VW Quantum Syncro (Think Audi)
Volkswagen is one car company that is looking to the future with
something other than trepidation. The Golf is the biggest-selling model in
Europe, the U.S. arm of the company has turned a healthy profit the last
couple of years, and a host of good stuff is in the pipeline. Haven't
these guys card of the Japanese?
Actually, they know only too well how tough the battle in the
bread-and-butter ranks has become, and they expect it to get worse. VW's
plan from here on in is to sidestep Japan's cost advantages by offering
cars with an even greater Germanic difference. "We want to position
ourselves as the German alternative, the driver's car," says Jim
Fuller, vice-president of the American division*. His zeal is missionary.
"You'll see us offering more and more technology, and we think people
will pay a few extra percent to get cars that feel good to drive."
Four-wheel drive, four-valve-per-cylinder engines, supercharging, and
the radical restyling of a couple of models are just over the next hill.
To hear Fuller tell it, VW plans to be an everyman's Audi-and therein lies
the path to salvation.
As if to prove its resolve, VW of America recently changed its name to
Volkswagen United States and rearranged both its personnel and its
parts-and-service network. The hope is that these moves will give it
greater independence from sister division Audi and allow both companies to
move more freely in their own directions.
What will tell the tale, though, is the hardware, and the first course
has just been served: the VW Quantum Syncro wagon. "Syncro" is
VW's name for 4wd, and most of its car lines will get the treatment. The
badge has already shown up on the venerable Vanagon (C/D, February). The
Golf will benefit from Syncro-ization in about a year, and an all-new 4wd
Scirocco will appear soon thereafter.
If you swear you've already seen a Quantum Syncro wagon on the streets,
we believe you. Last fall, VW test-marketed 400 1985 models in three areas
known for rotten winters: Portland, Denver, and Boston. That should tell
you something about the Quantum Syncro's mission in life. Like its cousins
from Audi, it's a 4wd passenger car intended to provide maximum-traction
action on mucky roads. The woods it leaves to Broncos and Blazers.
VW is using this opportunity to give all its Quantums a minor face
lift. The front end now has flush headlamps, a bumper that's more
carefully integrated into the overall design, and a new grille. The
side mirrors arc now body color, and the body-side moldings are wider than
before.
Technically, VW hasn't broken any new ground to bring us 4wd. As a
matter of fact, it's spaded over some old turf. X-ray the Syncro wagon and
you'll discover that its soul is pure Audi. The Quantum Syncro is
propelled by the same 2.2-liter, 115-hp five-cylinder engine and
close-ratio five-speed gearbox (no automatic is available) found in the
4000S Quattro. The 4wd system, with its locking center and rear
differentials, is off-the-shelf Audi as well.
The only mechanical departure made by VW is its choice of rear
suspension. Rather than use the 4000S Quattro's struts and lower control
arms, the VW engineers opted for semi-trailing arms that mate neatly to
the Quantum's rear coil-shock units. This, they say, enabled them to
maintain the front-drive wagon's flat load floor. The whole 4wd system
(which includes four-wheel disc brakes) adds about 180 pounds.
The Syncro has barely hit the streets, but already the engineers are
promising better things to come. The Syncro ended up with Audi's 4wd
system only because VW's home-grown hardware wasn't ready in time. The VW
system, which is now in production in the Vanagon Syncro, incorporates a
multiplate viscous coupling instead of a center differential. The coupling
automatically distributes torque to the front and rear as needed, like a
limited-slip differential. Nearly all of the torque goes to the front
wheels if the rears are on glare ice, for instance. On dry surfaces, only
about three percent of the torque gets mailed tip front.
In contrast, the Audi system tends to send the torque toward the end of
the car with less traction-unless the center differential is manually
locked, forcing a 50/50 split. VW engineers prefer their simpler (and
probably less expensive) system and will use it with future 4wd models.
You'll also note that no Quantum Syncro sedan is being offered. Though
it would have been simple enough to do so, it would have meant a conflict
with Audi, which offers the 4wd 4000S Quattro sedan in this size and price
range. Until both divisions revamp their mid-size sedan lines in the next
couple of years, this is how things will remain.
Life could be worse. The Syncro is plenty fine enough to tide us
enthusiasts over until the model mix sorts itself out. In fact, it's
delightful. The nameplate spells "Volkswagen," but once behind
the wheel you can't help thinking "Audi."
The interior, for instance, feels and looks just as you'd expect it to
in a premium German driver's sedan. The cabin is stitched in handsome
velour and contains all the important equipment an earnest driver
deserves. You grab onto a four-spoke wheel, plunk yourself down into
nicely scooped-out seats, and peer at easily readable white-on-black
analog gauges. From carpet to headliner, the materials are top-grade, and
the standard-equipment list is long.
Best of all, you can't help thinking Audi once you set the machinery in
motion. The five-cylinder engine sounds happy in its work-just as it does
in the 4000S Quattro-and the gearbox snicks along in perfect harmony. With
a 0-to-60-mph time of 10.6 seconds and a top speed of 103 mph, there's
enough velocity to keep you entertained between corners.
When it's time to dance, you'll find that the Syncro wagon bends into
turns with balletic grace. All of the controls have a sweet mechanical
feel that talks to you. The ride is always under control, too. No doubt
about it: at a walk or a gallop, the Syncro is always composed.
This would be a first-rate review for any new sports sedan, but the
Quantum Syncro also offers wagon-sized cargo space and the sure-footedness
of full-time 4wd in the bargain. Any car that can haul plywood on
Saturday, tote the family on Sunday, and give its driver something to
savor on Monday-all for a base price of $15,245-is a shoo-in for our
affections. Quantum sales have never set the world on fire, because the VW
nameplate has a tough time against the more prestigious brands in the same
market segment (Audi, Peugeot, Saab, and Volvo). The addition of 4wd,
however, should help draw some new customers into the fold.
Then there's the big picture. The Quantum Syncro, we've been assured,
is only the first step toward VW's tomorrow. Good enough. If this car
points in the new direction, all we can say is "Captain, full steam
ahead."
(article signed by Rich Ceppos)