While writing the article on VAG SUVs, I noticed several minor but interesting details of their engines and chassis. Here are some:
- Audi and VW often offer engines exclusive to certain markets such as China and North America, especially petrol engines. For instance, 2.0L R4 turbo petrol can be seen on both Touareg and Q7 outside Europe.
- For the latest petrol engine lineup within the whole group, the development and production of each are allocated to different brands. Audi takes the 2.0L R4 EA888 and the 3.0L/2.9L V6 EA839; Porsche takes the 4.0L V8 EA825; VW takes the smaller R4 engines. These engines are shared among all VAG brands. For instance, the 2.9L V6 appears in Cayenne, Panamera, RS4, and RS5. Some say that the 2.9L V6 is derived from the 4.0L V8, but it is actually produced together with its 3.0L sibling in Audi’s Hungary plant and shares the same cylinder bore. The internal engine code of VAG comes in the form EAXXX, with EA meaning Entwicklungsauftrag (development assignment).
- The 4.0L V8 bi-turbo petrol built in Zuffenhausen by Porsche will be applied to all V8 models including A8, Bentayga, Continental GT, Cayenne, Panamera, and Urus. It largely replaced the former 4.0L V8 from Audi. According to Porsche, the two turbochargers boost only 0.3 bar but already release 550ps on Panamera and Cayenne. In comparison, 4-liter V8s with similar output from other brands normally have boost pressure over 1.0 bar. This implies the tremendous potential of this engine, and we have seen that Urus comes with 650ps.
Reference: https://newsroom.porsche.com/de/unternehmen/porsche-v8-benzinmotoren-biturbo-achtzylinder-dynamik-effizienz-12693.html - The 4.0L V8 diesel engine is developed by Audi and comes in two versions: the bi-turbo and the triple-turbo with an additional electric turbocharger. The triple-turbo version is only seen on Q7 and Bentayga for now. Panamera 4S diesel gets the bi-turbo version, and this will be the last diesel car from Porsche.
- The earlier petrol 3.0 TFSI engine from Audi is actually supercharged though marketed as “Turbo”. It was listed as Ward’s 10 Best Engines from 2010 to 2014 and powered the former S4, and S5 as well as the 2nd-gen Cayenne E-hybrid.
- The dual-clutch transmission is flooding within the VAG group. We can roughly group these gearboxes as follow: the one on transverse models is DSG from VW, the one on longitudinal models is S-Tronic from Audi, and Porsche is using PDK from ZF. However, some models do not follow the rule. The gearboxes of the transverse Audi A3 and TT still have the name S-Tronic while they are still the same ones as the 7 or 6-speed DSG on the VW models. Porsche Macan has the name PDK for its transmission though it is actually S-Tronic.
- The “quattro” marque is now a premium symbol among Audi cars and was considered innovative at the time it was introduced. All S and RS models have been equipped with quattro since then. The quattro system features the central differential “Torsen” that adjusts the power distribution between front and rear axles mechanically. The original system is designed for the longitudinal layout, so the transverse A3, TT, and Q3 use Haldex Traction instead, which is also applied to VW transverse 4motion models.
- MQB (Modularer Querbaukasten) is the transverse FWD layout for entry-level models such as Audi A3, TT, and VW Passat. It is paired with either manual or dual-clutch transmission and is optional with AWD.
- MLB (Modularer Längsbaukasten) is the longitudinal FWD-oriented platform and is even more famous with quattro AWD system. Due to the need for an AWD layout, the engine is placed completely ahead of the front axle. This is why Audi models typically have shorter wheelbases than other RWD cars. The Audi models from A4 above, VW Touareg as well as Porsche Cayenne are based on it. It comes either with ZF 8HP “Tiptronic” or dual-clutch S-Tronic transmission.
- MSB (Modularer Standardantriebsbaukasten) is the longitudinal RWD-oriented chassis and can also be AWD. Though designed for RWD, the engine is still in front of the front axle. An R6 or V12 would be too long and may lead to horrible weight distribution. Consequently, the shorter V6, V8, and W12 are used instead. Porsche Panamera, Bentley Continental GT, and the upcoming Flying Spur are based on MSB. The Bentleys are mounted to ZF 8HP, while Panamera is mounted to ZF 8-speed PDK.
