RE: Passat 30v V6 quattro/synchro.

["Daily,DerekSJMCG" <DDaily@sjmcb.mitsui.com>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Sargent Schutt [SMTP:sargent@novagate.com]
> It is exactly that. Quattro. 
> 
> VW is labeling it a "synchro", but mechanically it is identical to the
> quattro
> system, albeit with a longer propshaft to reach the now further back rear
> diff. 
	[Daily,DerekSJMCG]  "syncro" actually!

> Otherwise, the Passat is much the same car, though longer and with cheaper
> interior materials and details. The V6 version will have the option of
> nice
> looking wood trim. 
	[Daily,DerekSJMCG]  Ala Maxima wood inserts.  One piece on the door
handle and one surrounding the radio console and shift knob.  I personally
hate it, but the wife thinks it's alright.
> The rest are rather spartan, with cheesy mousefur material
> on the seats and softer suspensions. The suspension setup is the same,
> though
> the spring/damper rates are softer. 
	[Daily,DerekSJMCG]  Mousefur really IS cheesy.  Of course leather is
available on both the GLS V6 and GLX (luxury) lines.  But the seats lack
support.  Gti, Cabrio and Jetta seats have higher bolsters...much better.
Audi seats alone give reason to spend the extra.  Also not totally convinced
that suspension arms are the same for syncro and quattro.  Obvious the
syncro set-up is much better than the fwd passat set-up, but not sure about
A4 comparison just yet.  Pictures on passat.de if you look hard.  

> Mechanically things are much the same
> between the two, save a few mods that follow stretching the body
> (structure,
> propshaft, etc). And obvious sheetmetal differences. 
	[Daily,DerekSJMCG]  Saw a few in the UK last week.  Look pretty
sharp IMO.  Nice metallic gold one passed us during the sunny day...pretty
good looking.  Wheels are in fact the Speedline alloys as shown on current
VW brochure too.  NOTE:  only saw avant version! 
> Also, has anyone driven a chipped 1.8tq and compared it to a chipped I-5
> 20vt
> car? I'm wondering how much of a downgrade in performance exists between
> the
> two. (eg does the weight and gearing make up for the lack of power?)
> 
	[Daily,DerekSJMCG]  Did drive an unchipped S4, then 1.8tq.  Give me
the I5.  Oh, that's right people still want ~$40k for an S6 avant.  Well the
4 will do just fine then...

	Derek Daily
	90 CQ
	86 VW qsw (very tired too)