First Look
BMW M6 Convertible
BMW announced the arrival of the "ultimate" two-plus-two open-air driving experience-the new BMW M6 Convertible. Like its hard-top stablemate, the M6 Convertible combines a 500-bhp V10 and the seven-speed SMG gearbox with Drivelogic. It also combines the signature luxury and elegance inherent in every 6 Series with true supercar performance: zero to 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds and a top speed electronically limited to 155 mph. With production beginning this month, the '07 M6 Convertible should begin arriving in U.S. showrooms very soon.
Incoming... you said it.
Got something you want to say? Please send us your feedback. Email european.car@primedia.com.
Literal Journalism
On page 93 of the September 2006 issue, the editor says a BMW M3 "literally fell into my lap." I'd just like to say I'm very pleased that you were not killed in what sounds like quite a horrific accident.
Dave Kraige
State College, PA
Down an Old Road
Thanks for the story by Kevin Clemens (September 06, pg. 122). Made the world go rosy for me for a while. I must be getting romantic in my old age. Either that or I just plain forgot how much I loved tear-assing around in old Alpha and Fiat Spyders. Given the rumored prospect of Alpha returning to these shores, please consider doing an overview of Alpha similar to the one you did on the BMW 3 Series last year.
P.S.: Tell Kevin that Sally should have run over Thomas's foot. The putz.
M.J. Rapuano
Via the Internet
A Little Brainstorming
I have a few ideas that I would like to bounce off you for your mag.
1. You should do an article about how to get max mileage out of your VW diesel.
2. You should show the actual dyno charts for the tuner cars compared to stock. Nothing huge, just a little square under the specs you show at the end of those articals.
3. You should do a section on common problems with European cars and fixes for them, e.g., window clips for VWs, ball joints for the BMWs and whatever else you can think of. Mind you, as a VW tech I dont really need these but it would help your readers feel more attached to their cars.
4. Give me a job so I don't need to turn wrenches anymore. Haha. Outside of that, I love the new format.
Justin Kobak
Via the Internet
Justin, thanks for the feedback and the ideas. And we'd love to hire some new help, but currently have no budget to do so. Do you work for free?
Sell Outs?
I am (or was) a loyal subscriber of yours since I was 16 and acquired my very first car, a 1985 Scirocco. That was when your rag was called VW & Porsche. I have owned, restored and modified many Euro cars since then. I am now three months away from my 35th birthday and I have gotten pretty disgusted with the direction you have gone over the past two years. Your mag was for the people with real world cars and good tech articles which have basically all gone away. I know I cannot be the only person to tell you this, either. I think I can count maybe five or so articles that were actually about VWs in the past 10 issues!
Do you honestly feel that the common Southern California professional like myself can actually afford a $100K-plus Ferrari or Bentley? That is pretty arrogant of your upper management or editors to assume. You took a great magazine and ruined it completely. The BMWs, Alfas, VWs, Audis, old-school Porsche cars, etc., have pretty much been replaced with these cars that only the uber rich can afford.
In my honest opinion, the content that kept Euro enthusiasts like myself motivated to finish that resto or buy from your advertisers and only one or two pieces of the supercar articles to admire and dream about was the best balance in keeping people like myself coming back for more.
I just wanted to thank you for making a repeat, loyal customer of almost 20 years feel like a POS that was forgotten about over a trend... sell outs. Please cancel my subscription immediately. You have too many elite customers to worry about anyways.
Chris Oakland
Temecula, CA
Thanks for the great hate mail, but you might be blowing things out of proportion. Saying we cover only Ferraris and Bentleys is ridiculous. How about the A4s? The 3 Series? How about the six-page historical piece/photo essay on your beloved Scirocco? We're sorry we can no longer devote 50 percent editorial space to Mk II and III VWs. We're not going back to those days, however.
Volkswagen and SEMA '06
Coming off a stunning debut at SEMA last year, Volkswagen is poised to make another big splash at SEMA '06.
At the 2005 SEMA show, Volkswagen made a huge statement with its display of three concept vehicles, code named Project R GT Unfortunately, these vehicles were more "truly conceptual" vs. "true to own." The problem was that the engines and drivetrain configurations were never going to be for sale in the United States. These amazing machines were basically unobtainable, and it was like dangling candy in front a baby.
Volkswagen promises that this year will be different. For SEMA 2006, VW wants the focus to be on mainstream tuning and the fact that their cars can compete as affordable entry level tuner vehicles. It's rumored that this year a new project car will be hopping on stage along side it sportier GTI brother. The cars exhibited will be models fitted with performance parts that will be available for sale to the American consumer.
To ensure performance tuning comes off without a hitch, Volkswagen has joined forces with Neuspeed, an industry leader in the performance aftermarket. For more than 30 years, Neuspeed has consistently put out high quality parts and has recently developed a new 2.5L turbo kit. Stay tuned