The comment about Audi in another thread got me thinking about this topic.

Some things that make me really question what's going on in Wolfsburg:

- A VW V6 in a Porsche SUV?
- An Audi engine in a Lambo?
- A $90,000 VW (phaeton) challenge to the A8?
- The Jetta V is getting panned for looking like a Carrola
- The Golf V (VW's bread and butter) isn't selling as well as expected & is getting knocked for looking like the Civic Si.
- There is now an Audi supercar in work to compete head to head with Lamborghini
- The Passat has already been facelifted (B5.5) and the B6 isn't due for almost two years.
- The new A6 is a bit of a disappointment, especially when compared to the new 5-series. Audi looks timid in comparison.


On the bright side for VAG:

- The R32 is now in the U.S.
- DSG seems to be well recieved
- The Touareg is doing well
- The A8 looks great (non W12)

Porsche (not really VAG, but hey), is looking healthier than ever
- The next Boxster seems to be shaping up nicely including a Boxster Coupe to go with the convertable
- The 997 does an excellent job of blending 993 and 996 features into something nice
- The Cayenne is selling very well.
- The Carrera GT expands the top end of range

So there are some positives, but the fundimental problem is still present: VW is competing against itself.

_________________
:: David Bunting :: North American Motoring :: Send me a PM ::

 

R32 ROCKS! I love this car. Silky smooth VR6 with great 6-speed transmission and 4Motion!!
I also test drove a TDI with a DSG and that thing ROCKS too! I've read reviews from
TopGear, AutoWeek, and Car where editors prefer the DSG over BMW's SMG.
-BruinToo

 

I think there was an article in the last Automobile. Upper management Audi folks were pissed off that it seemed a lot of the cars in their corporate umbrella were competing with each other.

 

I really hate that new Jetta. Very disappointing.

You did forget one positive, though, Dave. The imminent arrival of the Polo on US shores! Of course, that's only happening because the Golf has gotten so chunky...

 

Yeah, a Polo GTi could be a nice thing. :smile:

I share the same disappointment about the Golf and the Jetta having all that extra poundage. I'm waiting for the Golf VI to hit 3500 lbs.

 

Well from what I hear, VW corporate has no money to offer incentives to prospective buyers, Quality has gone down considerably. Unfortunatley the only VW's I would buy are older ones Rabbits and ealry Golfs or classic beetles and busses.

 

VAG still has some of the nicest, high quality feeling interiors around. Too bad the functionality and reliability isn't there to match
Polo in the US? sweet!
the A8 (even the 6.0) rocks the house

ditto on the WTF's - Phaeton, while nice, is redundant. Jetta and Golf are blimped out and generic/minivan/yukkie. V6 in the Cayenne? What's worse, is it'll sell like hotcakes to all the soccer mom's and faux enthusiasts.

 

I must say I used to want a VW, not I'm not so excited about it. Besides a TDI
powered car (IMHO, still well-built powertrains), no thanks... The residuals on used VW's has also fallen in the past two years

 

Among VW shortcomings, you're forgetting the Bugatti Veyron, a white elephant who's entire reason for being was to be fastest, most obscene road car ever. Thus the projected top speed of 252mph and crass efforts to justify the price tag like diamond-studded gauges.
Of course, now, they've realized they couldn't make the car work at 252mph and its top speed (assuming the car ever actually comes to market) has been downgraded to 218mph. A positively mundane figure in today's supercar firmament.

A Polo GTi would be nice, but could they redesign the front end first?

The Boxster Coupe is going to rock. And its supposed to be cheaper than the soft-top, too!

 

I am a happy (so far) owner of a '03 TDI Jetta Wagon. 20k miles so far and no problems I've seen the dealer for yet. I agree about the interior. I ordered optional leather and smile every time I get into the car.

 

The Porsche Cayenne is an absolute INSULT and SLAP ON THE FACE of true Porsche fans around the world. What an UGLY truck, has no style at all! (The VW Touareg looks miles better). Trucks have no place in Porsche showrooms, none!.


