Sept 2013 Audi Driver - Errors in Audi 80 article

[UrS4boy]

It takes awhile to get these magazines over here so I just bought this issue (Sept 2013). I bought it because of the Audi 80 history article and the fact that it included photos of a red S2 coupe and blue RS2.

I get it home and THEN read the article, only to find errors. Huh? This is Audi Driver. Shouldn't they be the ones that get the facts correct when others get them wrong?

Case(s) in point:

"Ever since the demise of the original quattro, Audi enthusiasts had been longing for a replacement and, in 1990, a special version of the Coupe' was launched, the S2 Coupe'".

Umm....Gee, wasn't there an overlap in the production of the RR Urq 20V and the 3B S2? Sure, there were rumours of the demise of the urq but it didn't cease production until well after the introduction of the S2 coupe. There was an overlap, not a gap.

The article goes on to make another glaring error.

"This was essentially the existing Coupe', but fitted with the turbocharged five-cylinder engine which had been used in the Ur quattro 20V. For the S2, the output of the engine was increased slightly to 230 PS"

Umm...yes and no. Yes the initial S2 Coupes had the 3B which is very much the same as the RR 20VT used in the UrQ 20V. However, as we all know (and apparently Audi Driver doesn't), the initial S2 coupes with the 3B had 220 PS not 230 PS. It was the later ABY that followed the AAN used in the C4 UrS4 that had five coils-on-plug(s) and produced 230 PS. Only in 1993 did the S2 coupes (and avants/estates) get the ABY engine.

Doesn't anybody do any fact checking or peer review anymore?

[UrS4boy]

I've emailed Audi Driver with the above, expressing my disappointment. I am sure that they will "get right on that, Sir".

[Pirvu Eugen]

[Error404]

Don't know if you are aware Dave, but most journalists the UK are too busy forcefeeding themselves celebrity genitals & hacking phones to do any detailed research

[johne]

Case(s) in point:

"Ever since the demise of the original quattro, Audi enthusiasts had been longing for a replacement and, in 1990, a special version of the Coupe' was launched, the S2 Coupe'".

Dave,

I hope you weren't too hard on Audi Driver in your email as on this one I believe they are correct. From what IRC from being around at the time, Audi were keen to kill off the original quattro, it had served its purpose, cost a lot to make and they had a whole new model range and direction for the marque waiting in the wings. When they first announced its demise, there was no successor only the new soft shape Coupe so everyone was wondering what was going to happen. Announcing the demise of the quattro caused lots of orders to flow in - particularly from the UK - which extended production and probably influenced Audi to produce the S2 version of the humble Coupe. All of this led to a period of uncertainty which the article referes to and as you rightly say meant the production of the 20 valve quattro extended and extending.

As for the 220/230HP issue, I haven't seen the article but no doubt it could have made clear the transition, but the 6 speed, 230HP S2 is the one remembered as defining the model.

There is no humble pie icon to match your so I suggest

John

[UrS4boy]

Dave, I hope you weren't too hard on Audi Driver in your email as on this one I believe they are correct.....

No. The way they presented the info was INCORRECT. There was not a gap between the death of the urq 20V and the S2. There was overlap. I agree with what you said about orders adding to the life of the urq 20V but it wasn't taken out of production until well after the 3B S2 coupe was in service.

The 3B 220 hp vs ABY 230 hp and the years of introduction clearly shows a lack of knowledge about the S2's history. Perhaps the writers weren't even born at that time or they were still in nappies.

Overall, there shouldn't be errors in any Audi history article in any issue of Audi Driver.

[s2driveruk]

Got to say I agree Dave - they are the knowledge base in theory and should have their facts in order, not least its because of people like those on this forum, close to the models/history that will likely know

[shaun5]

Audi Driver has made a **** up again in the November edition, In the history section they say in 2001 the A6 had a 150 bhp 5 cylinder engine with quattro and a 180 bhp as well

[UrS4boy]

Audi Driver has made a **** up again in the November edition, In the history section they say in 2001 the A6 had a 150 bhp 5 cylinder engine with quattro and a 180 bhp as well

I would guess that someone saw "2.5L TDI" and then assumed the inline 5 2.5L diesel instead of the V6 AFB (150 hp), AKN (150 hp), and AKE (180 hp).

Minor detail, inline 5 vs V6.

[andyg plym]

This so reminds me of the dealers ! Strange I know but it does !

[s2driveruk]

lol...no its not the same, at least Audi Driver haven't tried to convince you they never made an S2

[rj scotty]

lol...no its not the same, at least Audi Driver haven't tried to convince you they never made an S2

"you mean A2 s line?"

[UrS4boy]

lol...no its not the same, at least Audi Driver haven't tried to convince you they never made an S2

Ya. Like the younger dealerships parts people give me the look , when I say I have a 93 S4. "No, sorry sir, they didn't make an S4 in 1993". Umm...yes they did...

[veneto rs2]

I'm with Dave on this.

Such "errors" are unforgivable.

When I had my RS2 on magazines I had (lucky) Journalist that were very very precise on having from me all the possible information regarding everything about the car and always had the draft sent to me to double check, which I doublecheck wit other RS2 owners/experts.

Stefano

[UrS4boy]

Audi Driver replied to my email. Actually Paul Harris himself replied. He said that I am correct and that they are going to publish an edited version of my email with the necessary corrections and comments in the December issue.

He also asked if I would want to write an article about my UrS4.

Mr. Harris also mentioned that a more detailed and precise article about the S2 history was in the July/Aug 2001 issue of Audi Driver. I am not sure if I have seen that article.