Audi - given up the power struggle!
11 October 2004, 10:57 PM
#1
Audi - given up the power struggle!
I saw an article in Autocar this week saying that Audi have stopped the power chase with Mercedes! Hoo bloody rah! The world is bad enough with all those twerp reps and ageing trophy wives behind the wheels of huge gas guzzeling tanks, let alone when they have 500 gazzilion horse power on an icy morning.
Audi have come to their senses and realised that more power, means more weight and that's bad for handling - "rear wheel drivers will be used to the blinking glow of the traction control light these days".
Audi want to concentrate on handling and driver enjoyment, rather than excessive power levels. Lets face it if you live in the south there's too much traffic and if you find a clear stretch then plod will be there to spoil your fun
F
PS gives us poor scoob owners a chance to catch up
Audi have come to their senses and realised that more power, means more weight and that's bad for handling - "rear wheel drivers will be used to the blinking glow of the traction control light these days".
Audi want to concentrate on handling and driver enjoyment, rather than excessive power levels. Lets face it if you live in the south there's too much traffic and if you find a clear stretch then plod will be there to spoil your fun
F
PS gives us poor scoob owners a chance to catch up
12 October 2004, 07:40 PM
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Personally I prefer e.g. 150bhp 750kg rwd/midengine cars or better still 170bhp 550kg 2wd cars, to think of a couple I've driven I'd lay decent money on the latter mixing it quite favourably with an M5 / AMG etc on most tracks (laptimes were competing with e.g. caterham R300s etc), and ~£10k on the road too 
I'd lay decent money on the latter mixing it quite favourably with an M5 / AMG etc on most tracks (laptimes were competing with e.g. caterham R300s etc), and ~£10k on the road too
12 October 2004, 10:20 PM
#7
Fun lies in the handling, not out-right acceleration. A light car with skinny tyres can be a hoot to drive and non-licence losing speeds. You probably won't kill yourself either if you stuff it when going slower either.
I know, 944 Turbo!
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I know, 944 Turbo!
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12 October 2004, 10:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Floyd
Fun lies in the handling, not out-right acceleration. A light car with skinny tyres can be a hoot to drive and non-licence losing speeds. You probably won't kill yourself either if you stuff it when going slower either.
I know, 944 Turbo!
F
I know, 944 Turbo!
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14 October 2004, 07:48 AM
#13
It all went wrong after the Astra GTE 16V. Hot hatches were getting more power and were actually getting quicker. The Astra had only 156BHP in pre cat form but managed 6.9 sec 0-60, it also topped out at 148mph or something. Fast cars after then got cats and power went up in line with weight so the 0-60 didn't improve and in some cases got worse.
Diminishing returns.
F
Diminishing returns.
F
14 October 2004, 08:10 AM
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...AND the ability to clear speed bumps, eh Craig?
Think the Astra did 138 Floyd - it was the owners who thought it did 148 probably....
Power is a necessary evil nowadays isn't it? People want toys, toys weigh a lot, power goes up to compensate, car doesn't go any faster. People want safety and refinement, weighs a lot etc etc.
Judging by it's popularity, companies can learn a lot from Renault and the Clio Cup. Semi refined, a few toys, just enough to keep people happy without making it too heavy.
Don't forget cars are getting bigger as well - the Mk5 golf is probably bigger than the original passat.....
14 October 2004, 08:21 AM
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Originally Posted by CraigH
That'd be a desirable bonus
Think the Astra did 138 Floyd - it was the owners who thought it did 148 probably....
Power is a necessary evil nowadays isn't it? People want toys, toys weigh a lot, power goes up to compensate, car doesn't go any faster. People want safety and refinement, weighs a lot etc etc.
Judging by it's popularity, companies can learn a lot from Renault and the Clio Cup. Semi refined, a few toys, just enough to keep people happy without making it too heavy.
Don't forget cars are getting bigger as well - the Mk5 golf is probably bigger than the original passat.....
Think the Astra did 138 Floyd - it was the owners who thought it did 148 probably....
Power is a necessary evil nowadays isn't it? People want toys, toys weigh a lot, power goes up to compensate, car doesn't go any faster. People want safety and refinement, weighs a lot etc etc.
Judging by it's popularity, companies can learn a lot from Renault and the Clio Cup. Semi refined, a few toys, just enough to keep people happy without making it too heavy.
Don't forget cars are getting bigger as well - the Mk5 golf is probably bigger than the original passat.....
- Not so sure about the weight thing spoiling driving - It's all the technology. There was something about the old days when you felt like you might do some damage to yourself if it all went wrong - New cars today cossette the driver so much that a lot of the fun/thrill/excitement has gone .I compare it to having un-protected sex - Much more thrilling than all those precautions (I'm not saying driving is better than sex (mind you I guess that does depend on the car / girl))
.
14 October 2004, 08:28 AM
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weight must be partly responsible? If you've got 2 identically setup (weight relative) cars, the heavier car won't be as much fun - it'll react slower, understeer faster generally etc
14 October 2004, 12:16 PM
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I saw an article in Autocar this week saying that Audi have stopped the power chase with Mercedes!
Chump
16 October 2004, 03:31 PM
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How many would sacrifice (a bit) of safety for more fun/power??
Not sure on the 0-60 figures, but my F reg Golf GTi 1.8 8v always seemed quicker than my T reg 2.5 SRi Vectra (112bhp against 167bhp), but the Vectra felt a more "solid" car.
I'd take the fun factor any day. After all, it's not every day you'll need the safety stuff, but you'll always want the "fun factor".
Andy.
Not sure on the 0-60 figures, but my F reg Golf GTi 1.8 8v always seemed quicker than my T reg 2.5 SRi Vectra (112bhp against 167bhp), but the Vectra felt a more "solid" car.
I'd take the fun factor any day. After all, it's not every day you'll need the safety stuff, but you'll always want the "fun factor".
Andy.
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