(Sorry for the delay, I failed to recognize the server crash and re-mail) In issue 22 (17th october 1997) of Auto Motor & Sport VW chairman Ferdinand Piech gave some new information about his ideas concerning a VW/AUDI Offroader. (...) ams: [Herr Piech] you announced an Off-Road vehicle. It it is said to become the second alluminium-body vehicel after the "three-liter" vehicele? [see also vanagon.com - news] Piech: No, it will come completly made of steel. It will be available before the year 2000 and from two brands. ams: You are talking about SEAT [of Spain] and Skoda [of czech republic]. What about VW ? Piech: That's not yet clear. Their Offroader may be completly in Aluminium, or completely in steel. We will do it in a way that all variations may work. ams: Will this model be built in cooperation with PORSCHE. Piech: We are thinking about that. A final decision has not yet been made. ams: Who suits better: PORSCHE or AUDI ? Piech: One of them. ams: AUDI intends to buld a quattro Station Vagon with a body-lift. Piech: You'd better ask AUDI about that. One thing is clear: VW is lokking for a partner. It is also clear that the models will be copletely different. ams: What do you think about the chances for SUV's and Offroaders with incresing on-road abilities? Piech: I definitely want to have a suspension fully capable for off-road use not just partly off-road. And I want a body which is similar to a limousine. The car should be even better than a JEEP Grand Cherokee. (...) My opinion is: Althogh Piech doesn't mention anything like a T5 syncro 16'' the possibility for such a vehicle is better than in any of the past five years. As long as it is not yet clear if there will be a bodywork in aluminium or steel, there is the possibility for offrod-vans as well. We all should continue forwarding our ideas to: Thomas Roennberg at: >gelaendewa@aol.com< bye for today Tom N. |
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