RE: Autoweek on quattro

["Buchholz, Steven" <Steven.Buchholz@kla-tencor.com>]

> Autoweek, April 6, page 13, says this about the Audi A8:
> 
> "...The aluminum A8 costs substantially more than the other two German
> sedans [M-B E430 & BMW 540i]. But is it worth it? On dry pavement, no. The
> extra weight of the quattro system translates into less-snappy
> acceleration
> and a rougher ride. On snow, or rain-slick pavement, the A8 would no doubt
> outperform the other two..."
> 
> Are these remarks about the quattro system's "less-snappy acceleration and
> a rougher ride" on dry pavement correct? I'm about to order my first Audi
> and would like to avoid a mistake.
> 
... if you are seriously considering purchasing an A8 then you should have
no trouble taking a test drive to see for yourself if the acceleration is
sufficiently "snappy."  I know that if I were planning to spend that much
money on a new car I wouldn't trust AutoWeek's (or any other rag for that
matter) opinion ... I'd use their findings to help me refine my own personal
evaluation.  AutoWeek rarely devotes more than a page or two to any car.  I
do find that the fact that AWD traction is so good in the dry it does make
it difficult to break the tires loose to get the motor up into the power
band on launches, making the car feel a bit slower right off the line.  The
reason I drive quattros exclusively is not for quick acceleration off the
line ... if that's what you want you can get a Pontiac TransAm with a V8
that'll dust all three of the cars you list easily ... for half the price.
I consider quattro to be an active safety feature, one that applies mostly
for rain or snow, but even to a degree in the dry.  Make sure that you also
consider the fact that the A8's aluminum space frame construction leads to a
lighter car, and that will lead to better fuel economy for a car in that
class.  

Have fun with your evaluation!
Steve Buchholz
San Jose, CA (USA)