[s-cars] The Audi as a Fiat

[Theodore Chen]

there was the cadillac CTS-V, which gave you the fire-breathing LS6 
from the Z06, a 6-speed, and 14" brembo brakes in a sensible 4-door sedan.
it even got a "Recommended" rating from consumer reports.  unfortunately,
it lacks the refinement of the UrS4 and it doesn't come in AWD or as
a wagon.

lincoln was supposed to have a mclaren LS with a V8 and manual transmission,
but that hotrod version was axed, and the division concentrated on marketing
the LS to traditional lincoln buyers.

too bad we never got the RS6 avant here.  we don't have many choices for
a fast wagon with AWD and a healthy dose of refinement (which eliminates
subarus and saabarus).

-teddy

--- Mike Fitton <rfitton at vt.edu> wrote:

> Freakin...well said!  I find myself eyeing modern Hondas because VW 
> refuses to bring me the Lupo GTI.
> 
> Look at what Lincoln did with the LS.  They propagandized the 
> availability of a stick when that car first came out, even though it 
> could only be had with the Duraturd V6, and then quietly removed the 
> option a couple years later...seems nobody wanted a stick in an SHO, let 
> alone in a Lincoln.  I love that I have a scrappy high-strung sportscar 
> engine in a 3800lb luxury sedan.  So inappropriate...it's great.
> 
> -Cheers!
> Mike
> 
> Steve Voit wrote:
> > S-Heads:
> >
> > I must admit that I've been lookin' this way and that at other cars,
> > thinkin' my S-car is a bit long in the tooth.  M3s, M5s, all wheel
> > E-classes, maybe even some newer Audis, although by and large the new cars
> > (neu 3's and 5's included, certainly the neu A6/S6) have taken a left turn
> > while I'm going straight ahead.  So on one hand I'm holding back and not
> > breakin' loose the upgrade money (big list) on my S but at the same time
> I'm
> > not moved by the newer cars.  What's wrong with me, I'm thinkin', why isn't
> > anything stirring my auto-passion?  
> >
> > All that changed with the Fiat Croma turbo diesel.
> >
> >  
> >
> > A recent trip to Europe re-connected me with what I love; well-engineered,
> > efficient, dynamic cars with a restrained but passionate aesthetic. Think
> > Car & Driver 10 best from the 80's and 90's, not 00's.  Driving in rural
> > italy reminded me why 'european' cars exist: 120 MPH on the Autostrada one
> > minute, tight bends and brilliant twisties the next -oops, small parking
> > spot - no sweat. While I was only behind the wheel for a few days it was a
> > cathartic experience >> showing that all the MMI's/10 cyl/perforated air
> > conditioned seats/slushbox trannies/ and other extravagant stuff was/is a
> > complete diversion from what I love in the first place, a well-designed,
> > dynamic, hands on, tactile car.  The new euro hardware featured in the US
> is
> > fascinating, but it's a solution to a problem I don't have and don't value.
> > For every A8 with over-the-top technology that product planners know we'll
> > love in the US, Audi sells 50 A3 3 doors at home, any one of which I'd
> > rather have.  We no longer get what I perceive as 'european' cars here in
> > the states (OK, Canada too, Dave), we get their high-end wretched excess
> > collection.  This shift toward high-end product is a defensible business
> > move, I suppose, but it's leaving me behind. (and opening opportunity for
> > others)
> >
> >  
> >
> > After 3 weeks away I savored being reunited with my car, and did so
> > thoughtfully.  I liked the way it smelled, the super comfortable and
> > functional interior, the perfect size, the smoothness and power, the
> > steering/shifting/braking - and I loved the fact its over 10 years old and
> > 'only' has a 2.2L motor.  I love the turbo surge, thinking about upgrades,
> > keeping it 'new', and I love this silly list.  These reasons are why I
> > bought the car in the first place and why I'll proceed with the upgrades,
> > fun, and headaches.
> >
> >  
> >
> > These cars are not for everybody, and turnover on this list is high enough
> > to suggest that not everyone finds the experience to be to their liking. 
> So
> > while old M3's catch my eye they only have 2 doors.  The old M5's are very
> > cool, but no all wheel setup.  Wish I could get a manual in an MB sedan big
> > enough for my 6'6" frame, but I can't.  And none of these cars have the
> > community and tune-ability upside of the S-Car.  Call me a sucker but I'm
> > re-upping my slippery slope club card - and I promise I'll drive in Europe
> > before making any future replacement decisions.
> >
> > Steve, goin' with the flow but not yet sick enough for the S-fest frenzy,
> > from Seattle, V.
> >
> >  
> >
> >  
> >
> >  
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > S-CAR-List mailing list
> > S-CAR-List at audifans.com
> > http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/s-car-list
> >
> >   
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> 


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