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Audi Pulls Out of the Power Race

Audi will look to New Technologies and Lighter Weight Materials to Increase Performance

For two and a half decades the performance divisions of Germanys top three prestige automakers, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, have battled it out in a race for ultimate horsepower and all out driving dynamics. With battles waged in nearly all market segments the trio of high-priced German carmakers has turned the 80s, 90s, and what weve seen of this new millennium into an interesting spectacle.

No true import automotive enthusiast could deny excitement over the news of Audis original super-wagon, the

For the past 25 years, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, have battled it out in a race for ultimate horsepower and all out driving dynamics. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

Porsche-tuned RS2. Designed by Quattro GmbH, no other factory-produced compact wagon could top its explosive power. Nor can anyone turn a blind eye to the overloaded antics of Mercedes-Benz in its latest assault on the super-luxury crowd. With vehicles powered by supercharged V8 and twin-turbocharged V12

Audi has officially pulled out of the horsepower race, stating that increasing the power output is not the way forward. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz U.S.A.)

powerplants, nothing comes close in the torque department. BMWs most recent rendition of the M5 is perhaps the quintessential super-sedan, built with an F1-inspired V10 and a 7-speed paddle-shift sequential gearbox.

But the competition, particularly the one-upmanship that has taken place over the previous five years is soon to be reduced to a battle of two German automakers, at least now that Audi has officially pulled out of the horsepower

"With a rear-wheel drive car, all you succeed in doing is lighting up the yellow traction control sign," stated Quattro division development boss Stephen Reil. (Photo: BMW of North America)

race. Stephen Reil, General Manager of Development at Quattro GmbH, the man responsible for procuring Audis RS models, commented on the issue saying, "Continuing to increase the power outputs is not the way forward. With more power the car normally gets heavier and then you need more power again."

Weight has always been considered the mortal enemy of sporting cars, as it hampers acceleration, reduces cornering agility and compromises braking capabilities. The "larger and more powerful is better" cycle that gets repeated with each

The Quattro division is aiming to develop cars that blend the best of the high-power output world with "outstanding driving dynamics and road handling". (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

new generation of models has to stop, according to Audi, which bodes well for a concentration on other important developmental areas and hopefully a trend that will shed years of weight gain from upcoming vehicles.

Another critical issue involved with the horsepower race is getting the power to the ground. Reil also took the opportunity to bash rear-wheel drive competitors whose recent releases include the 507 horsepower BMW M5 and 603 horsepower Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG saying, "With a rear-wheel-drive car, all you succeed in doing is lighting up the yellow traction control sign." While Audi has never had such a problem thanks to its innovative permanent all-wheel drive system, this is definitely

Reil wasnt specific as to whether Audi would cease offering its 450 horsepower twin-turbo V8 as an upgrade or if it would only stop increasing power to match its rivals. (Photo: Audi of America)

a sign that Audi wont be switching to rear-drive anytime soon.

While at first Reiss comments make it appear that vehicles such as Audis 450 horsepower RS6 may no longer be competing against BMW and M-B in the horsepower race, this shouldnt mean that new Audis wont be able to measure up on the street and track. Riel added that the Quattro division is aiming to develop cars that blend the best of the high-power output world with "outstanding driving dynamics and road handling."

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