German Car Zone

That could work, but Maybach, Lagonda and even Aston-Martin itself have a long ways to go in matching Porsche and Bentley and Bugatti overall. The sheer engineering might of that VW group is staggering. Mercedes-Benz by itself can match or beat anyone of them, but MB would be working triple time tyring to bring Aston, Maybach and Lagonda up to speed. McLaren is most likely out the picture going foward.

M

I wouldn't be sure if MB alone can match the might of what Audi might become. Here's the example I'm thinking:

Audi are trying to design the new RS6. They've got the know-how from Porsche, Lamborghini, Bugatti and Bentley. That covers everything from great interior, engines, suspensions... everything. Ok, so it might turn out to be a hodgepodge... but that's not a bad bin to dip into.

MB trying to design the E63. Sure they can do it themselves maybe. But they'll have to put in so much more resources. Even if they had AM to help them... imo that's still no match to the behemoth that might become the PAH group.

I really doubt about how can Audi beat Mercedes great sport saloons. I doubt some day we will see an A8 having 600hp.

Interesting news. Hope it becomes a reality.

btw, A5 sportback = 4 door A5? Isn't that what the A4 already is?

It's a hatchback. 5dr.

A5 SB = A5 5dr hatchback.

i dont see what porsche have to offer the quattro division of audi. they are doing a perfectly good job themselves!

Man that is the ultimate wet dream MB fanatic can have

Good points Warot but i think u are underestimating MB here,do u realize that MB is the ONLY car maker in the world that SEVERAL 600hp+ cars in it's lineup? which beats in power figure all the cars from VAG Veyron excluded.

So IMO MB won't have a mere or the slightest problem in smoking VAG's premium brand but the thing MB needs is just an ultra exclusive badges like McLaren,Lagona,MM and hopefully Pagani(sorry Artist) and of course the snag is just MB,AMG and the absoultely mad HWA will really have to work their ass off BIG TIME with all that as Marcus pointed out.

Sure they can. Mercedes wrote the book on engineering and they've already proven they can do interiors, big hp, and suspension. I seriously doubt those other brands worked with Audi on the current RS6, but I get what you're saying which I why I said that MB could take on any of them singularly, not the whole VW empire. They'd need help to do that for sure. In reality Lambo is already under Audi's influence as Bentley and Bugatti are under VW's. The only real new entity would be Porsche. I have no doubt that Mercedes' R&D machine could hold its own as long as MB is healthy. Add to that Aston-Martin, HWA and that thin tie with Mclaren and you've got a match easily.


M

That's the whole point.
Porsche wants an access to Audi R&D ... to get the know-how.

"Help" in Porsche terms means "We get there with false intention to help you, but what we really want is to acquire your know-how. You know - since we are selfish swine from Stuttgart. But not the ones with the Star."

OT:
Stuttgart RoX