When cars are dismantled
10/14/2018
The Auto Zeitung probably started this 40 or more years ago. After an endurance test, they dismantled the car and photographed it with beautifully draped individual components including the bodyshell. This looked appetizing, but also served a purpose. Of course, the individual parts could also be examined closely for wear and damage in the disassembled state. And the photo proved that it had been done properly.
I was always enthusiastic about these photos, when do you see a car in its individual parts? I was also fascinated by the process, because after all, it's not done by loosening screws. It takes a lot of work and equipment to make a car look like it does in the photos.
But at some point, Auto Zeitung probably stopped using this elaborate process, but Auto Bild adopted the concept and did something similar, starting with the VW Golf II GTI 16V in 1986.
And now Auto Bild has published a special issue with the endurance tests of recent years. Unfortunately, the magazine does not go back as far as the Golf II, which would certainly have pleased the youngtimer fans.
But the more recent "dismantling pictures" are also exciting to look at, and there are at least brief summaries of earlier endurance tests, such as the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL-24, the Seat Arosa SDI, the Smart in 2000 or the Fiat Multipla Bi-Power from 2002.
You can also find out who has excelled over the course of more than 30 years (e.g. BMW 528i Touring or Mazda 6 Sport) and who left the field as a failure (e.g. Citroën C8 2.2 HDI, VW Polo (2000).
Incidentally, the distance of the endurance runs was extended over time from 100,000 to 150,000 km. And the 250th endurance test has long since begun. Incidentally, an Audi A3 Sportback 1.4 TFSI g-tron is at the top of the current list, followed by the VW Golf Sportsvan 1.4 TSI and the Kia Sportage.
The special issue was not published for the newsstand but for the virtual magazine counter "Readly " . So you can't read it as a printed magazine, but only on Readly . But it's fun and much cheaper. After all, you can read hundreds of magazines every month on Readly and all for a single price that is hardly more than an expensive magazine at the newsstand. Try it out, there are even special conditions for Zwischengas readers.
Back to Auto Blld - let's hope that these endurance tests will continue for a long time to come, despite the considerable costs involved, because when the cars tested are youngtimers or even classic cars, we will be interested in the results again. Then we can publish a special issue on the old reports. We are already looking forward to it.
