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SPYSHOT: Audi A3 on the drawing board


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chewychewy - 5/24/2006 10:53:03 PMView My AgentSpace
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It looks like they misplaced a set of doors. It looks good, but it needs four doors.

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Matthew1Matthew1 - 5/25/2006 2:10:13 AM
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I disagree. If this were to be a ladder-frame, truck-based SUV, then I would whole-heartidly agree with you.

The fact is, this is a monoquoque, car-based SUV, so has good road manners and cars levels of efficiency. Think of it as an A3 with beefier dimensions.

Yes, I think the general public is too SUV obsessed, but the Q3 is hardly going to ruin your life.

I also think it looks very snazzy.

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JUGNUJUGNU - 5/25/2006 3:18:07 AMView My AgentSpace
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Looking good,but yeah it needs four doors.
The infinti FX's front lights are looking good,but the rest of the body is VW Concept A.

I think instead of VW,the Audi is working on the concept/project of VW Concept A.
And's It's good too,I think Audi is making the good use of the concept and also can do better job than VW.


JUGNU


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JUGNUJUGNU - 5/25/2006 3:18:07 AMView My AgentSpace
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Looking good,but yeah it needs four doors.
The infinti FX's front lights are looking good,but the rest of the body is VW Concept A.

I think instead of VW,the Audi is working on the concept/project of VW Concept A.
And's It's good too,I think Audi is making the good use of the concept and also can do better job than VW.


JUGNU


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DaytonDayton - 5/25/2006 4:52:00 PM
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What's the deal? Can't find anything wrong with an Audi, so you mention the golf?

Great argument.

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joeycjoeyc - 5/25/2006 8:29:11 PM
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Tito... have you driven the new Golf GTI on which the A3 platform is based on, or better yet, the A3? It is quite good, enough for the GTI to win over 20 awards in Europe for its handling and performance. The 2.0T FSI in the GTI has won Engine of the Year second year in a row. The Golf is nothing to be ashamed of.

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Anim8orAnim8or - 5/25/2006 8:37:15 PM
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Audi platforms.

The Audi A3 is the last of the Audi models that is based on VW architecture. All other models from the A4 up are built on Audi designed platforms (yes, the A8's D3 all-aluminum platform was designed by Audi. It was then sent to another VW factory which downgraded it to steal for Phaeton manufacturing).

Audi's new modular platform will host all models between, and including, the A4 and A8. The A3 and next-gen TT will be added a few years down the road. The first model built on this technology is next year's A5.

The new TT, which went into development too early to be included with Audi's new modular architecture project, is loosely based on the Golf platform, but is so thoroughly redesigned to be comprised mostly of aluminum and possessing a far more advanced suspension that it's essentially its own platform.

The Q7 was a joint platform development project between Porsche, Audi, and VW.

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Anim8orAnim8or - 5/25/2006 9:38:14 PM
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Incorrect.

Audi engineers were used to help develop the platform, particularly the suspension and drivetrain.

Any other comments (of arguable maturity) that are directed personally to me are of no interest or relevance.

Stop being so so insecure.

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chewychewy - 5/25/2006 10:13:05 PMView My AgentSpace
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Where did you guys get the profit per car data, I have never seen data like that before???

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Anim8orAnim8or - 5/25/2006 10:49:04 PM
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Don't take anything Nate says with any import. It's best to just ignore him.

False data aside, Audi's do actually cost slightly more to manufacture than BMW's. This is because Audis are made with higher quality materials, and a superior level of build quality and safety. Just look at Europe's latest reliability and safety scores,: Audi is in the top ten while BMW not. Of course Merc is dead last.

Just sit in a BMW and then an Audi and you'll know what I mean. The A8's chassis for example is made entirely of aluminum and its interior boasts the best materials and workmanship in its class. That extra level of workmanship and material cost means less profits for Audi.

