Our first encounter with Audi of America boss Johan de Nysschen couldn’t have been more uncomfortable. Here he was in 2004, fresh from Audi Japan and ready to begin his new post when I laid claim to a chair at de Nysschen’s table during an Audi-sanctioned dinner. Not more than a few minutes into the meal, the new V.P. asked those of us at the table what we as Americans thought of the Audi brand. A journalist to my left quickly piped in that Americans really knew very little of the brand other than the Unintended Acceleration debacle of ‘80s. Otherwise, the journalist concluded, he didn’t know anyone who actually owned an Audi. Welcome to America Mr. de Nysschen.

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25kgs/55lbs mean a lot more to an LMP2 car than to an LMP1 car. So the Acuras and Porsches may be as fast as they were last year in proportion to the Audis-on clear race track. In traffic, the LMP2 cars were basically crippled last year at many circuits. At Mosport last year, the Porsches lost an easy 1-3 seconds or more a lap when in traffic. And after a while, that adds up.

And against GT1 cars, things are even worse for the LMP2 cars-they don't have the power to out run them(at SLC, Corvettes were passing LMP2 cars down the straight), and the GT1 cars use the whole freakin' road to take all but the slowest corners(Super GT aero packages/power reduction would help here-more predictable cornering, but with reduced straightline speed). LMP2 cars only have the option of out-braking GT cars, or out accelerating them down short straights. At least the Audi R10 could pass GT1 cars down straightaways.

And it should be known that the LMP2 car's speed under the current regulations probably has to be to the detrement of something-probably fuel economy and/or tire wear.

That's where the difference between LMP1 and LMP2 will come to light. In 2006, the Audi R8 had to run the 2003 ACO spec air restrictor, and carry 35kgs/80lbs of ballast. And it was as fast as it was in 2005, and had the same tire wear and fuel economy. The LMP2 cars' ability to go as fast or faster this year will likey be to the detrement of fuel economy or tire wear. So the LMP2 cars will have to slacken their pace to make it a fuel mileage race, or push it, and hurt their main advantage over the Audis.

Fan of Cher and Audi

Also a fan of:
Within Temptation
Q: The only thing more emotive and piercing than the sound of V12 supercar engine?
A: The voice of Sharon den Adel(lead singer of WT)

"no one's ever going to write, "Oh, she's actually just a pretty f---in' average chick who really loves what she does." That's not gonna happen."-Kristen Stewart

selling winter tire setup 16" steelies with wheel covers IM + FALKEN sincera 828 tires me...

now: 06 GLI reflex silver manual pkg2
aspherical blue mirrors| monster mats

Of course, IMSA adopted the ACO's fuel tank reduction based on the fact that IMSA thought that the LMP2 cars couldn't keep up with Audi at most circuits. But that's where the 5% restictor reduction came in, and now that's where the 50kg/110lb weight increase in the LMS comes from. And in the LMS, the LMP2 cars have to deal with 80 liter fuel tanks too-and that's less than what the diesels use.

And it's worth noting that Audi would've won more races last year if the factory backed Penske Porsche team didn't run in the ALMS. If you're an LMS fan, and dislike the fact that LMP2 cars won't win overall in the LMS, and probably the ALMS in the future, blame Porsche! Blame them for running basically a full factory team in LMP2, where many say(the ACO, Audi, Peugeot, other LMP2 teams, LMP1 privateers, and now IMSA) they don't belong.

But at least Acura will move to LMP1 soon, and Porsche will reduce the RS Spyder program to a customer effort as soon as the end of this ALMS season. So we at least have that to look forward to.

Fan of Cher and Audi

Also a fan of:
Within Temptation
Q: The only thing more emotive and piercing than the sound of V12 supercar engine?
A: The voice of Sharon den Adel(lead singer of WT)

"no one's ever going to write, "Oh, she's actually just a pretty f---in' average chick who really loves what she does." That's not gonna happen."-Kristen Stewart

Great Interview!

Now if you had only asked him as to when we can expect either a real MMI w/ AMI and proper iPod interface in the TT or the option of the new RNS-510 hard disk nav system now in the VW products!

STaSIS Power Kit Install http://forums.audiworld.com/tt2/msgs/20042.phtml

My little car review page

I thought this was funny...

Fourtitude: I personally like DSG. I think it is great and rationally understand it. But my car has a manual transmission. I know our readers aren’t exactly… they tend to be more on the enthusiast side naturally.

Johan de Nysschen: The last time I mentioned only DSG, I got so much hate mail that I was in fear of my life.

Whoa, chill out and get out of enthusiast mode.

You seem to miss the fact that the vast, vast, vast majority of car shoppers out there aren't exactly race fans. Yes, people who follow racing knwo about the smaller tank. What Audi has to be concerned abotu are the people who don't follow racing and/or know about the regualtions. These are the people who see that the diesel Audi has to pit more than the gas cars. How are you supposed to show off how efficient a car is when it needs to stop for fuel more than the gas cars? You can not automatically assume everyone is going to do research and investigate things. My dad sells cars. believe me, most people (even in the internet age) still do very little research about new cars except for pricing.

But the problem is that everyone it's seems is supposed to play to the lowest common deominator. It irritates me that some people have to be told everything, and not do a little research on their own, especially in today's day and age.

I enjoy talking to people who have questions about stuff that they legitimatley don't know. But when someone what's to buy a vehicle, they should do a little research first. People could be conned into buying Yugos and Trabants if they don't.

Fan of Cher and Audi

Also a fan of:
Within Temptation
Q: The only thing more emotive and piercing than the sound of V12 supercar engine?
A: The voice of Sharon den Adel(lead singer of WT)

"no one's ever going to write, "Oh, she's actually just a pretty f---in' average chick who really loves what she does." That's not gonna happen."-Kristen Stewart

As for the Q7 TDI, it's hard to believe they still haven't made a decision yet this late in the game. I think if they wait until Q1 09 they are missing the bigger picture. Both MB and BMW will have clean diesels this fall (September). With gas prices at record highs, there will be high demand for diesels. Audi is going to look pretty awkward without a diesel for another model year, especially considering all the TDI marketing they've pushed for the past 2 years. All this just for a percent or two higher lease residuals? Seems pretty shortsighted to me.

Never Follow, eh? Oh yeah, I forgot, that was last year's slogan.