Offical new VW engine news. .

[ryanweatherby@juno.com]

Sorry if this is a repeat, but thought everyone might find this of
interest.
-Ryan
(95 Jetta GLS "custom paint," courtesy of VW)

Autoweek 2/15/99

"RSI vs. AMG vs. M

The outrageous New Beetle RSi that Voklswagen showed as a concept at
Detroit is a harbinger of Vee Dubs to come, although it's not clear
whetehr such a line will be imported to North America.  The RSi line,
designed to compete with Mercedes-Benz's AMG and BMW's M lines will
feature all wheel drive and lots of horsepower.  VW is working on a
family of V4, V6, V8, and V12 engines ranging from 2.0 - 5.6 liters.

These engines will be, like the current VR6, narrow angle vee engines. 
But VW will drop the "R" (for the German word for "inline") from the
designation to distinguish these engines as all new designs.

All will have four valve heads, variable camshaft timing and Bosch ME7.1
engine management onboard diagnostics.  They will be very compact and
lightweight.  VW engine specialists have worked on a sequential
turbocharger package from Garrett, which helps boost specific output of
the engines by 40 HP for 116 per liter!

The first new engine will be a naturally aspirated V6 in the Golf
4motion, wihch gets a 17% kick to 204hp.  A 3.2 liter V6 makes about
250hp insiders says

*** Topping even that will be a turbocharged 3.2 liter for a Jetta RSi,
with lightweight body panels and a major body makeover.  The hot Jetta
will have VW's new six speed manual and multiplate clutch all wheel drive
system, from the Audi TT.  The Jetta RSi debuts at the Frankfurt show
this fall.

More hot VWs: North America won't see the all wheel drive version of the
Europe only Lupo mini with a twin turbo 2.0 liter V4 rated at 225hp. 
It's deigned to rival Rover's next generation Mini Cooper S.  What's
important for us is that the engine will serve as half of the much
anticpated Volkswagen V8.  Two V8s are planned: a 270hp 3.0 lter and a
4.3 with more than 300hp, both slated to apear first in VW's big Passat
Plus.

The engines will also be offered in VW's Passat coupe, based of the next
generation Audi A4.  In turbo form , the 4.3 should provide an all wheel
drive Passat coupe RSi with up to 400hp.  Enough to challenege the BMW M5
and Mercedes CLK55AMG"
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