 is also expected to be blessed with the same engine, but a tuned version pumping out as much as 350hp will be used. Therefore for the top-spec RS4, the Audi engineers will surely test their technical expertise to the limit, with consumers likely to expect at least 400hp when the new generation is released.
Fortunately the mole in Audi didn't stop there, we can also confirm the A1 will definitely be the smallest model in the Audi line-up until at least 2013, the A3 range will be extended with the Q3 and the highly anticipated R8 V10 will boast a naturally aspirated engine.
I don't know what to say to this. Only 400 hp?! I guess it would make sense to seek out lighter materials for the car's structre, if an engine such as this would to be in use. However, something tells me that this is probably just talk and that they will continue to use a V8 engine, or probably, do further tuning to the supercharged V6 that they have now (pehaps turbocharge it instead), in order to squeeze more than 400 bhp from it. It's fello German rivals are the Ms of BMW and Merc's AMGs for crying out loud.
If the weight savings will more than make up for the loss in power, then by all means, they should consider it. But I don't think it's possible for Audi engineers to find more than 16.7% in weight savings to compensate for the 16.7% loss in power, while keeping the car as luxurious and comfortable as Audi cars -- even RS models -- are supposed to be. What I think they should do is keep a V8 in the RS4, albeit one with a little more power than before. And then when that is done, maybe they can shed some weight to get the car's dynamics up to speed. That's probably the best, and most realistic way for them to go right now. But then we could use another great surprise from them. And why can't RS cars have diesels in them?
I applaud the use of a smaller displacement force induced engine rather than the temptation to use a v8 or a larger engine. In the current and future climate (no pun intented), where oil prices and climate change have already started to take their toll on the sales of performance cars with large displacement engines, it good to see manufacturers taking the initiative to find other ways of maintaining/gaining performance without going down traditional routes. Surely, none of us would complain about a car with less engine power and weight but better power to weight ratio. I also feel that manufacturers need to start taking steps to change the mindset of a lot of people who judge how good a car is by looking at aspects like headlining figures and the sheer amount of luxuries it has.
Its an encouraging move i think, given that superchagers are better in the low rnage. I can't help but think that maybe after this next generation we might even see a 3.0L twincharger (both supercharged & turbocharged - similar technology used in the 1.4 TSI Golf GT)
how light do you supposed the RS4 is supposed to be to get a better power to weight ratio than the current one? the quattro A4's are quite porky.
The problem with this is Audi may find themselves losing ground to BMW M3 and Merc C63 AMG. My opinion is BMW might just decide to up the current 335i which is currently a hot car that gives the M3 and RS4 a fair fight. Merc might definately jump in with a blown 3.2 litre engine to replace the current 350 and we all know what Merc can do when it comes to power albiet their chasis and trick traction controls being slightly down on the two german rivals. If anything BMW's current engine in the M3 is blown in the current X6 and one can assume that they will squeeze more power out of it for the next M3. Merc might super charge their current monstous engines so all in all, Audi is trying to make a Porsche like RS4 (good lord they have got to use super light weight materials) and it's no easy achievement. They might just lose a few power junkies who got hooked to the muscle RS4 to it's two rivals.It will be intresting to watch this 'space'.
MB had a nice 3.2L Supercharged engine in the old C32. I had the fortunate opportunity to own one as a daily driver and it was a sweet engine that was tuned to over 400 bhp with changes in the supercharger pulley, exhaust, manifold, heat exchangers. The car pulled like hell!
I definitely welcome a change to smaller displacement forced induction engines...not because of the climate or the fuel economy...but because blown engines (turbo & supercharged engines) can be tuned for more POWERRRR.
Well they said at least 400hp so, knowing Audi it will probably be a bit above the current hp (420) or very close to it. I don't see Audi having an issue with keeping up with M and AMG. The RS4 is a few years off yet so who knows what kind of new tech Audi might come out with to make the engine even better.
Won't the use of a smaller engine itself reduce the starting weight of the new rs4? i mean loosing two cylinders from a v8 is essentially losing a quarter of the engine! I think Audi might be taking the high revving approach as they may use the newly developed valve timing technology, this would further help reduce weight because of the lighter flywheel required. Audi have also stated that they will be using a compact supercharger and direct gasoline injection meaning further weight loss with increased power. Now all Audi have to do is reduce the weight of the body and the four wheel drive system.
If the RS4 is to have a lower output than the most recent version, then this situation could be the motivation VW/Audi needs to produce a lighter vehicle. In some ways, we can see the influence of Porsche as a possible clue to the direction the RS4 could potentially go. It has been mentioned a few times that Porsche is near the limit of the Flat-6 "Boxer" engine. For this reason, Porsche has little choice but to reduce the weight of its vehicles by implementing more lightweight materials in the construction of their vehicles. If Audi is bound to a lower maximal output of a smaller, lighter engine, then it would make sense to pursue producing a lighter vehicle in order to maintain an expected level of performance. Could this mean the introduction of Audi's first carbon fiber roof and non-cosmetic body panels on a production veichle (the R8's "sideblades" are not a structural component)? I believe this problem is the type of design challenge Audi engineers relish and I look forward to seeing their solution.