Re: VW-Volvo Merger?

["Douglas Hurst Quebbeman" <dougq@iglou.com>]

> As to the rumor that Audi just wants to sell Cosworth, I hope they don't!
> Imagine the engines we could get in the next generation of Audi's if they
> come from Cosworth! Hell, that engine was even able to turn a mundane
> Escort into a screaming Rallye Car!

I'd have mixed feelings about Audi using Cosworth engines.

When VW bought Auto Union from Daimler-Benz and reactivated the Audi marque, 
Auto Union was building only 2-cycle engines of its own design; they had an
Otto-cycle OHV engine designed for them by Mercedes. They pressed this into 
service in the Super 90, then the 100LS. Later, they started to investigate
their own OHC designs by first reengineering the OHV block into an OHC. Next
came the 1.3 liter version of the familiar 4-cylinder block which eventually
was reengineered into displacements of up to 2.0 liters (did it go larger?).

If technology is Audi's forte, then engine design is where they enjoy their
greatest success. So I'd rather not see the waters muddied by a mix of the
two.

OTOH, I always lusted after, but could never lay my hands on, a 1975 
Chevrolet Cosworth Vega. The Vega was an overall disaster, but it handled
very nicely, very crisply. I'd have loved to have had one with more power
(and an engine that would last!)

Just my opinon, fwiw....  -doug q
--
-Douglas Hurst Quebbeman (dougq@iglou.com)       [Call me "Doug"]
    QuattroClub USA# 4536     Audi International # 100024
       74 100LS Auto,     84 Coupe GT 
       77 100LS Auto,     86 5Kcstq QLCC 1.8bar  
"The large print giveth, and the small print taketh away."  -Tom Waits