>> " Evoque won North American Truck of the Year " made me smile.
>>
Oh come on give them credit, it had been out for just over a year when that was written.
One out of three isn't bad for the Yanks.
|
I understand that most BMWs and MBs sold in North America are also 4wd e.g. 325xi or 4Matic MBs. 4wd is a requirement in this US market sector these days so this is merely following the market demand.
'xi' versions of a number of BMWs and 4Matic MBs are available in continental Europe but not imported to the UK, I suspect because demand is limited although Audi do well enough with their quattros.
|
>> 'xi' versions of a number of BMWs and 4Matic MBs are available in continental Europe
>> but not imported to the UK, I suspect because demand is limited although Audi do
>> well enough with their quattros.
>>
BMW will be importing 4WD versions of the current 3-series into the UK, starting with the 2 litre petrol. (costing £1535 extra) They have also announced that 2-litre and 3-litre diesel engined versions of the Touring will be sold over here.
I think that recent winters in the UK have had some influence on this decision.
Meanwhile, Audi are introducing e-Quattro on the next A4 (the "B9") due in 2013. The existing system is heavy and hits fuel economy. Moving to an electronic version enables them to fit hybrid power if required, such as separate electric motors for the rear wheels.
|
>>
>> BMW will be importing 4WD versions of the current 3-series into the UK, starting with
>> the 2 litre petrol. (costing £1535 extra) They have also announced that 2-litre and 3-litre
>> diesel engined versions of the Touring will be sold over here.
>>
>> I think that recent winters in the UK have had some influence on this decision.
>>
>> Meanwhile, Audi are introducing e-Quattro on the next A4 (the "B9") due in 2013. The
>> existing system is heavy and hits fuel economy. Moving to an electronic version enables them
>> to fit hybrid power if required, such as separate electric motors for the rear wheels.
>>
>>
Both sound promising I'd suggest ?
|
>>'xi' versions of a number of BMWs and 4Matic MBs are available in continental Europe but not imported to the UK,
>> I suspect because demand is limited although Audi do well enough with their quattros.
>>
Some non Oriental cars are designed as LHD and converted to RHD.
IIRC MB A class got some comments about the steering conversion.
Creating a 4WD with such cramed engine bays must be a real challenge and then not worth the aggro of a RHD conversion for a small market.
My 98 Mondeo has the brake servo on the passenger side.
My X type Jaguar also has the servo and the bonnet release on the passenger side.
The only "clutch foot" rest is on the passenger side.
(The X type of course was AWD early on.)
|
Jaguar XJ - +XF 4-wheel drive available in USA - henry k
