Where's Audi?

[PATRICK_KELLY@HP-Andover-om3.om.hp.com]

     Got the latest issue of Design News today and opened the packet to 
     find a special automotive supplement titled "All-Wheel Drive and 
     Beyond".  It's a group of several articles about current and future 
     all-wheel drive technology.  Except any mention of Audi and the torsen 
     based system is conspicuously absent from the whole magazine.  The 
     articles state that all-wheel drive is a growing consumer demand and 
     the increasing use of electronic controls in powertrains is making 
     smart all-wheel drive systems feasible.  There is a big article on 
     Subarus' systems and writups on Porsche, Volvo, Mercedes, and the big 
     threes' minivans and SUV's. Even some mention of systems coming from 
     other Japanese makers.  Not one mention of Audi.  It seems Audis' 
     market niche for high performance AWD systems is under attack from 
     both the car and SUV sides.  No wonder they're showing off that 
     Allroad concept car.  
     
     Patrick Kelly
     '87 5kSQ