I certainly don't care as a consumer to pay the same price (or less in NA) for a car that is built to a higher degree of quality. Let Audi make less money!

But seriously, what Audi is doing to cut costs is design an exclusive modular approach to building cars (as I described in a previous post). When in full swing next year, Audi profit margins are projected to increase substantially. Probably never to Porsche levels but certainly will match or surpass BMW. And remember, Audi models are already very profitable.

If you look at Audi's business model, it's quite brilliant: Slowly and methodically build up world-class technology and a complete model line over the course of 15 years. Using VW as an initial investment pool then breaking off in 2000 to form an independently run car company. Initial lower margins and massive investment mean better cars higher consumer satisfaction, bumping off the competition one model at a time.

The first ten years has shown cars like the A8 and RS4 that are at the top of their class. The next ten years will reveal much higher ambitions with cars like the rear-biased, evenly weighted, DSG equipped 300 bhp A4 that are designed to rival BMW's core revenue stream: the 3 series.

Brilliant, and exciting.


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chewychewy - 5/25/2006 11:57:06 PMView My AgentSpace
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Nate, again, where did you find that Audis have 40% less profit than BMW. If that was true, Audi would be the worst manufacturere ever. Can you please show me the data, or did you just pull it out somewhere?

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ThaR8DonThaR8Don - 5/26/2006 2:28:22 AM
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Nate not too much to say cause it's not worth much time but Audi revenues are only Audi's, not all brands under that umbrella. Just to get your facts straight Audi sold 800,000 + vehicles world wide where as BMW sold just over 1,000,000 world wide which includes any and all brands they own eg BMW, Mini, Rolls and so on. Secondly BMW does not have more money than Audi as Audi is part of a parent company called VW which you seem to forget out bid BMW by a couple 100 million dollars for Bentley and BMW only got Rolls because the family felt bad since the already had a deal with BMW when VW put their pimp hand down for the company. And for the others yes Audi and VW share some components however Audi operates as a seperate brand, more so than Lexus does with Toyota. Also just for the record the VW and Porsche SUV's only share 15% parts with the Q7 while MB whores out the entire E class for the CLS, the 300C, the Doge Charger and the Dodge Magnum. And who ever said "but MB and BMW are more famous" is lame. So, just cause more people herd of you does not make you any better!

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ThaR8DonThaR8Don - 5/26/2006 2:31:24 AM
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Good point Chewy. Oh and for the record before some smart azz tries to correct me I know MB does not use the entire E class in those other cars but it is a vast majority compared to 15%.

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lewissalemlewissalem - 5/26/2006 11:09:41 AM
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..of this entry. I have heard nothing about Audi building a Q3. We know about the Q5, and the VW Marrakech, but I be careful about believing this one.

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Anim8orAnim8or - 5/26/2006 1:28:45 PM
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I love all the desperation and insecurity from BMW-biased fans.

It's a tell-tale sign that they are very, very threatened by Audi.

I love it!

Anyway, as an Audi driver, I actually really appreciate BMW for its performance focused driving dynamics that don't compromise too much relative comfort. The 3 series deserves its success (well at least the 330i). I have owned BMW’s in the past. I simply switched to Audi recently because I felt they made superior cars. It’s quite a common trend you know.

Point is, the modern upper-end luxury car business is a complex, dynamic, and ever changing animal. One brand no longer dominates the industry.

BMW and certainly Merc are no longer #1 in every category. And we have Audi to thank for that.

The facts are in plain site: As of 2003, Every new Audi model released rivaled sales of both BMW and Merc in Europe.

It's a steady, methodical approach that is scaring the hell out of BMW, and especially the debt-overrun Merc. Next phase: conquer America.

In the end, we'll all have some great tier 1 choices, both from BMW and Audi.

Audi drivers understand this, and since they know that Audi makes superb class-leading cars, they are not scared or insecure about competitors.

It seems that many BMW fans (and I will not call them drivers because their maturity levels say otherwise), are too insecure and threatened to accept Audi's obvious successes.

