Test drive Audi A2 1999 - 2005 Minivan

In zero gravity

Having created the AL2 concept in 1997, Audi AG hinted to the world, which relies on a compact model with an aluminum body. It took two years and about 200 million dollars to implement plans. And now the small Audi A2 of an extraordinary design is looking for its owners.
 
One of the most important tasks facing auto manufacturers is to reduce the weight of the manufactured machines. The relief of the design promises considerable benefit. First of all, which is most relevant for compact city cars is fuel economy.
 
How to achieve the desired? You can use non -traditional materials, for example, aluminum. Audi AG experts were decisive than developers from many other companies. They did not catch grams (or, at best, kilograms) by using parts made of winged metal. The A2 model was built with one hundred percent aluminum body and thereby facilitated the machine for 100-150 kg relative to steel analogues. Judge for yourself, Audi A2 weighs 895 kg, and its closest competitor to Mercedes-Benz A-class in a comparable configuration is 1020.
 
According to one of the rules of the automotive industry, reducing the weight of the machine per 100 kg leads to saving 600 g of fuel over 100 km of path. We will talk about the modest A2 appetite later, but for now we will note that experiments with aluminum bodies began in non -Kassim (where A2 is produced) back in 1913. It reached the production production only in 1994, when the respectable A8 was put on the conveyor. But one thing is a car for the elect, the other is massive.
 
What is Audi A2? Let's abandon the stamps of hatchback, station wagon or microven. Let the non -trivial A2 be just a compact car. According to the developers, the concepts of lightness and solidity seem to be contradictory in its appearance. As a confirmation of this, they indicate a sloping roof, a tricky curved rear window and a flat panel body with high shoulders, which really looks very solid.
 
The progressive A2 design confirms the Audi desire to establish new aesthetic standards and speaks of the original nature of the machine. Looking at the novelty, somehow you can’t breathe even. Even those who are not too emotional, without hesitation state A2 originality.
 
It is not surprising that our Audi was constantly under the crossfire of curious glances. Spy activity using such a catchy car is strictly contraindicated. But to quench the A2 vanity present in most people, A2 is ideal.
 
The little Audi is surprising to the face of a silver color. In addition, the aluminum essence of the machine is in this way.
 
The A2 body is a spatial light metal frame called ASF (Audi Space Frame). Each element of the frame with flat panels carries a certain load. The docking of all parts is carried out using welding (in an inert gas) and rivets - approximately equally. As a result, the aluminum cocoon is not only light, but also extremely durable. In terms of stiffness, it is several times higher than the design of ordinary - steel - bodies.
 
Due to the increase in stiffness, A2 safety has increased significantly. In a collision, the front of the body absorbs the lion's share of the energy of the impact, which dissolves in the cell structure of the cell that protects passengers.
 
With its modest size, the Audi A2 manages to be spacious enough for four passengers. A2 is one of those rare compact cars in which the rear passengers are provided with a full -fledged place for the legs. Thanks to the double bottom, the floor level in the second row of seats is lower than the front.
 
At first glance, the trunk after a series of metamorphosis from a small Baulchik becomes a capacious container. This is when the rear seats are completely removed from the circulation. But they can be folded, and without taking them out of the cabin - the backs are either just leaning back, or, in two doses, they are closely applied to the front chairs. In the trunk, the floor is also two -layer. Under the upper level there are a compartment with a spare spurt and a compartment in which a set of tools is stored.
 
The interior Audi A2 is the personification of rationality and quality. The car looks so neatly and neatly that you want to hang the legs wipes off at the entrance!.
 
The original combination of finishing materials and the absence of excessive decor give the cabin a unique look, and discreet aluminum elements support the leitmotif of the entire structure.
 
The chairs here in German are hard, but very comfortable. In the seats of the second row, the inclination of the back changes. Both front seats are equipped with an excellent adjustment that allows you to raise them without getting up.
 
Our A2 is equipped with a four-cylinder 75-horsepower gasoline engine with a volume of 1.4 liters (there is a set of a machine with a three-cylinder turbodiesel of similar power). This is not to say that the small Audi on the go is quite vigorous to appease the real dashings, but to ordinary users its traction-dynamic characteristics will seem quite decent. The car accelerates to 100 km/h in 12 seconds and develops 173 km/h maximum speed (the achievement of the Mercedes-Benz A-class with a 1.4-liter engine is somewhat more modest). At the same time, do not forget about the economy of A2, which over every hundred kilometers spends on average only 6 liters of gasoline - almost a liter less than the closest competitor. Here it is, the advantage of a light aluminum body!
 
