Audi's Five-Cylinder Engine Will Live On Outside Europe

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Scazitar@reddit

Total random speculation but I wouldn't be suprised if they replace it with something in the i6 realm in a few years when it's phased out.

As in NA I feel like 5 cylinder has always sold well to car nerds but ultimately doesn't attract the mainstream the way someone like bmw does because they pull the "bigger numbers bigger" which would be in line with porchse caring way more these days about big power numbers.

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jrileyy229@reddit

Uhh, what? You're saying they should go to an inline 6 because the average consumer is just going to see the 6 is more than 5 and say "more is better?"

Let's assume that's true... But then you reference Porsche who went to 4cyl engines in all their entry level models...

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Xiinz@reddit

Yes and look how well the 981 is holding its value

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jrileyy229@reddit

I didn't say I'm in favor of any of it ... I'm just trying to understand the point of the comment

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Several-Eggplant4460@reddit

Mercedes went with 4-bangers in their GLC AMG versions, it sold terribly, now they're going back to a 6cyl in the upcoming GLC53.

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Scazitar@reddit

Uhh, what?

I'm guessing what they will do, not what I want. The engine is going to be phased out in a few years it's in the article.

Yes other autos have more horsepower which does attract the mainstream. Supported by sales which audi is far behind it's main competitors and a common reason said of why they picked something else. It's not a like a wild statement at all.

Fair enough on the last part but you really just took what you wanted out of my comment and didn't read the read the rest lol. Just really wanted to argue today huh?

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gosukhaos@reddit

They'll replace it with an efficient but boring turbo charged 4-banger, an i6 has too many packaging problems in the smaller cars

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Several-Eggplant4460@reddit

BMW did it with the 2 series...

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gosukhaos@reddit

Not the ones with the Haldex AWD system

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Captain_Alaska@reddit

Volvo did it, for example certain specs of the S60 were transverse straight 6 with Haldex AWD from 2011 to 2016 (along with I think 5 other models).

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RAMBIGHORNY@reddit

A lot of times 5cyls fall into the trap of having the power of a 4cyl and the fuel economy of a 6cyl

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WingerRules@reddit

Isnt it because they tend to have more friction due to stuff like needing a balance shaft?

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gdnws@reddit

More likely due to the frictional losses due to the additional cylinder while having a marginal increase in displacement. Cylinder distribution air/fuel challenges might play into it as well; historically inline 5 engines have struggled with that as well. They don't tend to need balance shafts though; the ubiquitous VW ea888 4 cylinder has two balance shafts while the inline 5 has none.

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RIP_Soulja_Slim@reddit

This would be pretty difficult, the entire point/implementation of the I5 is that it's transverse mounted and works with the Haldex AWD systems in those transverse applications in Audi's small cars.

To go I6 they'd almost certainly need to go longitudinal, which would require a completely different frame architecture and ground up drivetrain design.

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Captain_Alaska@reddit

Depends on the size of the engine, there are a few transverse straight 6s floating around, notably on some of Volvos older cars.

Could always attempt a revive of the VR6 too.

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Scazitar@reddit

Intresting thanks for the info!

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SwissMargiela@reddit

Yup. The I5 is a compromise to fit a busted FWD based platform (I can say this, I have an S3 lol).

They’re just lucky it’s a VERY cool compromise.

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geokilla@reddit

The problem I have with the 5 cylinder is the pricing. In Canada, I can get a M340i ($74k) for the price of a RS3 ($82k). The RS3 is smaller and probably more nimble but the M340i has the legendary B58, arguably better interior, RWD, and is a better daily. I love my 5 cylinders as I grew up in 3 Volvo 5 cylinder cars but I can't bring myself to pay for the RS3 when I can get a M340i for the same price after options.

If the RS3 was priced at $70k, $15k above the Golf R, then that's a different story.

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SirLoremIpsum@reddit

In Canada, I can get a M340i ($74k) for the price of a RS3 ($82k). The RS3 is smaller and probably more nimble but the M340i has the legendary B58

Is that not a little apples to oranges?

The M340i would be compared to an S3, the M3 to the RS3...?

If the M340i has the S58 then sure but to me the baby M being cheaper than an M competitor is normal?

M sport, Faux AMG, S. Vs M / AMG / RS

Or am I off base? Interior and sprc etc is different

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geokilla@reddit

It's a bit of a wrong comparison as you said, since the M340i's competitor is the new S5 which also starts at $73k. By pricing the RS3 so high, it's the main reason why the RS3 doesn't sell well in Canada compared to the S4 and current S5. Consumers need to really want the inline 5 in order to justify the premium over the S5 and M340i.

Don't forget BMW's B58 is notoriously underrated and it's actually putting out closer to 400HP at the wheels so in terms of power output, the B58 compares very well against the DAZA in stock form.

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wkns@reddit

I have an A4 avant with the 2.0L from the golf R (albeit longitudinal) detuned to 245hp and 370Nm with Quattro and it’s an awesome daily. The 330i was stiffer and interior was awful (2019 model year) but would also be a great daily. It’s sad to not have access to smaller/mid engine offering because they are usually priced really well on the used market (my A4 was priced similarly as a Skoda Octavia or Passat).

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09Customx@reddit

Facts, they sold a ton of E90 323i’s and F30 320i’s here. I’m sure they could bring over a lower powered 320i or even 318i for $10k cheaper and people would be all over it.

