The B5 platform was introduced that year. The evolutionary step from the Audi 90 and 100 that preceded it. The lines were smooth and refined from all other Audi models at that time. Originally designed as a family hauling, grocery getting, soccer practice taxi, four door sedan. It was ahead of its time, and the design was kept in production for nearly a decade.
The B5 platform originally came in 2 engine variants:
2.8 liter NA V6 12 valves 176hp
1.8 liter turbocharged inline 4 (20 valves) 150hp
Over the next few years a 2 new engine variants were introduced:
2.8 liter v6 30 valves (replaced 12v engine) 196hp
2.7 liter v6 30 valves with twin turbos 250hp
The original v6 was coded the AFC and had a close cousin named the AAH. Both used 2 valves per cylinder and were rated from the factory to produce 176 hp; roughly 116 wheel horse power was seen out of these on the Quattro models.
Since its release, various enthusiasts have pioneered and developed new parts for the car to increase the power output. The main member of those members being Mance Edtherige of Vintage Audi Performance. His part developments include ported throttle bodies, intakes, and lightened pulleys.
The AFC and its older cousin, the AAH, were controlled by Hitachi ECU that was not easily tuned. A chip re-tune was not available for this car until 2008 when 034 Motorsports started offering a chip tune for select ecu's. As there were limited resources for tuning this motor for so long, many considered it a dead end motor, not a viable candidate for modifications.
Even with all the intake, exhaust, and ecu modifications the car would only squeeze out roughly 250 hp; a respectable but still conservative amount of power. The engine was always thought of as a dead end by the Audi community. It was considered impractical to modify because of the amount of money involved in making it perform better.
Of all the variants, the 12 valve v6 can usually be found the cheapest. I picked mine up in 2003 for $7200 with 68,000 miles. It was in good condition with the Quattro all wheel drive system mated to a 5 speed automatic transmission (01V). It had the AFC engine variant.
For more information about the B5 platform, see the Wikipedia article.
For more information about the AFC & AAH, see 12v.org
