Got my latest issue of Road & Track. They have a comparo article featuring the A4 Avant, Subaru Legacy Wagon, Passat Wagon, & Volvo V70 R wagon. They mention something really stupid in the article about the Passat having the same mechanicals (Including QUATTRO) as the A4....HUH? These guys must be smoking crack or something....as far as I remember, VW's SYNCHRO system is NOT the same as QUATTRO....hate it when car mags say stupid stuff like this.<p>Anyway, there is also an interesting article on OBDII, explaining many those "phantom" check engine lights that everyone gets now and again. There's also a small section on "straight cut" gears vs helical gears (I posted a question about this a week or so ago...). Just thought this would be interesting...<p>Cheers,<br>-Ash 98.5 Silver 1.8TQMS

The Passat does have the same exact AWD system as the A4. Passats have a longitudinally mounted engine just like the A4 and therefore uses the same transmission and drive train as the A4.

Hmm....so are you saying that the Passat wagon's AWD system uses a TORSEN center diff, and open diffs at each axle just like the A4 (in other words QUATTRO)? I must plead ignorance on this, from what I've read on this group for the past 4 months seemed to indicate to me that VWs AWD system was different that AUDI's. If indeed they are the same, I stand corrected....(and a little red in the face..hehe)...<p>Thanks......<br>-Ash Silver 98.5 1.8TQMS

The use of the quattro system on the new Passat is only true of the 99 version. VW is driving for high reuse of their components across platforms - saves them development cost, etc.<p>It makes an interesting comparison between the new Passat and a new A4. Any opinions?<p>AD

From what I've read so far,... the 4Motion (which replaces Synchro) uses or will use the same AWD technology as the up-coming TT AWD system.... called Hailex (sp?), developed in Sweden. I think this system is a fully computer controlled, speed sensing AWD system. Blah, blah, blah.... please someone correct me if I am wrong. :)<p>Cris<br>

Lovely brand management over there at VW-Audi-Seat-Skoda.<p>Piech is running a multi-ring circus. So far it's making money, but we'll see...he wants VW to compete with Mercedes Benz. That might be ok in Europe where MB's line runs the gamut, but here in the states you can't get a S280 with cloth or a manual tranny C180, so I say that's suicide.<p>steve

VW is not producing quattro/syncro/awd for '99. R&T is driving a car that can not be purchased in the USA.

I don't get it either why would he want VW to compete with Mercedes while he has the Audi brand that is the upscale brand for VW. He's just frustrating us Audi owners by making the New VWs too much like our Audis. It wasn't too bad 2yrs ago but from now on why buy an Audi if you can buy a Passat for thousands less and that's not to mention the new Jetta GLX.The components under the<br>hood, interior design, and materials are looking too much alike.This is just like GM and their 5 brands and you can't tell them apart.Maybe I'll buy myself a BMW 323I next time if Audi and VW don't clean up their act. It took Audi ten years to recover let's not screw it up, MR Piech.

If your Audi or VW has a north-south engine placement, it has the familiar in-line AWD system. 4000Q/80-90Q/A4/Quantum/Passat. If your Audi or VW has an east-west engine placement it has/will have a variation of viscous (or "vicious coupling" ;-)) AWD, where the power delivery is making left-right turns. Golf Rallye/TT. Keep in mind that Quattro,Syncro,etc. are MARKETING, not engineering, terms.