Re: Marketing 101

[Chris Maresca <ckm@eainet.com>]

On Mon, 4 May 1998, Brett Dikeman wrote:

> So, basically, is consensus that a q-car with torsens handles corners like
> crap?
> 

Here's what I think:  

<SOAPBOX>

All this talk of torsen, yadda, yadda, yadda, is really just theoretical,
perhaps less so for auto-cross/track people. 

The real world truth is that none of us should ever get close enough to
the edge for it to make any difference, at least not on _public_ roads. 
And if you do, you were probably overdue for some greenery on your car
anyway. 

THAT SAID, in order to drive a Quattro fast & safe, you _*MUST*_ be aware
of the dynamics of the car, but this applies to _any_ new car (new to you
that is), regardless of make, chassis, tires, whatever.  The fact is, it
takes +/- 3 months to learn the in's and out's of a car's handling
(assuming no track time...).  Until your brain 'figures it out', you
should proceed with caution.

As far as handling is concerned, I moved from an RX7 (near perfect
balance/neutral steering, stiff as hell suspension, RWD/LSD) to a CQ
(whacked balance, huge understeer, wallows and rolls like a whale,
AWD/Torsen), and after 5+ months, can drive it just as fast (in the dry)
as the RX7.  It's not as much fun, however... but it seats five.

In the wet, the equation changes.  Except on winding roads, the CQ is
significantly more secure, faster and more reassuring.  On winding slick
roads, the tires lose grip like any other car (e.g. four wheel slides) and
you have to be mindful of the Torsen UOU, which is easily corrected. In
snow and ice, it gets me where I want to go. Period. Most other cars I
haved owned (Volvo 740 turbo, BMW 535i, Saab 900s turbo, Audi Coupe, Golf,
RX7, 944, TR6, 308GTB, Saturn, Opel Senator)  did not. Some of them you
would just leave at home if it rained, never mind snow...

BTW, I believe that the changing chassis dynamics is not unique to the
Torsen Audi's, I have felt it in other AWD/4WD vehicles.  Many vehicles
that distribute power among all four wheels seem to have this, it seems to
be inherent in changing drive ends dynamically. 

Audi's (esp. older ones)  seem to do front/rear shift faster and more
abruptly than the newer ones, but perhaps this impression is just lack of
driving time in newer cars... Also, it would seem that Audi's are driven
more enthusiasticaly than other AWD/4WD cars, which may increase the
effects... (except perhaps Porsches, which usually don't play in the
snow/rain anyway... ;-) 

</SOAPBOX>

Chris.
'90CQ