Re: VR6 0-60 times

[VW155mph@aol.com]

In a message dated 04/07/2000 3:59:06 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
khan@mediaaccess.com writes:

> So why the discrepancy on the reported times? I mean it's a given 
>  that any published figure is dependent on many conditions (including 
>  drivers' skill), but you'd think that if the A4 wasn't much slower or 
>  faster than the A3, you'd see numbers in the 6.9 - 7.1 range... Yet 
>  one person noted that the A4 is at 7.4 sec?
>  

I think the discrepancy is valid.  First, 150 lbs is a significant amount of 
weight to add to a car that isn't getting a significant power gain.  Next 
time you are at the track add some weight to your car (take a friend with 
you), and you will see.

Next, even though VW shortened the 1st 3 gears, they changed the spacing 
between the first 4 gears (making it wider).  This means that when you shift 
out of a gear, you are starting at a lower rpm (and mph) in the next gear vs. 
an A3 which has a closer ratio gear box.  So, it is possible that the tester 
had to shift into 3rd to hit 60, where the A3 would hit 60 in 2nd (I haven't 
driven an A4 VR6 recently, so I don't remember if that's correct).  I think 
it would have been better for VW to change the final drive, thus keeping the 
closer ratios and improving acceleration.  VW most likely didn't take that 
route, because gas mileage would have suffered.

Marc A. Brown
Speed Etc. Motorsports
Club GTI International (Northeast Region)
"Cogito Ergo Sum"
1995 Jetta GLX (well modded)
1998 New Beetle 2.0 (still stock)