Hi,<p>I should start by saying that I am a "Brand Specialist" which in Audi speak; means that I have access to all confirmed releases/updates, and drive all cars at the track - sometimes against the competition.<p>I've seen the US spec S4, and the A6 4.2 at Willow Springs during the internal TT launch. Many things are still very much up in air at the consumer level. <p>The instructors we had at the track, have driven the cars on display, and where very impressed. They said that compared to the TT, the S4 felt a little soft, but took a good set when pushed hard. The A6 had a nice subtle nasty look like the old Merc 500E. The S4 looked like it could do with being another inch lower. <p><br>We have a session in September that will be called the "performance initiative". insert evil chortle here ;-))) I'll let you know how it goes.<p>Regards,<br>April the verdego kid ( if you test drive with me, you'll know why the moniker )

 

I am afraid that I am not inclined to accept your statements at face falue.

 

Hi there,<p>Which statement ? I prefer to pass along whatever the trainers ( of which there are three for North America )at Audi tell the brand specialists. There are many specs for Audis around the world. Unfortunatly, we never get the top spec.<p>As for "Verdego kid", that is my nickname in the Alfa Romeo club. Four wheel drifts are my specialty. Vertigo - Verdego - get it ? The model of my car ( a 3.0 Milano ) was known as the Verde in Italy.<p>I am waiting for the Quattro TT, as I understand that the Haldex allows for throttle steer ;-))) Although the current Quattro is great for tracking ( and smoothness - hence speed ), it takes a great deal of in-elegant sawing at the wheel, to provoke sliding at the back end. I like the theatrics at certain times.<p>Read some of the British magazines comparing Audis and Scoobys ( Subarus ) to see what I mean. I still think the Audi is better than any other AWD car. Maybe just not as much fun sometimes.<p>There is a round-about in front of the Saab store near where I work. Fling an A6 sideways with tires howling in a full 360, and customers in the Saab lot usually applaud. Who needs a stink'in GS400 ? Hah ! If Subaru had the full boat Impreza, we'd be in trouble.<p>Until that QTR TT comes in, I getting ready to put a 290hp 4 valve 3.5l stroker from a 164Q into my 2700lb transaxle sedan. Heh, heh.<p>April<br>the Verdego Kid

 

Hey Todd...I think we found our new &quot;AudiGirl&quot;

 

I wish I had a job I loved that much :-)

 

I was dissapointed that I couldn't get the car to slide out in the rain the other night without abusing it. Those torsen diffs are looking mighty tempting!!! (ever driven a V8?) I doubt that the Haldex system is really that good. It may allow 'throttle steer' under acceleration, but apparently disengages under decel. I also hear that the 225 hp engine is shredding the Haldex in Germany.<p>Now I understand verdego, I was thinking vertigo but my Italian isn't very good. The last time I rode in an Alfa the left front strut tower came through the hood when we hit a bump, talk about rusty!<p>Todd W

 

O.K.<p>Maybe because I am used to power induced oversteer, I find the smoothness of the torsen a tad tame. Bringing the back end around on a Quattro is a ragged thing. No drama, no sense of playing Nuvolari. The usual German direct approach.<p>The only exception is the V8 4.2 that runs on "frictionally challanged" Goodyears. That thing feels like an infinetly powerful A4 on greaseballs. Have you driven one ?<p>I have heard rumors that the Haldex is under fire. Hmmmmm. See the article in the latest edition of CAR ? Talk of 300hp straight 5 cyl. in a TT. Grrrooowwlll !!!!<p>My Alfa is 12 years old, 203,508 original miles. Mildly modified. Packs about 190hp, and hits redline several times a day ( minimum ). Paint is still very shiny. <p>Went picking fights with " Rice Boys ", ( any car<br>with big wings or other go slow devices ) last night. Perhaps blasting by at 120mph took the starch out of their variable timing. No serious takers.<p>April the Verdego kid

 

<br>A center torsen would be nice, but center & rear is the path to tail-happy. 3 torsens would be the fastest on the track, but not tail-happy.<p>I really want to drive a V8, I only know of one in TX.<p>Todd W

 

I'm in full agreement with you on the tameness of the "modern" Audi's systems. As you well know, they have to appeal to the masses and the every day drivers vs. the hard core enthusiasts. <br>The majority of people on this board lean toward the latter, so there are many discussions on upgrades. I grew up driving prototype and test production Audis and VWs.....so I miss the days when they were more of the "enthusiasts car" rather than the "mass appeal" car.<br>The good thing for Audis is that there is such a wide range of options to make the modern sport-luxury car a true enthusiasts car. <br>I stayed "stock" during my warranty. It was a relative bore on the track compared to the modified Audis and the BMW M3s that I've had the opportinity to test on the track. Once the warranty was gone (I do about 70-100 miles per day in my commute) I began the systematic careful tuning to make it the "perfect" track car. The modified suspension is world's apart from the stock version and it behaves perfectly; point and shoot. I can easily get power oversteer.<br>Point is, I'm glad to have the basis of a really good car but I'm even more happy that certain characteritics that make it a little too tame can be easily changed with the virtual cornucopia of high performance upgrades available. <br>-Cathleen '96 A4qm 2.8 (non-stock)

 

Hi,<p>Cathleen,I am very glad there are more females out there who are purists. Now, you have/had the job I would kill to have. <p>I am not so interested in ultimate numbers ( although the 16v Jetta I owned for a brief while, was too slow for the amount of $ invested in a mundane car), but rather having fun. A good Lotus Seven can be a blast because everything works in concert. <p>My Alfa might not turn in the ultimate numbers, but it nudges you in the ribs constantly, and says " we could have done that corner another 5mph faster," or " whoooweee, wasn't that some slide - you are the best baby!" <p>The Audi is a little aloof when stock. Mike Zamarocy (sp?) has a very well set up fwd 1.8t. A very good example of what can be done. Feels like a tuned Quattro in most situations.<p>True, at least Audis have an aftermaket to look after them. It is a pity we don't have something to equal the 'type R'Hondas in price and volume. I believe we should not compete directly, but it seems to be missed oppuntunity to acquire a larger young enthusiast base. We need a 2002ti.<p>April