Fact is, Audi is already #1 in many categories in terms of safety, reliability, performance, handling, and yes, sales as well. Especially in Europe.

BMW still makes great driving machines. It's just that Audi also makes great driving machines, and many of them are actually better overall cars.

Then again, it’s kinda fun to read the fear-induced whimpering from terrified BMW fans.

Whatever. Life is good. Gotta get back to it. I suggest others here do the same, it might alleviate your computer-addicted depressive behavior.

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Anim8orAnim8or - 5/26/2006 6:15:32 PM
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Audi platform breakdown:

Audi A3: Built on the new VW Golf platform.

Audi A4: Built on the Audi-exclusive B7 platform.

Audi A4 Cabriolet: Built on the Audi-exclusive B7 platform.

Audi A6: Built on the Audi-exclusive C6 platform.

Audi A8: Built on the Audi D3 platform. VW then used part of the this platform for the Phaeton. Although Audi wouldn't allow VW the use of its all aluminum ASF technology.

Audi Q7: Built on a platforrm jointly developed by Porsche, Audi & VW.

Audi TT: Built on Audi exclusive 69% aluminium ASF A4 platform. (Audi initially started with the steal VW Golf platform, but they changed it so much it became its own platform).

Even though platform sharing is good economics, most of Audi's cars nevertheless are built on Audi-exclusive platforms, not shared by VW.

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joeycjoeyc - 5/26/2006 7:08:18 PM
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This reminds me of a friend I know who only buys BMWs and Mercedes, but won't even step into an Audi showroom. He knows absolutely nothing about cars, doesn't read car mags, doesn't talk about them. He only buys BMWs and Mercs because they are "famous" and makes him look "wealthy". Tito and Nate (probably the same person) remind me of this guy.

I've owned 4 BMWs (318i, 325i, X5, X3) and 3 Audis (TT, S4, A3) over the past 10 years, and overall I prefer Audis.

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Anim8orAnim8or - 5/26/2006 9:01:46 PM
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RS4 vs M3 CS on Fifth Gear.

Check out the latest 5th Gear. It pitts the RS4 against the recently updated M3 CS.

It's a great watch. Both cars are based on pretty old platforms (RS4 is actually based on the 2002 Audi A4, and the M3 Cs is really based on the 2000 3 series), but both cars had some awesome new technology jammed in.

Of course the Audi wins, both in straigh-line acceleration (the RS4 was several car lengths ahead of the M3) and around the track. But the BMW did score higher points in power sliding (10/10 against Audi's 9/10).

The verdict: Nothing can touch the winning Audi. However, the BMW's more difficult-to-control handling was deemed slightly more fun.

Both great cars.

of course, I'd get the RS4.

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PlanoA4PlanoA4 - 5/30/2006 2:22:53 PM
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Funny how you guys lurk in the Audi posts. I guess an inferiority complex has set in because you are always here and I really don’t see your posts in the BMW.

Envy is a hard thing to control isn’t it guys?

Before you two make your ignorant VW comments you need to read up, you make fools of yourself each time you incorrectly refer to them. It would be as silly as me saying BMW makes a competent AWD version of the 3 series. The only thing worse is the aging G35.


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PlanoA4PlanoA4 - 5/30/2006 4:30:44 PM
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In the twisted world according to Nate. If it sells more then it must be better. Lets see what the Germans actually say about that.

April 2006 Sales in Germany

Model Sales
BMW 3 10330
Audi A4 7639

Audi A6 5231
MB C Class 4662
BMW 5 4043

Audi A8 421
BMW 7 376

Audi Q7 865
BMW X5 519


Overall BMW/Mini combined with more models is:
96,673 or -3.408% Vs Last Year

Audi
81.803 or +3.499% vs Last Year

Source: http://www.autobild.de/aktuell/meldungen/artikel.php?artikel_id=11357

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