Mercedes Planning an AWD Marketing Assault

The Quattro V AWD system will be introduced this year, so I don't think they'll lose sleep over this.

jmr07A4,

You sir are an idiot. I have read a ton of comparisons where an AWD Audi has lost to an AWD Mercedes or AWD BMW.

The fact that I can speak and read fluent German enables me to read German websites related to cars. In fact, Autozeitung.de just compared the Audi Q7 3.0 TDI to the Mercedes GL320 CDI. The Audi Q7 won the comparison because it was SPORTIER, but get this, the Mercedes GL320 CDI was judged to be BETTER OFFROAD than the Audi. Now correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't Audi pride itself on its AWD heritage?

Also, many people who buy a Mercedes know a lot about cars. They know the great history behind the brand, the achievements, the innovations, the fantastic success in motorsports and much much more. People who generally know little about cars tend to go for cars like Lexus, Acura or Infiniti. Brands with no history or prestige but that instead offer good value and feel-good-factor. I am tempted to throw Audi in there as well to annoy you...

Like I said, you're an idiot, which a shamelessly clueless post like the one above proves.

Bill,

I don't ever recall seeing Audi promote any off road use of either the cars or the SUV. So you are probably correct if the Merc was a better off road vehicle. But that doesn't mean the Q7 was ever built for off roading.

Plano, I was referring to the fact that Audi prides itself on Quattro, while Mercedes doesn't really emphasize their connection to AWD. And in this case, Audi, a company which is known for AWD and perhaps rallying motorsports builds an SUV that's more sporty than offroad practical.

Just a correction on that article, it states the 4matic is available on 18 models, I think the writer meant 48.

Chip-

I think you may be right and the shift to AWD vehicles being offered by the high end manufactures supports this. I would not say RWD enthusiasts are wrong, but the latest systems are challenging tradition. AWD is now used in Porsche, Bugatti, Ferrari and Lamborghini models.