Audi Pulls Out of the Power Race

Weight has always been considered the mortal enemy of sporting cars, as it hampers acceleration, reduces cornering agility

"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 Canada)

and compromises braking capabilities. The "larger and more powerful is better" cycle that gets repeated with each 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

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, Canadian Auto Press)

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 a sign that Audi won't be switching to rear-drive anytime soon.

While at first Reis's comments make it appear that vehicles such as Audi's 450 horsepower RS6 may no longer be competing against BMW and M-B in the horsepower race, this shouldn't mean that new Audi's won't 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."