Audi SUV/A5

[Mike Arman <armanmik@n-jcenter.com>]

I've been watching the progress of the A5/SUV thread.

I think this is a bad idea (Nomex on!). Reason: Audi 4 wheel drive engenders
confidence and a tendency to drive a little faster, especially on curves.

Unless Audi can repeal ALL of the laws of physics, shortly after the A5 SUV
is released, we will have a plague of rollover accidents because
enthusiastic, confident Audi drivers are stuffing their top heavy, tall SUVs
into curves at speeds that are just too high for top heavy, tall SUVs.

Further, this type of vehicle is very sensitive to crosswinds and gusts. The
reason for the reasonable safety record of SUVs here in the US is the
comparatively low speed limit. These vehicles work OK at 55-60, or even 65
MPH, but if you go much faster, become a real handful - aerodynamics of a
large brick, ya know? (Now add bad, windy, wet weather, plus an SUV-load of
yelling kids and a distracted yuppie-mommy secure in the idea that her
all-wheel-drive up-market expensive Audi SUV can handle anything and she's
invulnerable!) (No stereotypes intended - just observation.)

Next stop is 60 Minutes: "Audi is killing America's children - Round Two!!!"

Not that any of this will affect Audi's corporate decision-making process
anyway - we already know they don't listen to their customers!

Audi Anyway,

Mike Arman