Generally, when an engine and transmission swap is undertaken it’s something that wasn’t offered from the factory. S52 in an E30, V8 in a 944, VR6 in a Mk.2; you’re making a performance version of a car that wasn’t offered from the factory. But then there are other swaps that, frankly, leave me scratching my head, and this one is certainly high on the list. It’s not that the result wasn’t neat – the finished product looks like a clean A6 Avant, but the lowered stance and big wheels hint at some serious changes under the skin. So let’s take a peek at what’s been done:
Tag: 2.7T
In the late 1990, Volkswagen began the long push to become the segment leader for mid-sized sedans. The B5 Passat was a leap forward over the slow selling and somewhat cantankerous B4 Passat, catching their Japanese competition off-guard. The styling was smooth and almost Bauhaus-like. The Audi A6 that would arrive on the scene in 1997 echoed a lot of the new Passat’s attractive lines wrapped into a more luxurious package. A number of C5 A6s were available, from the garden variety 2.8 to a fire-breathing RS6 with it’s biturbo V8. This 2.7T Quattro splits the middle in terms of performance, with the 2.7 liter biturbo V6 mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. This one has had a host of maintenance and comes with an upgraded RS4 clutch.