Audi A3 and Subaru B9 Tribeca

Hello again WheelsTV Enthusiasts. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season.
We've got some great new programming coming your way on the hottest cars just rolling onto the showroom floor. First, we're working on a TOP 200 program featuring the new Audi A3. Now, many of you car fanatics out there will know that the A3 is not a new model for Audi. The A3 has been on sale in Europe for

Audi A35
quite some time. But even for Europe, the 2006 A3 is new. It has been redesigned and now rides on the new Volkswagen Golf platform that we'll be seeing in 2006 when the new Golf comes to the U.S. This platform will be much stiffer, providing a sportier ride than in past iterations.

To complement the stiffer chassis, the new A3 is equipped with a standard 2.0L direct-injection, turbo I-4 throwing 200hp (0-60 in 7.0 sec.) to the front wheels or all 4 wheels with the optional Quattro AWD system. Also, look for Audi to be dropping its 3.2L VR6 into the A3's engine bay sometime in the future.

You have a choice of different transmissions. The first is a standard 6-speed manual. A 7-speed DSG (direct shift gearbox) is optional, which, since it was claims to have one of the fastest shift times in any production vehicle, will make you feel like Michael Schumacher, but without the discomforts of a Formula 1 car.


Audi A3 interior5

Speaking of comforts, the A3 holds up Audi's claim to fame with its beautifully crafted interior. Even with its sporting intentions, the A3 does not punish its driver with a harsh ride. Rather, the Audi engineers have found a wonderful balance between sport and comfort.

But don't let the luxury distract you from the real utility of the A3. It can fit 13 cu. ft. of cargo behind the second row of seats. And with the rear seats folded, you are offered 36 cu. ft. to fill. Plus, with 30mpg, you get a whole lot of cargo space without the need for a gas-guzzling SUV.

When you get into the dealership, you will be presented with a long list of opulent options like a premium BOSE stereo system and plush leather seats. But if you hold yourself back, you can walk away with a brand new A3 2.0 with the DSG for about $24,740. For the money, this is a car definitely worth considering.

Next, WheelsTV has a new TOP 200 show on the Subaru B9 Tribeca, the new five or seven passenger SUV from the renowned AWD car maker. Subaru has been a leader in all weather capability in all of its cars for a long time, so they only saw fit to add a real SUV to the line-up. The Tribeca is offered in base and Limited trim levels, both of which are offered in either the five or seven passenger seating

configuration.

Subaru B9 Tribeca5

The Tribeca joins a large group of mid-size, car-based SUV's including the Toyota Highlander to the Honda Pilot. When you get behind the wheel of the B9 Tribeca, you realize this SUV was not built to do any heavy off-roading. The ride is fairly soft. At the same time, it doesn't roll too much when entering an on-ramp or navigating tight turns.


The Tribeca is based on a heavily revised version of the Outback chassis and takes the Outback's engine, a 3.0L horizontally opposed 6-cyl. With an output of 250hp but just 219 lb-ft. of torque, the engine becomes challenged when driving up a steep hill. This anemia is felt particularly when trying to muster up some speed to pass on the highway. It just isn't enough for 4225 lbs. But, the standard 5-speed automatic makes do with what it's got and provides smooth shifting through the Subaru all-wheel-drive system. And for those of you trying to save a little dough at the gas pump, that little let down in power will earn you 24mpg on the highway.

Other standard equipment includes the full allotment of safety features like ABS and 4 airbags plus curtain airbags for the second (and third if optioned as such) row.

Also, you'll find what is, in my opinion, one of the most expressive and artsy dashboards in any car today. There is a beautiful sweeping wave of

Subaru B9 Tribeca interior5

aluminum with the apex of the curve right in the middle holding the climate control and radio buttons. Unfortunately, the exterior styling may be a bit harder to swallow. Subaru is beginning to try to attach a common nose to all of it's vehicles (a la Audi) so people will be able to identify their cars as Subarus but the look does not appear to be what many had hoped. But if you can get past the, let's just say odd, styling and, compared to other Subies, high price ($32,395), you'll be looking at a very comfortable and expressive SUV that you won't lose in a parking lot.

If you'd like to see Top 200 video test drives of these and other new vehicles on-line, you can go to www.Vehix.com. If you have Comcast digital cable, you can find them in the VOD section. Go to Sports and Leisure and then scroll down to Drivers' Seat and Top 200.

Thanks to everyone who has sent in comments. They have been very helpful and we hope you keep it up.

Thank you,

Ben