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geokilla@reddit

Oh man those F30 320i were everywhere back in the day. They were probably lease specials but it got people into the brand and were extremely affordable at the time. I think it was starting at $45k? It competed against the C250 and IS250 at the time, both of which were also extremely popular.

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e92s65king@reddit

Sounds about right being priced like the m2 then. M340i is fine but not a trivially special experience.

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geokilla@reddit

Yep M2 competitor except the M2 is way more popular than the RS3 here. Though it may be because the M2 has been on sale for longer.

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oralabora@reddit

The 5 cylinder is so much cooler of an engine in every way

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Santa_Hates_You@reddit

Yup, last 5 cylinder in a production car vs the same I6 BMW uses in everything. Plus the I6 is making a comeback with Mazda and Stellantis making them.

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costafilh0@reddit

Of course it will.

How would manufacturers survive trapped in the EU BS?

BTW, you can still buy the Cayman and Boxster GTS with a manual transmission outside Europe. It didn't receive any major updates, which in this day and age is a good thing.

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Riverrattpei@reddit

The 718 has been out of production since October

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Mufasa_LG@reddit

For the love of God, Audi, please let me buy the hatchback version in the US... I'd even custom order one with special paint, interior, and all.

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Supramantis@reddit

What’s wrong with the sedan?

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Mufasa_LG@reddit

Even though I typically dislike hatchbacks, the RS3 Sportback just does something for me. While I appreciate them both, for what they are, the sedan just doesn't catch my eye in the same way. What I would actually like is a TTRS with the new and improved performance of the most recent RS3s.

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NitroLada@reddit

The 5 cylinder is shit though

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Equivalent-Battle973@reddit

Odd numbered Cylinder engines always sound SO bizarre to me.

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petey_porker@reddit

Golf R mk9?!

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Hustletron@reddit

Honestly though this helps differentiate the Golf R from Audi offerings and keeps the market slot open for the 4 banger Golf concept to stay in play

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willpc14@reddit

I always figured the AWD is what set the Golf R apart. I think any Golf with the 5cyl is going to be a $10k price premium over the standard Golf R.

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SirLoremIpsum@reddit

Golf R R-Type

Ford has a R version of the Raptor, which is itself a spicy version of the regular F-150.

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FreewayPineapple@reddit

Keep dreaming buddy

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Van_Darklholme@reddit

I want my VR6/W8 golf pls

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Uptons_BJs@reddit

Aka: North America? Don’t think that 5 cylinder is selling well in Asia, or Africa here

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V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit

Don’t know about Africa, but Asia would be dependent. It’s possible to see L5 in Japan.

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Sv3797@reddit

The rs3 is a go to sports car for the wealthy here

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_BEER_@reddit

You guys in SA have some sick BMW builds.

Like the BYM Fabrication M2 N55, it sounds sick as fuck man.

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Worried-Pineapple808@reddit

Not the South Africans that can afford RS3s. The people buying Chinese cars are the people that would otherwise be buying Polos

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costafilh0@reddit

AKA World.

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Subzero_Wins@reddit

RS3 is VERY popular in South Africa

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Worried-Pineapple808@reddit

My Area in Cape town is crawling with RS3s. Though its main problem is it is priced more than the M2, of which there are TONS

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AnonymousEngineer_@reddit

They sell a fair few RS3s and RSQ3s here in Australia.

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TheB1ackAdderr@reddit

I think they should modify the Porsche 718 platform to make a mid-engine TT replacement. An electric front axle could help it stay in the EU market.

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xXNodensXx@reddit

It's pretty sad that they cannot sell this engine in their own home country.

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SnikySquirrel@reddit (OP)

Most likely only for a few extra years though.

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costafilh0@reddit

Most likely as long as is profitable and there is demand.

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Ok-Presence-4071@reddit

The 5-cylinder is one of those rare engines that isn’t just about numbers, it’s about character. That off-beat firing order sounds like it’s slightly out of step with the world in the best way possible.

Kind of wild that Europe might lose it first when it’s basically part of Audi’s identity at this point. If anything, this just makes the cars that still have it feel even more special… like a mechanical endangered species.

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noSSD4me@reddit

I’m not sure how much longer RS3 will survive in North America considering a whopping price increase. Now it doesn’t look like a good deal just to get the legendary 5 cylinder.

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TROGDOR_X69@reddit

if only NA got cool cars.

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IsTheShibaInU@reddit

Right here, champ. You're getting a cool car that Europe no longer has.

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signde@reddit

I would pay all the monies for the sportback version of this.

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PurpleSausage77@reddit

Amazing engine and DCT trans/Haldex combo. I’d love an MQB platform vehicle with it. It’s close, but I would have to pick B58+ZF8hp platform BMW over it due to cheaper accessibility and more plentiful.

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Astramael@reddit

Good, it’s a cool engine.

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ElonDoneABellamy@reddit

Being a car enthusiast in Europe is absolutely shit

I grew up on Top Gear with Clarkson (unfairly) clowning on American cars and roads, back in the days of the V10 M5 and RS6 lolling about how American cars can't go round corners cos the roads are straight.

Now we're all sat here in our 4 cylinder hybrids, sticking rigidly to the speed limit because of the average speed cameras and when we go on the internet to complain about it the state sends around a copper in a sports hijab to arrest you for hate speech.

🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇪🇺🇪🇺🇪🇺🇪🇺

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