D3 report from Southern Europe
06-29-2008, 01:35 PM
#1
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
D3 report from Southern Europe
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/26081/picture_set_1_603.jpg"></center><p>
In a nutshell, an even rarer and probably more coveted bird than in US.
I've been in Italy and Greece the last several weeks, as well as a quick stop in Monaco and Turkey. Lots of A3's and A4's, an occasional A6 (C4's, 5's and 6's). Of course most motors are four bangers and diesels--1.8-2.0 FSI or TDI. The really upmarket car has a six. No chance I figured of a W12, though the car in Monte Carlo would have been the one to have it if any.
The current hot Audi here might be the S5. Seemed to be the sex machine of sorts, at least as far as your occasional male Athens driver was concerned that I saw cruising at night. Surprised me they got to Athens that fast. Briefly saw one C6 S6 on the road too.
D3's are really, really rare; no surprise in small and frugal car Southern Europe. Saw my second 4.2 in front of the casino in Monaco--the picture says it all. That pic is from right off the casino steps. Note they put the D3 front and center (black on black with not a hint of dirt) front and center, with the Ferrari off to the side and the Rolls relagated to the quasi across the street spot with the Smart car. You'll see the garden variety Porsche's in the background too. The AMG guy driving effectively the upmarket Euro taxi was relegated to cruising the streets and laying scratch to get attention. By the way, the D3 seemed to be fitted with the factory winter wheels of all things; a family member told me he saw what looked like snow tires when he was up close. Of course it was like 90 degrees. Truly a unique town.
First sighting was actually in Delphi, Greece--getting up in the mountains, near Greek snow country a bit higher up. Again a 4.2. Pre-fishmouth. Big hunkered down car on the two lane roads. Black again, with tan interior when I caught it parked on the street at first he prior evening.
Final sighting: a TDI driven for some gov't type in Naples. Italy has a somewhat laughable security system where the politico's get shuttled around with armed security--the car inevitably sticks out like a sore thumb and easy mark with limo tint, a model of car totally uncommon on the roads, guys who salute the top dog on the street, etc. Italy being a big diesel country had lots of TDI's in various Audi model flavors. If you wanted to blend in Naples, the D3 would not be the car... Nor the Maserati nor a few others I saw with the escort routine. Italian tax dollars at work I guess.
That's it: 3 total, including 900 kilometers driven in Greece (in an Opel). The Monte Carlo picture remains the best summation.
Oh yeah, gas was about $8 a US gallon equivalent in Greece, and more like $9 in Italy (June 2008).
Ciao from Venezia.
In a nutshell, an even rarer and probably more coveted bird than in US.
I've been in Italy and Greece the last several weeks, as well as a quick stop in Monaco and Turkey. Lots of A3's and A4's, an occasional A6 (C4's, 5's and 6's). Of course most motors are four bangers and diesels--1.8-2.0 FSI or TDI. The really upmarket car has a six. No chance I figured of a W12, though the car in Monte Carlo would have been the one to have it if any.
The current hot Audi here might be the S5. Seemed to be the sex machine of sorts, at least as far as your occasional male Athens driver was concerned that I saw cruising at night. Surprised me they got to Athens that fast. Briefly saw one C6 S6 on the road too.
D3's are really, really rare; no surprise in small and frugal car Southern Europe. Saw my second 4.2 in front of the casino in Monaco--the picture says it all. That pic is from right off the casino steps. Note they put the D3 front and center (black on black with not a hint of dirt) front and center, with the Ferrari off to the side and the Rolls relagated to the quasi across the street spot with the Smart car. You'll see the garden variety Porsche's in the background too. The AMG guy driving effectively the upmarket Euro taxi was relegated to cruising the streets and laying scratch to get attention. By the way, the D3 seemed to be fitted with the factory winter wheels of all things; a family member told me he saw what looked like snow tires when he was up close. Of course it was like 90 degrees. Truly a unique town.
First sighting was actually in Delphi, Greece--getting up in the mountains, near Greek snow country a bit higher up. Again a 4.2. Pre-fishmouth. Big hunkered down car on the two lane roads. Black again, with tan interior when I caught it parked on the street at first he prior evening.
Final sighting: a TDI driven for some gov't type in Naples. Italy has a somewhat laughable security system where the politico's get shuttled around with armed security--the car inevitably sticks out like a sore thumb and easy mark with limo tint, a model of car totally uncommon on the roads, guys who salute the top dog on the street, etc. Italy being a big diesel country had lots of TDI's in various Audi model flavors. If you wanted to blend in Naples, the D3 would not be the car... Nor the Maserati nor a few others I saw with the escort routine. Italian tax dollars at work I guess.
That's it: 3 total, including 900 kilometers driven in Greece (in an Opel). The Monte Carlo picture remains the best summation.
Oh yeah, gas was about $8 a US gallon equivalent in Greece, and more like $9 in Italy (June 2008).
Ciao from Venezia.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
went to wonder around Biener Audi this evening and guess what i saw wrapped in the parking lot??????
vlad2.7T
A6 / S6 (C5 Platform) Discussion
2
09-27-2006 02:33 PM