In “The Bradsher Bunch” SUV comparison (January 2003), you mention that the Touareg is the first “off-roader” from VW since World War II. I hate to be a pain in the ass, but you are mistaken. In 1979, VW started production on the Iltis (in English, a ferret or weasel) light-utility vehicle for the German Army. This four-by-four was production until 1982, when the Army decided to phase in the Mercedes G-wagen. Production rights were sold to Bombardier, which then produced the Iltis for the Canadian armed forces (as well as a few European countries) from 1982 to about 1987. They are still being used by the Canadian Army today, but plans are to replace them with … you guessed it, the G-wagen. Glenn Henderson. Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Forget about warning Keith Bradsher. You guys need to start looking over your shoulders. A test of $40,000 to $50,000 SUVs that includes off-road capabilities demonstrates a complete lack of grasp in reality. Where in this country do you think you’re going to find people buying a $47,000 BMW X5 to go off in? I live in Phoenix, where half the roads aren’t much better than dirt, and the SUV you rate so highly crawl the slowest over the gravel/dirt/under-contraction/rock-over-tar roads. Who’s going to put Arizona pinstripes on his or her $53,000 Lexus GX? (That’s what the cactus gives you.). Karen Lewis. Gilbert, Arizona.
“Fulminations” “Demimonde” has Yates been taking a correspondence course or moonlighting at scientific American? He spent way too much time in the Touareg. E. Rodig. Laguna Beach, California.
Comments