RE: Here's a letter I just emailed Autoweek RE the A4...

[Todd Phenneger <phen9461@uidaho.edu>]

Way to go,
    I have thinking about writing to EC about their newest issue.   The
problem is with the article on the 1.8 turbo converted, Beetle done my
MTM???
    They state that quote, "With 115 hp yo plsy with from the old
generation long-stroke 2.0 liter 16-valve motor, the most powerful
production beetle struggles up to 115 mph."    Well, last I checked the
new beetle has the new generation, Motronic?  Crossflow designed 115hp 8
valve motor.   The old 16 valve units put out like 120 + hp anyways.
Albeit at a much higher RPM.
    THe second is probably just a type but bothered me anyways in
concert with the above mistake.  THey state MTM as haveing multiple
tuning levels for the 1.8 turbo.
Stage 1  - 187 hp
Stage 2  - wait, no stage 2
Stage 3  - 286 hp
Stage 4  - 321 hp.
Stage 5  - 240 hp??????
Oh, and it says they dont go abave stage 2 for a FWD car due to handling
problems, well the beetle is FWD.  IT MUST be a stage 2 which I assume
has the same hp as the stage 5.

I know I am being nit-picky but in an issue basically dedicated to the
beetle, I cant believe they would mis-quote an original engine statement
like they did.  I thought it was sloppy and kind of funny.

I almost expect typos and grammar mistakes in "Grassroots MOtorsports"
but that is a different type of magazine.  EC should have more care
about that.

Just complaining.  Sorry
    Todd Phenneger
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Autoweek keeps printing the 0-60 times for the A4 as 10 seconds!  This
week's
issue is the second time they've done it, and so I fired off an email
and
thought some of you guys may like to read it.
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