Date:         Thu, 30 Oct 1997 18:28:30 UT
Reply-To:     Thomas Niksch <cct_tom_niksch@CLASSIC.MSN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From:         Thomas Niksch <cct_tom_niksch@CLASSIC.MSN.COM>
Subject:      <4WD VW/AUDI> interview with VW chairman Ferdinand Piech in
              >auto,motor & sport <

(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.