VW is keeping pretty busy getting the MKV Golf ready for it's U.S. sales debut, but with the MKV Passats development coming to an end, I think the Audi division, and A4 buyers in general, should be concerned. The fifth generation Passat is going to be pushing hard into A4 territory, offering up at least two versions of the new 3.2 litre VR6, the least powerful of which will produce
250Hp, as well as a new 2.0 litre turbo-four. This, in addition to the facts that the Passat will be avaliable with 4Motion, and that a 300+ Hp variant is in the works, with a $35-36K price tag, is most certainly of concern to me as a VW/Audi enthusiast. With the 3.0 litre, 225 Hp V6 being it's top engine (in the non-S/RS variants), the A4 will be falling behind the Passat in terms of power, as well as in terms of it's price:performance ratio. BMW's up-rated "new" 330I coupe boasts 235Hp and a 0-60 time in the high 5s, and an A4 based coupe (if one ever comes to light) is a ways off. Audi is pushing hard for mass-failure: more powerful, more competant, and less-expensive cars are coming to market everyday, the 330i sedan, and the upcoming MKV Passat may be the least of Audi's concerns.- posted
20 years ago