Test drive Audi A4 B6 2001 - 2004 sedan

Give chic!

The appearance of the second -generation S40 on the market was timed to the next revocation of the Volvo brand. The Volvo S40 duel with Audi A4 seems the most justified. Four is an excellent, prestigious machine of an advanced brand, moreover, deprived of that hopeless cultness that prevents it from compiling an objective judgment about it.
 

The appearance of the second -generation S40 on the market was timed to the next revocation of the Volvo brand. In words, we received another premium card, but in fact - the youngest model of this brand, which does not show a single sign of democracy. Unlike his predecessor. In pink dreams, Volvo managers in the column direct competitors of the freshly baked S40 confidently enter the BMW of the third series, Lexus IS and even Mercedes-Benz C-class! Isn't it self -confident?

 

If you decide, the S40 has no hypnotic attractiveness that its German rivals possess (in any case, indicated by the Swedes themselves). The acquisition of Volvo is unlikely to call anyone the goal of life, in contrast to the purchase of the same BMW or Mercedes-Benz. To achieve the status of magical lust requires decades of advanced and reliable technical solutions, sports victories, impeccable taste and accurate marketing. One or two models, no matter how good they are, cannot do in any way.
 

Therefore, we boldly delete threek and cake. It is unlikely that they will give in to the S40, and if they give in, then a little, which will not affect the confidence in their correctness of their potential owners and just fans. Lexus? It will be chosen primarily for reliability, and no criticism will work here. But, by the way, this issue is generally removed from the agenda: the IS model to Russia is not officially imported. Gray three -year -olds from Canada - please. Maybe Saab 9-3? Also hard. Two Swedish stamps have been coexisting peacefully for many years, each of them has its own clientele, crossing relatively rarely. Why should it change the Saabov dynamic eccentricity to the Volvovsky cozy scope? Unless under the load of lived years. This is time. And secondly, the hypothetical victory over the Saab 9-3 will not bring satisfaction: and before S40 confidently opposed the 900th. Where is the progress?
 
The duel with Audi A4 seems the most justified. Four is an excellent, prestigious machine of an advanced brand, moreover, deprived of that hopeless cultness that prevents it from compiling an objective judgment about it. Unfortunately, we were not able to get a version with a 2.4-liter engine that could become a worthy pair of a 170-horsepower S40. But the real levels of brands will let us compare the modest 1.6-liter A4. Perhaps this is even for the better, since it is simple cars that are the most honest. Yes, and the S40 we got in a wealth of options does not shine. And in fairness, in the comparative table, we give the technical characteristics of the Audi A4 2.4 with an automaton (or rather, with the variator, since the 170-horsepower A4 A4 are not put).
 
Finance. The price of $ 29,400 was set for the most affordable Volvo S40 2.4 (140 hp). Version 2.4i (170 hp) costs from 31,900 dollars. The machine adds $ 1550 to this figure. After a few months, cars will appear cheaper, with engines of 1.6-2.0 liters. Audi is noticeably more expensive: prices start at $ 27,400, and this is a 1.6-liter modification (101 hp), however, with good standard equipment. The start price for the 170 -horsepower A4 2.4 V6 - 42 130 dollars with six -speed mechanics and 43,290 dollars with a variator.
 
Volvo receives some head start: it is from a needle, but slowly, aging A4 is already waiting for restyling. Nevertheless, the age difference is hardly perceptible. Both cars are typical representatives of branded styles. S40 looks larger and stronger, although in reality the four is eight centimeters longer. Less embossed Audi is easier to design, but more refined.

   

Judging the quality of the assembly for the work of door locks, then the preference should be given to Volvo: the doors are closed in Japanese easily and silently. Inside, the S40 does not make such a strong impression as Audi. Hard light plastic, a bald front panel, even the famous cobra of the central console on the basic versions is painted with a non -casual silver. In the meantime, it is the central console that is the main highlight of the car. Piece of Art, the subject of art! Extremely spectacular and competent placement of buttons and handles, entertaining display graphics. The beauty! Only the material should be different: for example, imitating wood or completely transparent, called Swedes Ice Aqua (frozen water). Fortunately, in the options all this is present.
 
And S40 also has an excellent steering wheel and ignition lock in all respects, fashionably carried out on the front panel. Devices with two dials and secondary signs integrated in them are also released. But why was it possible to make a handle of control of the outer light so small, and even with huge moves? You can’t imagine worse on purpose!
 

