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Written by MotorHead
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Thursday, 28 May 2009 |
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This year's Effort was not at all exciting. Once again we headed down to the Javis Center packing our digital cameras and note pads, but there just wasn't anything of note. That's unless you wanted to get all excited about the Camero, yeah but that was here in 08, so too for the Corvette ZR1 . 
There were no Maseratis or Ferraris to be seen, so I didn't get to drool all over the new California (which you know I think is a very appealing ride). No Aston Martin One77 or 4 door Porsche or Lambo. Of coarse there was the assortment of new plug-ins (the Fisker Karma looked pretty sharp) and at least the Honda Clarity made an appearance. But all in all, it was a disappointing show. That was until you got to the Audi stand.
The introduction of the supercharged V6 with a 7 speed dual clutch semi-auto transmission (S-tronic) into the S4 and S5 Cabrio just gives me goose bumps. Also the new TTs just screams to be driven. My only question is why didn't audi opt for the convertible-coupe when dropping the A4/S4 Cabrio to introduce the A5/S5 Cabrio instead of staying with the ragtop. In Audi's defence they have improved sound and weather insulation, with a put-down time of only 14 seconds. After all aren't convertible ment to be driven with the top down? When I put the BMW M3 Cabrio next to the new Audi S5 Cabrio I see a much more desirable car in the Audi. Interior, exterior design and finish on the Audi is a lot more appealing even if the Beamer has the edge on performance, I still like the Audi's quattro sure footedness. Both now with dual clutch semi-autos, which to me is something other auto making are just dropping the ball on.
Before moving to New York 7 years ago I drove 5 and 6 speed manuals most of my life. Something anybody in there right mind wouldn't do in New York traffic. However the power loss and lag through the gears with a traditional automatic transmission just doesn't do it for me. I must confess the 7 speed Mercedes auto transmission is nearly flawless and the beamer 6 speed auto also comes close, but I doubt that it will remain that way after any serious road time.
Borge Warner designed and built this exceptional revolutionary DSG transmission that we now see in VWs and some Audis. Mitsubishi built their own in the EVO 10 MR and so did Nissan in the GTR. So did Ferrari in the California, Porsche in the new Boxter S and BMW in the M3 and new Z4.
If you're going to build a sports sedan for the 21st century it definitely needs a dual clutch transmission. Why the hell there isn't a dual clutch transmission in the new Corvette, Mustang and Camero fringin beats me!
In fact now I think of it, why the hell hasn't Audi made S-tronic transmissions an option in the A4 and A5 models?
If you not sure what I'm on about go test drive a VW R32, BMW M3 or an EVO 10MR, or the new 2010 Audi S4 when they show up this fall. Then you'll understand what I mean – An automatic gear change without power loss or hint any lag – sweet!
It certainly makes you wonder with all the trouble the US auto industry is in what the future holds for motoring. I'm not all that convinced that gasoline-electric hybrids are the immediate best alternative to 6 liter V8s. Surely there's some middle ground still to be explored. Europe seems to be adopting clean diesel gas-misers and they offer respectable performance and a better carbon footprint to manufacture than most hybrids.
 Surprise, surprise still no Alfa Romeos insight. Their return to the US now postponed to 2011, maybe. Could somebody import some Brera and Spider V6 Q4s. They'd be snapped up in no time.
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