The downfall of Volkswagen

By San Diego
in The Neobahn

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Grand Master

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If by yes you mean no, then you're right  ;)

VW, Audi, and Porsche share parts, but they're independant companies (all owned by the same group). While I agree on sharing engines, some of their designs are much too close, and as I said before, having the A3 in America will only complicate things.

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Porsche is NOT owned by the Volkswagen Group. The Volkswagen Group owns and operates the VW brand, Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, and others.

Each division operates on its own, but there is a massive amount of sharing between them.

Audi owns Lamboghini, which falls under their direct control (ie. they decide what Lambo does, not the VW heads).

VW may have invested in Porsche, but they have no controlling interest in that company.

They do, however, share technology on a regular basis. For instance, Porsche provides braking technology and their Tiptronic brand of computer-controlled automatics to both VW and Audi.

VW and Porsche worked together to build the Touerag/Cayenne platform.

Grand Master

y0sh

Posted
Posted

Damn!

..thats why I have a beetle. :D Not copied off anything but the older version.

I don't understand this 'rice' labelling either. It's not sticker power. I'm not saying that by modifying the look, I'll go faster.. I'm just making it look more attractive. To me. If others don't like it, that's fine. I don't go around calling your car ugly.

I believe in aesthetics and to me, 'ricing'/modifying a car's look improves visual aesthetics. I like it. It gives it that unique/creativity look.

Plus, you have to admire the time/dedication/money & knowledge it takes to perform styling mods. $$$ all gone :(

Grand Master

Brandon Live Veteran

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Yes. My Passat GLS shares the same engine, drivetrain, etc. with the A4. The suspensions are different, as is the dash, badging, etc.

The A4 has a more sporting suspension overall, and the quattro is cheaper on the A4.

That said, it isn't worth the extra cash to go for the A4, at least, it wasn't for me.

You only get the difference when you get into the A6/A8 or Passat W8/Phaeton debate. Then the Audi is a better buy. Or BMW. :D

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That's not true.

The current Passat is based on the B5.5 platform.

The 96-01 Audi A4 and 97-02 Passat shared the B5 platform. They used the same engines, trannies, drivetrains, frame, etc. The B5.5 is a minor update to the bodywork around the same base platform.

In '02 the Audi A4 moved to the B6 platform. It still used the same 1.8T engine as the Passat, but began using a different V6 (3.0L vs. 2.8L). The frame and suspension are entirely different on the B6. It also has a larger interior.

There was no B6 passat.

This year Audi began selling the B7 A4. It is a revamp of the B6 platform and is clearly identifiable by the new "wedge" grille and redesigned rear-end. These vehicles use exclusively Audi-built FSI engines (2.0T and 3.2 - 200HP and 255HP).

Later this year or early next, VW will begin selling a new Passat. The new Passat will share most of its underpinnings with the Golf mk5. Engines offered with that vehicle are currently unknown. The 2.0T is a good bet, as is the 3.6L engine that VW will soon be putting in the Golf R36.

The Golf R36 is going to be AWD based on a 3.6L VR6 engine. It is unknown if this engine will implement Audi's FSI (direct-injection) technology. It has been reported to output 280-290HP.

The president of VWoA said that an R36 Jetta is "a possibility."

Grand Master

Brandon Live Veteran

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As for the Jetta V - I have mixed feelings.

I'm not a huge fan of the looks. It looks alright from the front/sides - but I'm not sure about the back. The GLI model looks nice, and I can't wait to see one in person.

The 2.5l engine is a big improvement over the old 2.sl0w which was far too underpowered for an increasingly heavy car.

The Audi 2.0T @ 200HP with FSI direct-injection will power the upcoming Jetta GLI - which will be styled similarly to the new mk5 Golf GTI.

So I'm not too huge on the new Jetta's looks... but I LOVE the new GTI. Top Gear's excellent review and choice for it as "car of the year" only reinforced that opinion.

The new Passat looks good, and it looks like they'll be throwing every little value option they can at it.

As for Audi,

I recently saw several of the new "B7" model A4s and the new A6s in person. They are gorgeous. The blue 2.0T A4 almost made me wet myself, the pricetag almost made me **** my pants. The A6 used to be my least-favorite Audi in terms of exterior styling. Now I think it's my favorite.

2005_ext_gallery7_a6sedan_lg.jpg

2005_ext_gallery9_a6sedan_lg.jpg

I look forward to checking out the A3 Sportback when it arrives.

