Re: British Mags, 30 Valves, and Silly Germans.

["Martin Friedrich" <Martin.Friedrich@Informatik.Uni-Oldenburg.DE>]

> 
> Bertenyi, Tamas wrote:
> > 
> > Ingolstadt but Performance Car gives another explanation. They note
> > that certain GERMAN TAX LAWS make it quite favourable to limit power
> > to 193 horses (which also explains the BMW I6's moderate power
> > increase when it went from 2.5 to 2.8 litres). Silly Germans. Can
> > anyone shed light on this? Furthermore, what are the ramifications of
> > this with respect to potential engine tweaking? Huh huh?
> > 
> 
> I also read about the 193 horse limit being an issues, thought I read it
> was an insurance classification.  The article I was reading (Automotive
> News, I think) mentioned that when the A6 gets here this fall, with the
> 30V engine, it will have 200+ horsepower.  AoA has apparantly specified
> a less restrictive exhaust and an ECU adjustment to get the HP up.  It
> didn't mention anything about that happening on the A4.  When I saw the
> info on the 30V A4 at the dealer a couple of weeks ago, it specified 193
> HP.  Maybe that's how AoA plans on differentiating the A4 vs A6 a little
> more.
> 

In the good ole days, you paid for 680 HP Jaguar Coupe the same insurance
rates as for a (relatively ) lousy 193 HP A4Q 2.8l. But unfortunately,
this isn't true anymore. Since January 1st, insurance classification isn't
based on hp anymore. Instead, all car models are classified according to
their share in damage refunds. This is based on averages on mileage, age,
area, type of car (coupe, SUV, etc. ) and other things.
For example, cars with diesel engines are considered high-mileage, thus
they had an enormous increase ini insurance rates. On the other hand,
cars known to appeal especially young drivers - old cars, and of these
especially Golf GTI,Honda CRX - also now more exensive in insurance
terms. On the other hand, new cars are cheaper now - it is reasoned,
that you treat a new car with more care.
To keep audi content, let me add, that quattros hvae grown in insurance
rates, to - their image is to "sporty".

Bye,
	Martin Friedrich