Test drive Audi A4 B5 1994 - 2001 sedan

Appearances are deceptive

To meet cars on clothing is an ungrateful business
Everything was mixed in the automobile world. The modest Mark Audi seriously decided to conquer the Higher Light: each new model is larger and more solid than the previous one. So the next A4 properly supports the higher A6. Against the background of the claims of the four Mitsubishi Galant, it occupies a more modest position. Maybe age affects? Or maybe nationality? Unanimous Galant and A4 in the main issue - price. Both cars, depending on the configuration, cost from $ 23,000 to 32,000, and A4, as a rule, in a similar configuration even a little more expensive.
So, the choice is made. Audi A4 for $ 26,500 with a two -liter engine with a capacity of 131 hp. Mitsubishi Galant will resist $ 28,000 with a V-shaped 2.5-liter six of 170 horses.
Taste and color ...
Outwardly, Audi A4 itself is respectable. The stylistic solutions worked out on larger brothers gave the four to the four, making it a slightly reduced copy of senior brothers. Did the car won this? He seemed to have matured - but did not become more interesting. It is a pity, but such is a generally accepted trend - to make cars with a rank lower, as it were, reduced copies of more expensive models.
Inside, the same corporate solidarity: strict upholstery materials, dense, hard seats, which has already become a traditional combination of devices, a little irritating eye with an abundance of numbers, and, of course, the central console, saturated with climate installation and thoroughbred stereo system. In general, the primordial owner of Audi is unlikely to feel the stylistic novelty, being here: everything looks a little more expensive, but traditionally. The main changes are in the cabin. Even knowing about the change in his proportions, you twist your head in surprise: it is unusual spacious here. The right front passenger was stepped out, the ranges of adjustments of the seats and the steering wheel seem huge, and the space surrounding you is almost not embarrassed. Only a powerful central tunnel slightly limits the granted freedoms, demonstrating what to sacrifice for the sake of all -wheel drive modification. The back seat is also not bad, but there is no longer a feeling of excess space. Deep substetricians-collar on the floor fetter their legs at the entrance and exit, to the limit of the gaps along the knees and head. Perhaps for very picky passengers there will be not so much place here. But the trunk is expected to be convenient and spacious even for a car of this class.
Mitsubishi Galant, perhaps, was one of the few among mass products to preserve not only a clearly distinguishable belonging to a well -known company, but also an original, aggressive silhouette. A predatory flowing hood, a narrow cut of the headlights, a spectacular front bumper - this car really attracts a look. Sharp, as if after cutting with an experienced jeweler, the forms of the machine are not in doubt in its speed character. But inside is complete democracy. It would seem that a strict dark salon, like on Audi, should make it pull up. But no! Once in a driver’s place, you seem to spread in a large and soft chair and already with some laziness look around. At first glance, it is no more spacious here than in Audi. Either the seats are more high, or something else, but the driver and passenger are even a little closer to each other. As in the four, they are separated by a mighty central tunnel and a haalantly provoking handbrake. Without removing it, you just do not turn on the program. The four -spoke bagel is clearly larger in size, and it is regulated, alas, only in height. In a word, you sit in Mitsubishi not as tightly as in Audi, and, perhaps, less convenient. The limitations of adjustments (especially in height) and the ergonomic disunity of some control organs are also felt - for example, the box lever has to reach much further.
If you do not get hung up on sports and perceive the galant simply as a means of transportation, you will probably be impressed by a relaxing environment, a cheerful light of dials that flashes when you turn the ignition key (by the way, the devices are read better than on the audi). The microclimate control unit with a color display will also seem more convenient. So on an ordinary consumer, the workplace makes a pleasant impression. In general, the Galanta salon is quite convenient and ... is a striking contrast with a high -speed appearance, which gives rise to a double perception of the machine.
But in the back seat is really more convenient. There are no deep niche-colleagues, there is more a reserve in height, and the backs of the front seats a little further from your knees. Galanta trunk is close in size to Audi. Only the configuration of the opening disappeared. So, the confrontation has already been outlined, let's see what will happen next.
Character - character ...