Low fuel consumption is associated not only with Audi A2 lightweight. A clearly expressed drop -shaped form, prompted by nature itself as a sample of minimal resistance to the air flow, provided A2 unusually low aerodynamic resistance coefficient -0.28. Even much more squat cars cannot boast of this meaning. In addition, good streamlining determines a low noise level. The oncoming wind, as it were, licks the moving machine, and he has nothing to catch on. And the chants of the engine are stuck in a powerful sound insulation.
 
A2 - Executive Small. He carefully pulls in the first four gears, only slightly stubborn at those moments when he lacks revolutions. The stability of acceleration is provided by the ASR anti -boom system.
 
When there is a need to besiege the car, you can safely press on the middle pedal. At least in a bend, even on a wet road, grip brakes, sensitive ABS and a zealous Camella of the EBV brake forces will stop the car with maximum efficiency.
 
In the native urban environment, A2 captivates with high maneuverability. To write out the pretzel, maneuvering in the transport chaos of the central streets, thanks to the steering wheel and a slight radius of the turn, is not difficult. But the overview of the cabin is far from the ideal: the front is limited by wide body racks, and the rear, and so rather narrow, completely disappears in bad weather, when part of the glass under the spoiler is covered with a dense layer of dirt. It remains to rely on external mirrors, since they carry their service regularly.
 
The specific features of the Audi A2 include the clutch pedal with a large, free stroke. Only filigree handling of it avoids light twitching of a car during switching. But magnificent handling becomes a truly valuable gift for sitting at the wheel. A2 keeps the road like a baby's mother. Despite the relatively large height, the Audi passes high -speed turns with a meager deviation from the vertical, and its front wheels, at the same time, like radar, supply the driver with operational information.
 
Course stability is largely determined by the rigidity of a short -flowing suspension. The reverse side of stiffness is the hostility of the suspension to the bumps and potholes. Sometimes it comes to breakdown - the phenomenon of an unpleasant, but eliminated using the so -called Russian package (the elastic suspension elements of which are developed taking into account the state of the national road network).
 
Some passers -by during our stops were interested in the cost of A2 and, having learned that it is 20 thousand dollars, exclaimed in surprise: everything?! Either thicknesses were added in our area, or A2 makes such a strong impression. We are inclined to the second option. The car looks really stunning.
 
For dessert we mention another damn attractive innovation. Where other cars are usually located in the radiator grille, a lacquered damper is located on A2. Behind it there are pouring neckline for oil and washing liquid for windshield, as well as an oil probe. The right to open (more precisely, completely remove) the hood is granted to employees of a specialized service. As well as repair and restoration work after the accident. After all, aluminum A2 requires non -traditional repair methods.
 
Audi A2, with all its pros and cons, in general, of course, carries a positive charge. This car is like some other life. It is perceived as an exhibit of the Museum of Contemporary Art. Nevertheless, A2 is not a subject for contemplation, but a very convenient, economical and fairly powerful vehicle.
 
Technical characteristics Audi A2
 
The body is alumin., On the space. frame, 5-door
Number of places, people. - 5
Equipped mass, kg - 895
Full mass, kg - 1380
Dimensions (length/width/height), mm - 3826/1673/1553
Base, mm - 2405
Maximum speed, km/h - 173
Acceleration time to 100 km/h, s - 12
Control consumption of fuel, l/100 km:
- City cycle - 8.2
- Country cycle - 4.7
- Mixed cycle - 6
Fuel tank capacity, L - 34
Engine:
- Type - 4 -cylinder., Row., Gasoline.
- working volume, cm3 - 1390
- Power, L.S. at MIN -1 - 75/5000
- torque, NM at min -1 - 126/3800
- power system - multi -point injection
Transmission - fur., 5 -t., Per. drive unit
Tire size - 175/60R15
Wheel suspension:
- Front - type Mcphereson
- Rear - cross. Balka, subcriminal. longitudinal levers
Brakes: with ABS
- front - disk
- rear - drum
The steering is a gear rack, with an increase.
Price, $ - 20,000
 
Text: Igor Kuznetsov
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [02/2001]