2008 & 2010 3.2 engine HP puzzle

[cloaked]

Okay I'm tired of searching for the answer. How does the 3.2 engine in the 2010 Q5 make 15 more HP 270 than the 2008 3.2 Avant 255? More importantly I'd like to have the 15 HP.

[cal3thousand]

Mapping. It's just tuned to be slightly more aggressive. A tune won't be that beneficial on an NA motor though. Why care about 15 hp? Want to be faster? Lose wheel weight! That 15 HP difference is only at 6500 rpm and likely less difference across other areas. Getting some light wheels would help you ALL across the board from acceleration, to brake, to cornering, and to looks.

[sun_dance]

"Adding power makes you faster on the straights subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere" - Colin Chapman

[cloaked]

Mapping. It's just tuned to be slightly more aggressive. A tune won't be that beneficial on an NA motor though. Why care about 15 hp? Want to be faster? Lose wheel weight! That 15 HP difference is only at 6500 rpm and likely less difference across other areas. Getting some light wheels would help you ALL across the board from acceleration, to brake, to cornering, and to looks.

I was wondering if it was a map or a different intake, exhaust, or something else. I have a Q5 and A6 Quattro, the Q5 weights over 100lbs more but feels more responsive on acceleration, the only difference on paper that favors the Q5 is the 15 HP. I'd like to have that 15 HP in my A6 to see if it's noticeable.

[se.farrell]

I am pretty sure they are actually two different engines. The engines in the A6 and Q5 have an actual volume of 3123 cm^3 and 3197cm^3, respectfully. This extra volume could be reason for power difference (but wait, there's more).

I believe the Q5 shares the same 3.2 as the B8 A4's. A little check showed that actual size of both are the same and torque is the same at 330 Nm/3000 rpm. (More) Buuutttt, if you want to explain why the Q5 is making 270 while the A4 is making 265, THAT would be an interesting question. This could probably be where the mapping comes into play? Probably wanted to have a car that weighs ~375 pounds more have a little more power...

[cloaked]

Okay thanks for the explanation I'm okay with my car as is I was just wondering once I actually saw the engine specs.


On another note: I just ordered as set of H&R sport springs to go along with recently purchased anti-sway bars. I would like to get an exhaust /cat back type not too loud just a little more rumble. Thank again for the replies gents.

[Quattrocentric]

It will cost you a little more in gas, but the sport mode on the transmission is way more responsive. This might actually give you the more aggressive acceleration that you're looking for in the car. I must have owned my car for a year before I tried it- I always shifted with the tip, but the sport mode is different. My Avant has paddle shifters, so I use both. Not burning up any autobahns, you understand, but it won't embarrass either.

[cloaked]

I don't use the sport mode but that's a great idea I'll give it a go, but if use it in the A6 and like it I'd better not use it in the Q5


Update: So I dropped the gearing to sport mode, yep it's as good as the Q5 now so I'm good