So has anybody read the latest issue of CAR?
07-30-2004, 10:12 AM
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So has anybody read the latest issue of CAR?
Seems that VAG didn't get the cheque into the mail in time;-)
The Golf (non-GTi - GTi not available yet) against BMW 1 series, saw the BMW preferred for handling dynamics. Of course they also concluded that the 1 series was the world's first 4 door 2 seater, and with limited space under the hatch. So it might be better to get the 2 series if driving fun is priority one. Get the Golf if you actually have to move people of things.
Then they pitched the Mini against the 1 series. That was more of a six-of-one, half-dozen-of-another kind of result. Puts Mini at a bit of a disadvantage, since it a nostalgia based car, and it will be hard to grow much.
The new diesel A6 went up against the Jag S-Type and BMW 5 series. They really hammered the BMW for looks (sagging middle aged jowls and droopy belly) and material quality but liked the engine. The Jag was dated but rode well out in the twisty country roads. The Audi was a hands down favourite for materials and execution, but the harsh ride (brittle was used repeatedly) was thoroughly despised. Surprise! The Jag won - of course (British car mag). They placed the Audi last.
Best of all, was an interview with VAG chief Burnt Fishtrousers (Bernd Pischetsrieder). The gist of it was:
Just because a car or technology is cool, does not mean it should be built. A slam of Piech, the former chairman who was an egineer's engineer.
The GTi name and reputation has been squandered. Future GTis will be much more focused and unique.
Audi is VAG's best brand at the moment.
The Phaeton failed because it was not distinctive enough - not because of price. The top selling Touareg is the V10, and it isn't exactly cheap - but sells very well.
The new A6 and present A4 are not ideal with the engine hanging over the front axle. Look for future Audi models to have better weight distribution.
Ask buyers what they don't like, not what they want. What they want will change, but what they don't like, changes very little. Buyers cannot know what technology is in the pipeline.
The Golf (non-GTi - GTi not available yet) against BMW 1 series, saw the BMW preferred for handling dynamics. Of course they also concluded that the 1 series was the world's first 4 door 2 seater, and with limited space under the hatch. So it might be better to get the 2 series if driving fun is priority one. Get the Golf if you actually have to move people of things.
Then they pitched the Mini against the 1 series. That was more of a six-of-one, half-dozen-of-another kind of result. Puts Mini at a bit of a disadvantage, since it a nostalgia based car, and it will be hard to grow much.
The new diesel A6 went up against the Jag S-Type and BMW 5 series. They really hammered the BMW for looks (sagging middle aged jowls and droopy belly) and material quality but liked the engine. The Jag was dated but rode well out in the twisty country roads. The Audi was a hands down favourite for materials and execution, but the harsh ride (brittle was used repeatedly) was thoroughly despised. Surprise! The Jag won - of course (British car mag). They placed the Audi last.
Best of all, was an interview with VAG chief Burnt Fishtrousers (Bernd Pischetsrieder). The gist of it was:
Just because a car or technology is cool, does not mean it should be built. A slam of Piech, the former chairman who was an egineer's engineer.
The GTi name and reputation has been squandered. Future GTis will be much more focused and unique.
Audi is VAG's best brand at the moment.
The Phaeton failed because it was not distinctive enough - not because of price. The top selling Touareg is the V10, and it isn't exactly cheap - but sells very well.
The new A6 and present A4 are not ideal with the engine hanging over the front axle. Look for future Audi models to have better weight distribution.
Ask buyers what they don't like, not what they want. What they want will change, but what they don't like, changes very little. Buyers cannot know what technology is in the pipeline.
07-30-2004, 10:17 AM
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But the A6 won a comparsion in Automobile, IIRC.
Don't Car and Automobile usually share articles? Maybe my recollection is off... I didn't post about the article 'cause I suspected it would have been a repost. ;^)
07-30-2004, 11:16 AM
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this comment right here concerns me...
"The new A6 and present are not ideal with the engine hanging over the front axle. Look for future Audi models to have better weight distribution."
what is he saying exactly?...I'll tell you, if i was thinking about a C6 (unless he's talking about the C5) in my near future i would be thinking twice - and maybe waiting for this new design...This can't help those coming sales
:-/
what is he saying exactly?...I'll tell you, if i was thinking about a C6 (unless he's talking about the C5) in my near future i would be thinking twice - and maybe waiting for this new design...This can't help those coming sales
:-/
07-30-2004, 12:06 PM
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A6 won comparo in latest Top Gear
against Merc, BMW and Jag. Even though the tone of the article as it rolls along doesn't seem that positive, Audi pulls it out at the end.
Yes, CAR and AUTOMOBILE are in bed together and share almost the same writing staff, sometimes Karcher does a thin rewrite of one article for the other mag.
Yes, CAR and AUTOMOBILE are in bed together and share almost the same writing staff, sometimes Karcher does a thin rewrite of one article for the other mag.
07-30-2004, 12:23 PM
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Porsche made do very well with just the opposite arrangement:-)
It's just that people don't like to see wider wheels on the FRONT of a car ;-)
Actually Audi has been working on something to help rectify the situation in the new A6. I'm not at liberty to talk just yet, but let's just say it will make some of you very very happy ;-)
Actually Audi has been working on something to help rectify the situation in the new A6. I'm not at liberty to talk just yet, but let's just say it will make some of you very very happy ;-)
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07-30-2004, 01:22 PM
#10
I thought that was part of the reason they made the car longer, to average out the weight a bit.
There does seem to be more space between the front axle and the leading edge of the front doors. The new rear bias Torsen should help too.
Also, altho Porsche has the engine hanging way out behind the car I didn't think it hindered turn in performance like having an engine hanging way out over the front end. I also wonder how much of it is a perception/marketing problem and not so much of a real issue. Do Audis really have worse steering response than BMWs? Is that because of the engine positioning or because of the steering rack geometry?
Also, altho Porsche has the engine hanging way out behind the car I didn't think it hindered turn in performance like having an engine hanging way out over the front end. I also wonder how much of it is a perception/marketing problem and not so much of a real issue. Do Audis really have worse steering response than BMWs? Is that because of the engine positioning or because of the steering rack geometry?