Detroit Auto Show Report (got in early on a press day)
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Detroit Auto Show Report (got in early on a press day)
I had the very good fortune (a friend at GM) to get a press pass and get in to the Detroit Auto show yesterday (it opens to the public Saturday). I still have to get my *** in gear and get a digital camera so sorry - no pics... But very interesting information:
The Audi booth is the very first booth when you walk in and the first thing you see is the Avantissimo. We have all seen pics but this baby is big - a lot bigger than the S6 Avant parked close by. Got to look in the engine bay - wow, pics posted here do not do it justice - what an engine !!!!!!!!!
Speaking of the Avantissimo - there were at least 5 other concept cars that looked like literal rip offs - Saab,Merc,GM,VW(duh)and Chrysler all had this look...
The VW booth had a demo/4 person game that was used to demonstrate the 4-Motion (aka: rebranded Quattro) System that was really cool. They had a full size passat with the body removed.
At each Wheel, sticking out of the ground was a 4 foot high lever. They got 4 people to stand by each lever and then the game started. You had to work the levers with your 4 teammates to see if you could redirect power better then the 4-motion system could and it would rate you - pretty funny.
I talked to a couple of Audi factory guys (not AOA) about my favorite question - will the S6 ever make it to the US as a sedan? The basic answer was no - too close to the 4.2 and they said
(don't shoot me please I am just the messenger) that the S6 Avant sales were slower then expected.
Lastly, I thought everyone would find this quite interesting - guess what the only BMW car was that was not on dispay - I asked twice - yes the 540 was not shown this year!!! I asked why not and they said it was just not up to the standard of the A6 4.2 being shown next door at Audi!!!!!!
(ok - the real answer is that they were showcasing the 530 and had several of those instead)....
I have to be honest though, The car I most drooled over was the new A4 convertible - pictures do not do it justice - it is awesome !!!
The Audi booth is the very first booth when you walk in and the first thing you see is the Avantissimo. We have all seen pics but this baby is big - a lot bigger than the S6 Avant parked close by. Got to look in the engine bay - wow, pics posted here do not do it justice - what an engine !!!!!!!!!
Speaking of the Avantissimo - there were at least 5 other concept cars that looked like literal rip offs - Saab,Merc,GM,VW(duh)and Chrysler all had this look...
The VW booth had a demo/4 person game that was used to demonstrate the 4-Motion (aka: rebranded Quattro) System that was really cool. They had a full size passat with the body removed.
At each Wheel, sticking out of the ground was a 4 foot high lever. They got 4 people to stand by each lever and then the game started. You had to work the levers with your 4 teammates to see if you could redirect power better then the 4-motion system could and it would rate you - pretty funny.
I talked to a couple of Audi factory guys (not AOA) about my favorite question - will the S6 ever make it to the US as a sedan? The basic answer was no - too close to the 4.2 and they said
(don't shoot me please I am just the messenger) that the S6 Avant sales were slower then expected.
Lastly, I thought everyone would find this quite interesting - guess what the only BMW car was that was not on dispay - I asked twice - yes the 540 was not shown this year!!! I asked why not and they said it was just not up to the standard of the A6 4.2 being shown next door at Audi!!!!!!
(ok - the real answer is that they were showcasing the 530 and had several of those instead)....
I have to be honest though, The car I most drooled over was the new A4 convertible - pictures do not do it justice - it is awesome !!!
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Yes, A4 cab is going to be a killer
I'm reconsidering my opposition to the A4 coupe that is supposed to be on the way, if it looks as good as the cab. Still think it's too many model extensions, though - is the El Camino-style pickup next?
Makes no sense to me that the LA and Detroit shows run at the same time. Needless to say, we did NOT have the Avantissimo or get to play with the Passat. And I'm sorry, but I don't understand why the Detroit show is considered to have more status. The idea of Detroit as the car capital of America died many years ago; the West Coast is where auto action is, and they should cater to us more.
Makes no sense to me that the LA and Detroit shows run at the same time. Needless to say, we did NOT have the Avantissimo or get to play with the Passat. And I'm sorry, but I don't understand why the Detroit show is considered to have more status. The idea of Detroit as the car capital of America died many years ago; the West Coast is where auto action is, and they should cater to us more.
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I love it's looks but the only thing I don't understand is the lack of the Quattro option.
In what is suppose to be the sporty (supposedly I guess) model, it comes only fwd and autobox.
I'll have to see about the coupe....then again...the S6 keeps coming back at me.....
Mike
I'll have to see about the coupe....then again...the S6 keeps coming back at me.....
Mike
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