RE: In the Market for an A4Q

[Peter Henriksen <peterhe@microsoft.com>]

Have a look at the new european car - there's a writeup on their long
term A4q. They absolutely love the handling to death.
- peter, peterhe@microsoft.com, issaquah, wa, usa
  91 200qw
  94 acura legend gs
  80 mazda 626


>-----Original Message-----
>From:	dan_masi@MENTORG.COM [SMTP:dan_masi@MENTORG.COM]
>[snip]
>
>> Second, and more importantly, is handling. The reason we're
>> considering an AWD is because our Integra has a habit of
>> slipping out from under us in wet conditions. I've read the
>> posts, and all are agreed that handling is vastly improved
>> over a FWD with the Quattro system. Why then are the
>> roadholding (sometimes referred to as lateral acceleration)
>> specifications typically below the average car? Motor Trend
>> online rates the A4Q at .80g, which is very low compared to
>> other cars (including the Integra!).
>
>I'm sure you'll get a better and more specific answer from
>someone else.  I'll just say that "handling" is something that's
>difficult to pin down, and is much more than just a static
>measure of maximum lateral acceleration.  Someone here just
>recently was talking about AWD being superior in throttle
>transitions, as the sudden application (or deapplication)
>of power is spread to 4 wheels, lessening the tendency
>to break loose.  Another example is torque-steer... drive
>even the non-quattro A4 next to the Integra, and apply
>power during turns.  The A4's revolutionary new geometry
>up front all but eliminates any torque-steer.
>[snip]