Quote:
Originally Posted by GuidoK
Audi is also slowly ditching the torson quattro based system and replacing it with a computer controlled clutch diff...
In the year 2000 audi didn't have a SUV. In 2006 they introduced their first suv (Q7). The bmw X5 was introduced in 1999, so if it was lagging behind it was on range rovers, mercedes ML or US branded SUV's
I don't know if its lagging behind. The x5 isnt a true off-roader, so on that it won't score any points, but in that time it was far out superior on normal road conditions compared to what else was on the market back then. Back then suv's where usually off road vehicles with luxurious cabins. Ladder chassis, sometimes solid rear axles etc etc. Everything you want in the terrain and none of it you want on the road. The x5 was imho the first real suv for the road and pretty much defined that segment. The mercedes ML was introduced earlier, but imho didnt focus enough on that segment. Mercedes obviously has a very rich off road history (G class, various army vehicles, unimog etc), and the ML sort of focussed on that heritage imho where the X5 completely focussed on an on road car.
|
That's ashame. Audi also calls its computer controlled system Quattro so people will get confused.
I had to look up the year AWD was introduced. Audi first introduced it on the original Audi Quattro back in 1980 and its been an option on most models ever since. The A4 was introduced in 1995 with quattro. BMW didn't introduce xdrive until 2001 for the 3 series, but they did have it on SUVs before Audi even had an SUV. I'm glad I got to do some research on this - learn something new every day.
By the way, the Jeep Grand Cherokee was the original SUV made for the road with creature comforts such as leather seats and auto climate control. My dad bought one in the early 1990's before the X5 came out. I remember it cost over $30k so they were not exactly cheap for that time period either - IMO it was just as nice as any entry level German car of that time period.