RE: A4+TT Info
First feeling I had after reading that release is how tight a leash AoA
seem to hold it's dealers on. I recall at least 2 references to "we
knew long ago" or equivalent. IMHO Came across as...don't question
us...we know what we're doing...deal with it.
1) If you happen to be thinking about an A4tqw 5spd...might want to
hurry up with that decision if you want it before summer. Already a
little tough for dealers to come up with them. (NOTE: I hate US
drivers. Come on...80% AT!?)Also see NOTE below.
2) My source read the release at the same time I did and felt the
"freshened A4" could be considered a 1999.5 model. I tend to believe it
will be a fairly significant change. Sounds pretty close to some of
those "computer enhancements" we've seen.
3) Things that sound good IMO re: A4
-New headlights ala A6. Projectors right?
-White side indicators
-Aluminum door sill trim
-Larger SR (although I may go sans SR)
-Revised cupholders (sorry ECers, but if they're going to have them
anyway, they might as well be practical)
4) Things I may not like
-TOO many changes towards A6. Pretty worried the A4 will lose its
sportiness.
-Revised grille
-Revised Rear lid
-Revised tailights
NOTE: These "GP" (General Production?) changes look seem to be taking
place pretty quickly. Week 2 seems to be the date of the new
manufacture. The release also mentions Feb and Mar as transition
months. My dealer had 0 available allocations for an A4tqw 5spd before
Jan production. This means I may NOT be able to get the current styling
if I wanted it. Soemthing you may or may not want to consider.
RUMOURS:
(I list these as rumor as I have no physical evidence of this
information).
-RE: Syncro. Sedan release delayed again. Wagon release delayed
"indefinitely". Figure it out VWoA!
-RE: S4. Told that US production slated to begin approx. March.
Judging by typical time from production to showroom as approx. 2~3
months. Looking at May-June delivery. Told allocation likely to be
similar to TT situation, i.e not very many to go around at first. Also
heard 240hp (down from 257) for US.
-RE: S6. Still thinking similar timeframe as S4. 4.2l V8 and 2.7l
V6bi-t
Anyway, thought you folks may want to know ;-)
Derek Daily
90 CQ
86.5 VW qsw