photos from the 2005 NYIAS press preview

[Jon Linkov]

It seems to me (personal, not my professional opinion) that Audi is really
trying to make up for lost revenue by decontenting the US vehicles all of a
sudden. I recall looking at the new (B7?) A4 specs and seeing many features
that were standard or at least part of a package with the B5 (1996-2001 in
USA) A4 are now either optional or individual options (ie, broken out from
packages). The option "packages" have fewer features in them.

FWIW...if I was dropping $117k on a W12 A8, full leather should be INCLUDED,
as should friggin wheel locks.

Oh, and Adaptive Cruise Control is the biggest waste of money in the world.
It may be great on an open, uncluttered Autobahn (those don't exist anymore,
right?), but in the USA it's pretty much impossible to use. The A8L we
tested had it (as did the LS430, S430 and 7 Series) and it's impossible to
use in any traffic. It constantly was hitting the brakes and slowing down,
because it keeps a "safe" distance between you and the car in front. But
that "safe" distance is enough room for 2 Chevy Tahoes to merge into, so
you're always slowing down.

It's probably great when going across the US and in some desolate areas. But
for $2100 it's a waste of money in CT/NY/NJ and probably most other
metropolitan/suburban areas. Regular cruise is a lot better.

Can't wait for more electronic gee-gaws that are great in the lab or on
private test tracks, but are useless in the real world!

jon