Conference terri::cars_uk

Anyone seen the new golf shape? If not, it's a kind of mix between the 'old
golf and a citroen ZX... looks quite nice, but sure enought soon nobody will
be able to tell the difference between most cars!

    A remember looking at a recent car mag, which had pics of the new
    Golf. It is much "rounder" at the back end, and has a redesigned front. I
    can't recall much about the running gear, but I think the new car will have
    the Corrado engine and associated mechanics.
    
    Basically (as with the Audi Coupe), VAG want to get away from the
    'boxey' shapes that they had through the 1980's. Unfortunately, it is
    my opinion that they are adhering to the 'safe bet' option, rather than
    rolling out the 'radicals', such as the Audi Coupe Quattro Turbo 4wd, or 
    the Golf GTI for that matter....surely two of the undisputed greats!!
    
    John.
                                           

    the natural evolution is to improve things : size, quality, etc ...
    
    in the end the new car is big, heavy, and ... expensive. Then it's time
    to think about a new entry level ... etc
    
    The new Golf is better than the previous series in terms of size and
    quality, but it will be heavier. In order to maintain a certain level
    of performance it will need bigger engines ...

    I don't know about the cross betwene the MKII and a Citroen ZX, it
    looked more like a cross between a MK II and the rear half of the
    Corrado. 
    
    Andy

    RE.3
    
    The top of the range model will use the new 2.8 narrow angle 170BHP V6
    & 4 wheel drive.
    
    Grant

    Well what about the new Rover 220 Gti 16v, looks very nice in the
    picture.  Have they been officialy 'released'?
    
    ..Craig
    

Yes, but I haven't seen one yet. They're a bit pricey (like all
Rovers) for what they are.


ian

    Yes Craig,
    I drove one 2 weeks ago, a lady (?) I know who has a good job with the
    Pru' has one as her company car.
    
    Impressions:  (Engine still a bit tight)
    Handling, very sure and predictable, not too harsh/hard, little body
    roll.
    Acceleration, not neck-snapping (compared to a Turbo) but therefore very
    deceptive, accelerate from junction, overtake a tourist, reach a
    roundabout, "Oh my God - it's doing 95 - hope the brakes are as good",
    take roundabout (which is in a dip) at 70 in  3rd, scrape mudflaps on
    ground.
    Trim, what can I say, typical Rover plush, seats very "hugging" but I
    found the seat squabs not long enough to support the backs of my thighs
    - probably only seems that way because I drive a Granada and they have
    seats as large as 3-piece suites.
    
    
    In summary:   I want one but can't afford one on the scheme.
    
    The cars keeper (leased) said she was a bit dissapointed in the
    performance compared to her last car - a Maestro.  Don't laugh, it was
    a 2.0 Turbo. Maestros/Montegos are very underated in the performance
    stakes probably due to their "Unique" styling and the fact they're
    usually driven by ex-Allegro drivers. See this months (Sept) Cars And
    Car Conversions Mag for more gen on tuning them.
    
    Stevie

    
    re. .7
    
    This week 'Autocar & Motor' magazine has a review of the 220GTi
    and points out that for the same level of trim (electric
    windows, sunroof, furry dice etc) the 220 Gti is actually cheaper than
    the 216Gti.
    Could be Rover trying to price out the Honda engined car.
    
    Jeff K 

    A mate of mine is actually going for the 220 GTI rather than the 216GTI
    (twn cam). The reason:
    
    The 220 has elec windows as standard. the 216 twin cam doesn't !

    The 220 also has more torque, even if max-power not much more,
    therefore less gear-lever stirring.  I understand this was one of he
    main reasons for going with the 2.0 engine, although IMHO the marketing
    chaps probably had a big hand in it as well :-)
    
    Stevie

    The french M6 'TURBO' program (every Saturday 19:20) showed the
    Frankfurt  Auto Show. Views of the Golf MkIII, Peugeot 106, Audi 80
    VR6, Audi 100 AVANT, BMW series 5 Touring hatchback version, Toyota
    CAMRY, Ford Escort, Porsche 928 GTS, Porsche 968 ... were shown as well
    as a few details on Brabus, DP/RS Tuning, etc ... Nothing on the new 2
    door BMW 4..

    
    Re the BMW 4 series.
    
    Spy shots I've seen seem to suggest it owes more to the Touring concept
    than the 850i.
    
    Mark

    Anything on the new Granada Estate? I hear it was announced, and will
    be in production in Spring 1992. I'd be interested in a pointer to a
    mag with some details.
    
    Laurie.

    They showed a metal green SCORPIO estate on a rotating platform. Is it
    what you refer to ? This was a prototype, not to be seen for some time.

>>            <<< Note 1537.12 by MAJORS::REVELL "Tactile Warhead" >>>
>>             -< Would you have a Rover if you were buying it !?! >-
    
    
    	Yes I think I would, there's no comparison with  Fords current sad
    offerings.  Although if I didn't get a company vehicle I'm not sure I
    could justify any new car to myself, I think I'd probably buy a classic
    (*NOT* the Ford Consul variety !!!!) providing I was only going back
    and to, to work in it.
    
    Stevie   
    		- owner of a rusting 1974/75 VW Beetle.
    		- driver of a Ford Grandad (forced to keep for 6 more months)
    
    

    All Granadas are known as Scorpios on mainland Europe: in these offshore
    parts Scorpio is a Granada plus a lot of bells and whisles that you can
    live without, but marketing tells you you really need and which really
    hike up the profit margin for Ford
    
    There was an article and a picture of a development prototype in
    Autocar some months back (I perused it at the library), but not much
    else since........

    .19 is right; basically Scorpio = Granada
    
    I'd heard it was a prototype, but the paper I read the article in, said
    it was due out in Spring next year. I need to replace the current 1985
    Granada estate sometime next year, it'd be nice to have a Ford to look
    at...
    
    Laurie.