[ QUOTE ]
that wigginer said:
I don't see any Audi greats in that list of soulful NA engines ... did I make the wrong choice?
[/ QUOTE ]
In my opinion Audi don't make many greats...engines or otherwise.
The ur Quattro was a great car...truly great. And an engine to match...a turbo engine with soul...but not up there with the most 'soulful' in the world, in my view.
As far as I'm concerned, Audi do many things well...good engines, great build and interiors, average handling etc...but the package is superb...the combination of all the factors.
But this does not make it a great car.
Personally, I really like the NA V6 audi engine...turbine smooth...lovely. But not really soulful when compared to other 6's like BMWs in line 6, or Porsche's flat 6. Hell, the VW 12v VR6 has more soul.
VAG engines in general seem to be efficient, reasonably powerful, long lasting, but lacking in character - or soul. This is true - in my opinon - for both NA and FI.
Some do have character...just not as much as others in the sector...I love my 2.0 16v (ABF) Golf GTI engine...but compared to Honda's 1.8 VTEC (B18C) unit it is a poor relation.
This being said, I don't believe people buy Audis for the ultimate driving ability or character of the engine...they buy them for the whole package...a package that would make me buy another Audi any day.