Germany
Audi has canned the historic 80 nameplate after 22 years for the launch of an entirely new compact executive saloon - the A4. Available as a four-door saloon (with "Avant" estate versions to follow), with engines ranging from a relatively underpowered 1.6 to a swift 2.8 V6. There is also an impressively refined and quick 1.9 turbo-diesel which produces more power than just about anything else with a similar capacity.
Volkswagen has finally launched an all-new Polo, 13 years after the second generation version went on sale (though it was facelifted four years ago in 1990). The new Polo is based on last year's SEAT Ibiza, using the same chassis. Power comes from the ageing 1.3 unit as well as a 1.6 from the larger Golf, though the older engine will soon make way for the Ibiza's 1.0 and 1.4 engines as well as a 1.9 diesel (turbo or non-turbo). To cater for markets where hatchbacks are less popular, Volkswagen will also be selling the Polo as a saloon and estate. The hatchback is at long last available with five doors, which finally puts it on a level with the likes of Opel/Vauxhall, Fiat and Peugeot.
Read more about this topic: 1994 In Motoring
Famous quotes containing the word germany:
“We are fighting in the quarrel of civilization against barbarism, of liberty against tyranny. Germany has become a menace to the whole world. She is the most dangerous enemy of liberty now existing.”
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919)
“The tears I have cried over Germany have dried. I have washed my face.”
—Marlene Dietrich (1904–1992)
“It took six weeks of debate in the Senate to get the Arms Embargo Law repealed—and we face other delays during the present session because most of the Members of the Congress are thinking in terms of next Autumn’s election. However, that is one of the prices that we who live in democracies have to pay. It is, however, worth paying, if all of us can avoid the type of government under which the unfortunate population of Germany and Russia must exist.”
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945)