Speaking of VAG and Audi, read today's critique found in Autoextremist.com about the sad state of affairs at VW/Audi and Porsche.

http://www.autoextremist.com/


DiD: Porsche actually is real bad shape. Their sports cars sales are plummeting and the Cayenne is the only thing that is allowing them to hold on tight. there is talk of a 4 door Porsche sedan in the near future!!! The insults continue!!!

 

Porsche does have some experience with 4 doors.

Porsche 989





Audi RS2

 

>>- The R32 is now in the U.S.

The R32 is a great car, I got to ride in one and it was pretty damned fast. Theres a red one sitting at the VW dealership where I live for $31K.

The new Golf and Jetta are ugly IMO. It will be sad to see the current models go.

 

>>>>- The R32 is now in the U.S.
>>
>>The R32 is a great car, I got to ride in one and it was pretty damned fast. Theres a red one sitting at the VW dealership where I live for $31K.
>>
>>The new Golf and Jetta are ugly IMO. It will be sad to see the current models go.


$31K for a Mark IV generation souped up Golf?? Are they insane?

Look for rebates and incentives on new and unsold R32's at your nearest VW dealer.

 

I bet there are some good deals on CPO'd Phaetons in a few years time.

 

I would rather get a $30k R32 than a $30k JCW Mini. Smooth rev happy vr6 and AWD. Yeeha!
-BruinToo
>>>>>>- The R32 is now in the U.S.
>>>>
>>>>The R32 is a great car, I got to ride in one and it was pretty damned fast. Theres a red one sitting at the VW dealership where I live for $31K.
>>>>
>>>>The new Golf and Jetta are ugly IMO. It will be sad to see the current models go.
>>
>>
>>$31K for a Mark IV generation souped up Golf?? Are they insane?
>>
>>Look for rebates and incentives on new and unsold R32's at your nearest VW dealer.

 

>>I would rather get a $30k R32 than a $30k JCW Mini. Smooth rev happy vr6 and AWD. Yeeha!
>>-BruinToo
>>>>>>>>- The R32 is now in the U.S.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>The R32 is a great car, I got to ride in one and it was pretty damned fast. Theres a red one sitting at the VW dealership where I live for $31K.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>The new Golf and Jetta are ugly IMO. It will be sad to see the current models go.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>$31K for a Mark IV generation souped up Golf?? Are they insane?
>>>>
>>>>Look for rebates and incentives on new and unsold R32's at your nearest VW dealer.
>>

I always heard that the VR6 models were too heavy up front. Probably this is why the 1.8T engine is a best compromise.

 

The reports of the VR6 being nose heavy are true, but VW makes the situation worse by having their cars so softly sprung.

 

Suspension on the R32 is not similar to the VR6 GTI/Jetta models. The R32 suspension is stiffer and is the same as the Audi quattro models. I suggest you guys test drive it out before actually criticizing it. (And yes, like DID I used to drive a nose heavy Jetta GLX).
-BruinToo

 

yeah, just to clarify, my comments about the VR6 and soft springs were related to the normal Jetta and GTI. The R32 is a totally different animal, and as bruintoo says, the suspension is dramatically different than any previous MK4.

 

I sat in the R32 today at the NYC auto show, in fact, I had to go back and test it a second time. The seats are without a doubt, the best I have sat in to date. Keep in mind I am not a slim guy, so seats like Sparco Milanos & Torinos are too small for me. They are absolutely amazing. I owned a '99 GTI before my Cooper, and I was thinking test drive after sitting in this car. The body style doesn't bother me, but I am very curious about the handling, because I know my GTI was nowhere NEAR the MINI.....

 

I'll also throw in that I sat in the STI and EVO VIII as well - the VW IMO, is better built. Feels more solid. May be short on the horses compared to those two, but closing the doors on the R32 was alot different than on the STI or EVO....