Grand Master

Brandon Live Veteran

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Damn!

..thats why I have a beetle. :D Not copied off anything but the older version.

I don't understand this 'rice' labelling either. It's not sticker power. I'm not saying that by modifying the look, I'll go faster.. I'm just making it look more attractive. To me. If others don't like it, that's fine. I don't go around calling your car ugly.

I believe in aesthetics and to me, 'ricing'/modifying a car's look improves visual aesthetics. I like it. It gives it that unique/creativity look.

Plus, you have to admire the time/dedication/money & knowledge it takes to perform styling mods. $$$ all gone :(

585726205[/snapback]

There's definitely a difference between improving the aethetics of your car (making it look more aggressive, cleaner, more refined) vs. making it look ricey.

An upgrade to clear-corner lights, (real) HIDs, painted lowers and/or door sills, debadging, different grille... These things can tastefully add to the aethetics of a car like my A4.

I know the owner of a supercharged V6 passat with countless modifications that is absolutely gorgeous. It looks so classy I once mistook it for a Phaeton going down the road. His car actually won the Passat category at last year's Waterfest show. Good stuff. Lots of time (and money) went into that car.

Rice, on the other hand, is a huge unpainted spoiler on the pack of your FWD, slow-ass civic.

There is German rice these days... I've seen Golfs that have made me cry. But it's pretty rare.

There's also the question of what you do with the car. A huge wing (from a real racing outfit, properly mounted and probably painted) will look fine on a track car. Or maybe even if you auto-x a lot.

But for a daily driver it looks stupid.

Smaller, more subtle spoilers can usually get the job done just as well (or better). But then, that's only on cars that need it.

Mentor

Cube

Posted
Posted
Personally I like the new Polo V too.

050404polo2502.jpg050404polo2501.jpg

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are you serious? the older golf gti is wayy nicer. I swear this thing looks like a scion..

as for the phateon, its got a small market.. I mean who would pay 70K for VW when you can get a bimmer, acura, lexus, benz, or cadillac for that or less

Grand Master

Brandon Live Veteran

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are you serious? the older golf gti is wayy nicer. I swear this thing looks like a scion..

as for the phateon, its got a small market.. I mean who would pay 70K for VW when you can get a bimmer, acura, lexus, benz,  or cadillac for that or less

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Err, because the Phaeton is a nicer car? (when compared to other 70-90k vehicles)

If I were going to buy a car in that range right now it'd be a toss-up between an A8L and a Phaeton. My tendency is toward brand loyalty and the unquestionable Audi quality. But the Phaeton offers more features at a slightly lower price.

The new 7 series is butt ugly, I wouldn't even consider buying an M-B until they can remember how to put a car together properly, and the interior on a Cadillac is just garbage.

As for Acura/Lexus... I'm not very familiar with Lexus' entry in that market, but I'm not really inclined to buy an asian-made vehicle. I am, however, impressed with some of Acura's latest releases, so I might at least look at the RL, which I believe is their only offering in that range.

Mentor

+orgitnized Subscriber¹

Posted
  • Subscriber¹
Posted
I just bought an '01 Jetta Diesel w/turbo...I have to say that I think the last generation of these look the best!

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I drive a Jetta 2005 TDI and I absolutely love it. It's looks are pretty similar to the 2002 I had and I love the way it drives.

Audi's and VW's are made on the same assembly line, as are other cars from parent/partner manufacturers. My wife has the 2001 1/2 Passat 1.8T which was comparable to Audi's A4 Turbo with the damn near exact same engine in it. She simply liked the way the Passat looked better. And spending the money for a similar car just didnt' make much sense...And aside from the low amount of horses it's got in it, it really hauls arse. She's beaten plenty of cars on the road, especially the VR6 drivers that think they can hang with it. Nope. :D

Yes. My Passat GLS shares the same engine, drivetrain, etc. with the A4. The suspensions are different, as is the dash, badging, etc.

The A4 has a more sporting suspension overall, and the quattro is cheaper on the A4.

That said, it isn't worth the extra cash to go for the A4, at least, it wasn't for me.

I'm not terribly concerned with the Jetta looking like a Corolla-they all look alike in that price range to me (Honda/Toyota/VW) so who really cares?

BTW, the Passat GLS rus you what a high end Jetta would +$1,500 or so, so why not stretch for the larger/better car?

