Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Audi
Next Audi A6 to feature new lightweight construction inspired by TT
A new Audi A6 is expected to hit showrooms in 2010, and aside from an A4/A5-inspired facelift, the automaker's new 5-series competitor will be underpinned by an evolution of the chassis technology originally developed for the Audi TT. According to Car, the next iteration of Audi's Aluminum and Steel Spaceframe (ASF II) technology will be utilized on all future models, and uses half the steel of the outgoing platforms while providing 50-percent more torsional rigidity. The passenger cell will be made up entirely of aluminum, with steel and foam reinforcements if needed, and the front and rear subframes will be beefed up units integrated into the structures of the nose and tail. The ASF II system will finds its way into other vehicles, including Audi's CUVs, where it has the potential to shave off over 650 pounds from the Q7's curb weight.Naturally, Audi will continue to offer front- and all-wheel-drive on the next A6, but the combination of more potent mills mounted further back into the engine bay will lessen its rival's lead in the handling department. Car's sources suggest that a variety of V6 engines, ranging from 2.8- to 3.2-liters will be offered, along with a pair of diesels, the 4.2-liter FSI V8 found in the RS4/R8, the 5.2-liter V10 (S6) and a twin-turbo 5.0-liter V10 for the RS6.
[Source: Car]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
hashiryu 2:38PM (5/16/2008)
Lighter vehicles.......the automotive world needs to follow this trend.
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zmf001 3:37PM (5/16/2008)
Amen!
Johnny 2:39PM (5/16/2008)
650 lb off the Touareg and Q7 is badly needed.
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Jed Trenton 7:36PM (5/16/2008)
Doubt you'll see the same technologies in a VW. Audi keeps their aluminum chassis to themselves - as they should. Expensive technology no doubt.
Guenther 2:50PM (5/16/2008)
How much can this trim from the weight of rabit/jetta/A3? I like this trend.
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zmf001 3:36PM (5/16/2008)
Probably get the weight back down below 3000. If the Jetta weighed less I would have a 2007 GLI instead of my 2005.5 A4 2.0T Quattro.
But when I can get the same 2.0T engine, AWD, more backseat room, and only add 200 lbs. You better believe I am going to get the Audi.
duh 2:53PM (5/16/2008)
Hopefully Audi will update the 3.2 to make ~300 horsepower for MY2010, and maybe the 4.2 can make close to 400. The A6 is already a few inches longer than the 5 & E, so I wouldn't expect it to grow very much. The weight saving aluminum will be really great.
Ed: RS7? Slight typo.
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bepsf 12:52PM (5/17/2008)
The point is that with reduced weight, Audi can run smaller more efficient engines and provide the same or better performance.
It's not all about horsepower anymore - it's about power/weight ratio and powertrain/fuel efficiency.
zmf001 3:28PM (5/16/2008)
ASF is great technology. Anything that gets the weight back down is a step ahead in my book.
My 2005.5 A4 is 3550 lbs, and it already has a significant amount of aluminum in the suspension to get it down to that weight.
It is nice to see this technology being pushed further, and applied to more practical cars as well. With the R8 you expect exotic stuff like this, but now the A8 and A6 have it. I wonder how long until this is Audi's standard platform construction. A ~3250lb S4 would bring back memories of the B5 ... aahhh ... maybe someday.
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Toy Yoda 3:45PM (5/16/2008)
So when will BMWs go on a diet? I like my 6-series car but it sometimes feels like a truck.
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Bah 3:56PM (5/16/2008)
Hugely happy to see any weight savings.
How does Audi manage to make their headlights look worse each time though? The current LED running lights look idiotic and this one looks like its about to sneeze...
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Sid 4:16PM (5/16/2008)
The artist's impression looks hot in my books!!
It is def a welcome change to see the weight to come down..I always feel that audis are too heavy...still love them tho :)
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Dan 6:32PM (5/16/2008)
No fewer than 7 different engines might be overdoing it a bit.
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Mobius_1 11:24PM (5/16/2008)
Today's mainstream cars are obese compared what used to be on the world's roads
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