[urq] Re: Audi's Future

[Huw Powell]

> Maybe somebody can shed some light on something for me. WHY was the
> Urq $35,000? The 4000q has basically the same drivetrain other than
> the turbo engine, right? Was the turbo engine really worth a $28,000
> premium? I mean both are typ85 cars with quattro. It's not like the
> body was that much more expensive to make, they made the CGT which is
> essentially the same body without flares for less than the price of a
> 4000q. 

Let's start with what a 4kq and coupe cost, to see what that premium 
actually is.  Start with 35k - 28k = 7k.  4kq's definitely were *not* $7 
new, ever.

My '82 coupe, with no options except A/C, was $16k.  My old boss's '85 
4kq, pretty much loaded, was $20k.

So the "premium" is in the $15k to 19k region, and I'd rather use the 
smaller figure, since I suspect a $35 UrQ had leather, power windows, 
heated seats, etc.

And a turbo engine system that was not in any other car, along with a 
fistful of body and other components that were unique to this, as 
someone pointed out, much smaller run car.

Still seems like a lot, but if these are *US* prices specifically, keep 
in mind that Audi had to crash test cars and build a unique bumper 
system for what turned out to be an export figure of around 800 cars 
over a few years.

So while the "premium" seems high, it probably made sense.

-- 
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi

http://www.humanthoughts.org/