ULP
06-01-2007, 12:51 PM
Dear All
You may have seen this weeks Autocar and the proposed new Audi A1/A2. Also in the magazine is an editorial from a chap called Jay Nagley on the success of the new car based on the failure of the old one. If he has driven or been in an A2, then he has been to a few more cocktail party launches since then than is healthy, judging by the muddying of his mind.
Accordingly, I have fired off an email to Autocar with a response and offer. I have referred to the club, but I didn't put a link to the web site as I wasn't sure whether this is the right thing to do. However, the contents are:
Dear Sir or Madam:
It is disappointing that Mr. Nagley has utilised poorly researched terminology in relation to the departed Audi A2. I quote:
"In fact the A2 failed because it was badly executed, not badly conceived...young buyers just saw an expensive, frumpy hatchback that only had four seats".
Jay is incorrect. The A2 failed because of the price and Audi's non-existent marketing. The product is brilliantly executed, as members of the A2 Owners Club will testify. It drives well because of inherent lightness in the aluminium structure and is a fine family vehicle with plenty of interior space and comfort to satisfy four or five people and their luggage. I have driven a number of Audi A4's and an A3; my A2 TDI SE beats them all for steering feel and dynamics - "added lightness" is how Colin Chapman would have put it and I never tire of driving my car. Lighter car makes for smaller engines then smaller brakes and lighter suspension etc. The car should probably have been marketed as a Mk1 A3 5dr, a car which it is actually bigger than inside - in this context it is also reasonable value.
If only having four seats (oh, and mine has five) is a restriction to the success of a premium hatch for young buyers, then perhaps Jay should be aware of a product by MINI which is only a 2+2 at best yet doesn't seem to be discriminated against by this demographic. Frumpy looks are subjective, but the number of positive comments I receive, many from strangers, suggest people like A2's.
If Jay would like to actually drive an A2 whilst meeting some A2 Owners Club members who come from a large and varied demographic, then he is more than welcome to contact me and come to one of our meets.
As for the new A1/A2 - warmed-over Mk4 Golf mechanicals and MINI-like interior space. Mmmm, tasty. Just like yesterday's cold gravy...
Regards
Chris Todd
Let's see if this makes it my fourth letter in Autocar - I suspect not :)
You may have seen this weeks Autocar and the proposed new Audi A1/A2. Also in the magazine is an editorial from a chap called Jay Nagley on the success of the new car based on the failure of the old one. If he has driven or been in an A2, then he has been to a few more cocktail party launches since then than is healthy, judging by the muddying of his mind.
Accordingly, I have fired off an email to Autocar with a response and offer. I have referred to the club, but I didn't put a link to the web site as I wasn't sure whether this is the right thing to do. However, the contents are:
Dear Sir or Madam:
It is disappointing that Mr. Nagley has utilised poorly researched terminology in relation to the departed Audi A2. I quote:
"In fact the A2 failed because it was badly executed, not badly conceived...young buyers just saw an expensive, frumpy hatchback that only had four seats".
Jay is incorrect. The A2 failed because of the price and Audi's non-existent marketing. The product is brilliantly executed, as members of the A2 Owners Club will testify. It drives well because of inherent lightness in the aluminium structure and is a fine family vehicle with plenty of interior space and comfort to satisfy four or five people and their luggage. I have driven a number of Audi A4's and an A3; my A2 TDI SE beats them all for steering feel and dynamics - "added lightness" is how Colin Chapman would have put it and I never tire of driving my car. Lighter car makes for smaller engines then smaller brakes and lighter suspension etc. The car should probably have been marketed as a Mk1 A3 5dr, a car which it is actually bigger than inside - in this context it is also reasonable value.
If only having four seats (oh, and mine has five) is a restriction to the success of a premium hatch for young buyers, then perhaps Jay should be aware of a product by MINI which is only a 2+2 at best yet doesn't seem to be discriminated against by this demographic. Frumpy looks are subjective, but the number of positive comments I receive, many from strangers, suggest people like A2's.
If Jay would like to actually drive an A2 whilst meeting some A2 Owners Club members who come from a large and varied demographic, then he is more than welcome to contact me and come to one of our meets.
As for the new A1/A2 - warmed-over Mk4 Golf mechanicals and MINI-like interior space. Mmmm, tasty. Just like yesterday's cold gravy...
Regards
Chris Todd
Let's see if this makes it my fourth letter in Autocar - I suspect not :)