VWs with AWD?

[Brad Wilson]

Lee M. Levitt wrote:

> Have you driven an AWD Passat yet? I test drove a wagon recently, and kept
> checking to see if the handbrake was on. The thing was dogslow *and* rather
> unimpressive inside.

I, too, test-drove a wagon, and I too was completely unimpressed performance
wise. I did think the interior was good, though; not Audi quality, but hey,
the 2.8 Passat wagon AWD is a heck of a lot cheaper than the 2.8 A4 wagon.
:)

> Also, btw, it uses the Haldex system, which is rather different (FWD biased)
> than the quattro system.

The Passat shares the platform with the A4, and as such, does not use
Haldex. The Jetta in AWD would use Haldex, though. I've told her that I feel
the difference is probably significant, but I honestly have never driven a
Haldex AWD system in a VW/Audi (here in the US, my only chance would be a
TT). Certainly, when I drove a Haldex-style AWD system in another car
(Subie... talk about super sucky performance!), I was not at all inspired.
The handling was not neutral, and it was too easy to push it over the line
(especially given the lethargic H4 engine).

Speaking of Subie, she may consider a WRX. Anybody know if that's Haldex?
I'd heard it was not, but I don't know for sure.

> An A4 won't be priced *that* differently from the Passat. Don't stray :)

Given my druthers, she'd drive an A4 too, but it's not my decision. :)

Best regards,
Brad

2000 A6 2.7 biturbo quattro   http://www.quality.nu/bradw/audi/
2 turbos, 1 driver ... no limits