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Before you folks burn me at the stake I must
make a few more points in my defense.
To those using BTCC, etc. as an analogy, I think
you are way off. My point on handling was meant in reference to other cars
which Audi competes against in the marketplace not in all-out racing. I am
talking about driving through the twisties with other stock cars. Although
I don't know the exact rules, I would suspect that BTCC cars are much lighter,
better balanced, more powerful, stiffer, and have huge wheels and brakes when
compared to a stock A4. When dealing with lots of hp I have no doubt that
quattro will assist in transferring the power to the ground. I own most of
the Audi tapes. In Trans Am, Hurley Haywood credited his success with
being able to lay back and wait to the later part of the races when the track
was full of debris and very greasy/slippery - then he would be able to gain on
the other cars. This is different than playing with a 328i on public
streets.
I also think any analogy to the 911 is
weak. The 911 is more an icon than anything else. I wonder why
Porsche didn't add AWD to the 944t? Because it was well designed in the
first place. Adding AWD to the 911 just proves my original point -
the system makes cars more stable and acts as something of a band-aid. I
view this a positive.
For those that would like testimony from Hans
Stuck on this subject I am sorry - can't provide it. But as luck would
have it I have conferred with some guy named Hannu Mikkola - ever hear of him?
:-). August 1995 C/D review of the 1986 5TQ, page 64 under the sidebar
titled "A Few Words From the Ace" In pertinent part the sidebar
reads as follows:
As you might expect, Mikkola has had to develop
some special moves to make the most of his
450-hp Quattro Sport rally car. In terms of pure handling goodness, he
rates 4wd "WORSE THAN REAR DRIVE, but better than front drive" on dry
pavement.
Enough said :-)
Matt Pfeffer
89 200TQW - chipped
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