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I agree - same as what I said above your quote before I re-read it. Doh!

He's right, when you own a VW, it's a weird thing you're a part of. Either you love the comradery or could do without it. Of all of the vehicle manufacturers in the world, I'd say VW has prolly the largest following. Just look at sites like VWVortex.com, VWFixx.com, and the like. They thrive on the VW make alone. Even a small site I started 2 years ago, TNDubs.com, that tailors to a niche VW/Audi market receives over 1,000,000 hits a month. People love their VW's including myself. No matter the issues with it, it's still the most fun to drive car I've ever been in. Weird...I know.

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Yep - I had my 2002 and my wife bought me a 2005 TDI for a Christmas gift. I do plenty of driving so it's totally worth it for me. I've been getting 500+ miles on a single tank of gas, so I'm definitely not complaining there. My turbo is fast, (so long as people know how to drive it right - many people don't...) so when I need to go, it goes with no problems whatsoever. I mean, I'm not a street racer. The car is simply as fast as I need it to be (if not faster) and it gets fantastic gas mileage.

I really like the looks of mine. I saw the new V series and wasn't much for it. When I first saw the commercial on TV and saw the front-end, I thought they were going to be advertising a Dodge Neon or something. I was really disappointed. :no:

And it really is a fun car to drive. It zips when you need it to and gets great gas mileage to boot. Oil changes every 10,000 miles are also a nice change from most of the cars out there that require you to pay a bit more attention to the change interval. I'm glad I got the car when I did. I figure that even if I were car shopping today I'd still go with the same thing that I've got now; and I think that says something. Just another opinion to add to the list. ;)

Community Regular

Pacal

Posted
Posted
are you serious? the older golf gti is wayy nicer. I swear this thing looks like a scion..

as for the phateon, its got a small market.. I mean who would pay 70K for VW when you can get a bimmer, acura, lexus, benz,  or cadillac for that or less

585727938[/snapback]

Err..this is not a Golf, this is smaller...a Polo.

And I only said I like it, not that I would buy it too:rolleyes:

Mentor

+orgitnized Subscriber¹

Posted
  • Subscriber¹
Posted
how can you have downfall when you never been high?

VW are crap cars

585746562[/snapback]

Anyone can make that generalized statement about any car company they want to. Personally I love mine and my wife's car. Jetta and a Passat with no problems to speak of.

Mentor

San Diego

Posted
  • Author
Posted
how can you have downfall when you never been high?

VW are crap cars

585746562[/snapback]

Thanks for the comment. What kind of car do you drive? I could say the same thing about it. If you've had problems with one VW, does that make the 100,000's more on the road the same as yours? Didn't think so...

Mentor

Cube

Posted
Posted
Err..this is not a Golf, this is smaller...a Polo.

And I only said I like it, not that I would buy it too:rolleyes:

585729695[/snapback]

polo, golf, they're pretty much same look except I dont think they sell the polo in the US.. The older golfs are alot nicer, infact at one point I wanted one but then I saw the mini cooper s.. alot sexier

Proficient

xmr

Posted
Posted
It's only a prototype (...yet?)

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Volkswagen has just announced that the Volkswagen Microbus, which captured the imagination of the media and car designers worldwide when it was shown in concept form at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2001, is to go into production.

:rofl:

Community Regular

Pacal

Posted
Posted
Volkswagen has just announced that the Volkswagen Microbus, which captured the imagination of the media and car designers worldwide when it was shown in concept form at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2001, is to go into production.

:rofl:

585759055[/snapback]

Well if that is true, than it's good news!

It's retro-outlook makes it the best looking VW Transporter in more than 30 years.

Proficient

xmr

Posted
Posted
Well if that is true, than it's good news!

It's retro-outlook makes it the best looking VW Transporter in more than 30 years.

585759071[/snapback]

Well if you follow the link I provided that was the first paragraph on VW's site.

http://www.vw.co.uk/new_devs/microbus

So unless some over enthusiastic webmaster put it in, we should be seeing them soon :happy:

Proficient

aishiteru

Posted
Posted
That's your opinion and opinions are like...well you know.  I think they look awesome with a couple modifications.  Nothing beats the last generation R32, though. 

012__scaled_600.jpg

Anyway, this is offtopic, but why do the colors of the Firefox logo in your sig look faded?

585659666[/snapback]

looks kind of like a civic from that angle

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