Audi A4. And so I recall the voice of Kopelan: the character is even, Nordic ... This could be limited if, in moderation, the convenient and painful Audi motor did not have two features - a cheerful capture after 4000 rpm and an equally cheerful, bass voice for graduation systems. Perhaps it is precisely this perky combination, not much corresponding to a respectable appearance, first of all, it makes you overestimate the accumulated impressions. I want to twist the motor, enjoying his roar, I want to quickly switch the programs - the box works so clearly. And you suddenly forget about dimensions and appearance, the four turns into an accurately tuned tool that does not tolerate unnecessary movements, twigs and other provocations. And it is precisely for this that the brakes are sharpened, which at first alerted with too small effort on the pedals, and the characteristics of rather hard suspensions, and sensitive steering.
Of course, Audi is not impeccable. Suspensions cope well with most road irregularities, but are tiring with an excessively detailed repetition of the profile of the road. The clarity of the steering deteriorates in quick turns due to the irregularities arising on the irregularities. Nevertheless, everything in this car is subordinated to speedy driving. It would seem that a trifle is a lever of turning indicators, but it is made so that, barely indicating the inclusion of a turn signal, you get four to five stable blinks, without holding the lever. You get used to it instantly!
All this, so to speak, is an emotional perception of Audi. The layman is more likely to celebrate an even motor, traveling from 900-1000 rpm, its increased noise, especially against the background of well-developed aerodynamics and weak noise of tires. Perhaps, in this case, a certain oversupply of sports in the character of the machine, which is not very fading with the appearance of the car, will seem a little superfluous. Well, to each his own ...
  In the riding plan, Mitsubishi Galant is, first of all, a very temperamental engine that easily demonstrates superiority over a less powerful Audi motor. The response of the V-shaped six is \u200b\u200bfast, energetic, but surprisingly soft. Like a rubber tourniquet picks Mitsubishi, it is worth stomping on the accelerator pedal. It is interesting, but with generally good traction (this engine confidently accelerates the car from about 1000-1200 rpm), the Galanta engine loves high speeds, truly reviving after 4000 rpm. Even more unexpected is his ability to spin up to almost 7000 rpm, while demonstrating everything as soft, but powerful acceleration. Galant clearly brings up the driver, but in a completely different way than Audi. There is no sound surroundings - the noise of the engine simply serves as a kind of background, there is no diabolical clarity of the transfers - on the contrary, they have to be sent, pretty worked as a lever.
In general, the Japanese does not have that exciting military sharpness of the order, so inherent in the Germans. Rather, on the contrary. The reactions of the car are calm - sometimes, alas, smeared. So, the brakes that are quite acceptable at low speeds, in an extreme situation, suddenly dumb. The reactions to the actions of the steering wheel, saying good flaws, suddenly seem cotton, it is worth going more. The pendants are noticeably more comfortable than on Audi. But it is worth shaking the capabilities of a powerful motor, when the vertical tape of the body in the straight line and in corners will immediately begin to irritate. Moreover, the car begins to be wayward on a winding road, demanding too much attention.
From the point of view of acoustic comfort, Galant is also not perfect, although it does not vote like his rival. The noise from the engine and the exhaust system, indeed, is less, but there are enough aerodynamic whistles at high speeds, and they are more noticeable.
The opposite is true
Oh, how deceiving were the first impressions! Who would first suggest that in appearance the sports Mitsubishi Galant will be a calm-complicated car, on which it is not a sin to stretch out on a good suburban highway, abounding with long straight lines. Here you can fully enjoy a herd of 170 horses, if you do not particularly strain about everything else.
Outwardly, the respectable Audi A4 suddenly appeared in the image of a provocator car, despite the solid size, a moderate engine and not at all fighting destination.
Like this! They took and changed their roles, putting the first impressions upside down.

Audi A4 debuted the four -door sedan in October 2000. Gamma of engines includes 1.6 gasoline volume; 2.0; 1.8 (with turbocharged) and 3.0 liters, as well as turbodiesel 1.9 and 2.5 liters. Along with a mechanical five -speed (for 2.5 liters - six-) gearbox, with motor and 3.0 liters of motors is also aggregated. For the most powerful modifications, all -wheel drive is provided.

Mitsubishi Galant (in some markets of legends or Aspire) was the last time in 1996. Sedan and station wagon are produced only with 2,0 gasoline engines (two different units); 2.4; 2.5; 3.0 l. The gearboxes are a five -speed mechanical (with the exception of 2.0GDI) and a four- or five -stage machine. Along with the front -wheel drive, for all modifications (except for the older engine 2.0 l), it is also full.

SUMMARY
They are really different:
Audi A4 is primarily the energy of movement, compressed into dense mass. Mitsubishi Galant is simpler, softer, more deerless. He does not plant his point of view, offering the driver a choice of behavior.
Text / Sergey Voskresensky
Photo / Vladimir Knyazev

A source: The magazine "Driving"