Ergonomics Audi A4 is perfect. You can only complain about the low-located climate control unit, but the picture is the same in the S40. And so - chairs with a convenient profile, sufficient ranges of all adjustments, understandable buttons. The design of the salon is without attractions, which, however, is compensated by its prosperity. Soft plastic, coupled with polished inserts and a neat chrome decor, delight hands and eyes. And all this is far from the most expensive equipment!
 
Volvo front seats are also good, but Audi win only in shoulder support. The rear seat is less hospitable: flat, without any lateral support. But in the Audi, the second row of seats is almost as comfortable that the first. However, this does not solve the problem of tightness: in both cars, the rear passengers can hardly attach their legs. And trying to take a more vertical position, you can also support the ceiling with a theme.
The trunk are not impressive either. According to the container, they seem to be nothing, but the openings are configured not in the best way. The S40 is again worse: protruding rear lights and a short cover will not allow the use of a cargo compartment to all width and depths.

   

The Volvo five -cylinder engine is a real excellent student: responsive, elastic, quite steep on top. The machine is removed easily and at ease, quickly transferred to the range of three -digit speeds. Alas, the branded automatic machine GEARTRONIC is not so refined. In calm modes, it is a sin to complain about him, but it is worth going actively his adaptability is distinguished by excessive enthusiasm - the degree is suddenly replaced by nervousness. GEARTRONIC begins to switch the gears when necessary and not necessary, sharply and little predictable. The manual regime is also not so hot: too great the delay in the reactions of the box to the driver’s commands. Although one plus is still available. Upon reaching the limit revolutions, the motor hangs at the red zone - GearTronic does not go further. With combat passage of turns, this feature becomes fundamentally important.
 
Naturally, 1.6-liter A4 for a 2.4-liter S40 is not hijacked. Therefore, we will not talk about accelerated dynamics. Let's go immediately to the brakes. On Audi, they delight the transparency of the drive and intuitive understanding of the work. Volvo has one property - a noticeable free pedal. True, he pays attention only to the background of Audi.
 
Both cars steer. But differently. S40 is more acute, more exciting, less roll. The turning of the four is closer to neutral, in the turns the machine is more stable, with a denser reactive force on the steering wheel, especially in the near -Zone, the characteristic of its change is more informative. Thanks to the precision adjustment of the Audi suspension, it is perceived as an assembled, whole car, volvo is more harsh, more energetic. A4 - Experience, S40 is youth.
 
With the smoothness of the course in both cases, the complete order. S40 perfectly copes with minor irregularities, A4 meets more sedate passage of large pardy. Nevertheless, Audi wins the comfort of driving: excellent sound insulation becomes a decisive argument in her favor. In the salon, the magpies are more distinctly auditioned by both the sound of the motor and road noises.
 
So, Volvo of the new premium epoch did not prevail over the younger representative of the German luxury three. Yes, and you should not count on such a blitz-will. But if you compare the previous S40 with the previous A4 was simply incorrect, then this distance was reduced to a minimum. We are dealing with a rapidly evolving product that has carried out a qualitative leap in many areas. Is he worthy of premium consoles?
 
I would say that S40 is on the threshold of an elite club. To obtain a cherished membership card, the car, in addition to the purchased gloss, needs chic: a feeling of luxury in the cabin, noble harmony of manners. S40 has the inclinations of the leader - it should not be canons, but is ready to set the standards. And in general, the Volvo brand is confidently following the path of increasing its status - the path that the same Audi almost passed. And for the Germans, an unforgivable mistake will be ignoring the ambitions and successes of the northern neighbor. Years old, after seven, the balance of power is able to transform beyond recognition.
 
Autography
Audi A4/B6
Predecessor
A4/B5 (1994)
Premiere
october 2000
Body
4-dv. sedan, station wagon, convertible
Engines
1.6-3.0 l (103-220 l.
Production
Germany
Expected replacement
2007
 
Autography
Volvo S40 II
Predecessor
S40 (1995)
Platform
Ford P1
Premiere
september 2003
Body
4-dv. sedan
Engines
2.0-2.4 l (136-220 l.
Production
Belgium
Expected replacement
2011-12
 

Audi A4 is provided by Audi Center Petersburg, an official dealer Audi AG.
Volvo S40 was provided by Karline, an official dealer of Ford Motor Co. And Volvo Cars AB, as well as the official distributor of Mitsubishi Motors.
 
Text: Leonid Klyuyev
Photo: Vsevolod Konovalov
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 

Source: Wheel magazine [No. 82/2004]