Drove a 164 Q4

["Rich Lasner" <rlasner@domain.elided>]

Leo Kan drove his one-of-two-in-the-States (that I know of) 164 Q4 from
college in New York State to his father's house in the Bay Area a few
days ago (3000 mile trip!). For those not aware of this variation of a
164, it's a 230bhp, V6, 24v, all wheel drive car. Probably the highest
development of the 164 line. He brought it over to my house, and we
drove it back to back with my 164 S down the Pacific Coast Highway.
 
The differences were interesting: The Q4 is highly refined and smooth as
silk. It's all wheel drive is very different around curves: The rear end
seems glued down, and you can feel the rear wheels pushing. I'm so used
to feeling the rear of my S being pulled through turns that it took a
few minutes to adjust. The cable-actuated 6-speed was slick and smooth,
though not as crisp as the rod-actuated 5-speed in the S. Power builds
silently and swiftly in the Q4, with little of the sound and fury of the
S (Leo wished the Q4 was a little more agressive in the exhaust note and
grunt departments). All in all the Q4 felt like what is is: An evolution
of the164 line. I sure wish they'd brought it to the States. I'd have
been in line to buy one for certain.
 
Rich Lasner
ARA
AROC
Mill Valley CA

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