Test drive Audi A4 B7 2004 - 2007 Sedan

Will come sideways?

Weather as to order frost and sun. Sparkling ice and rolled snow seems to be waiting for the tires of eminent all -wheel drive cars to slip along them. Maybe this time it will be possible to answer a longtime question: whose four -wheel drive is better?
BMW 325xi
BMW of the 3rd series is represented in the spring of 2005.
Body options: sedan and station wagon.
Engines: gasoline 2.03.0 l (150258 hp), diesel 2.0 and 3.0 liters (122231 hp).
Gearboxes: 6-speed mechanical (only 2.0 l), 6-speed automatic, for 2.5 and 3 l all-wheel drive transmission X-Drive.
Complete: Basic, Business, Dynamic.
Price in Russia: є31 10060 600 ($ 37 95073 900).
History is developing in a spiral: yesterday's technical solutions embodied at a new technological level become a discovery. What is the X-Drive drive? Essentially the simplest connected front wheel drive. What they once started. That's just instead of a clutch coupling, a multi -disc clutch controlled by electronics. The algorithm of the work is disclosed only in general terms: hard locking during acceleration, turning off the front wheels during maneuvering and at maximum speed, a decrease in torque at them at the entrance to the turn. How it works on ice and in the cold, we will find out a little later. In the meantime
Tires of increased mobility with an enhanced sidewall allow you to get to the place of repair without a spare tire even for two hundred kilometers. However, because of this, the choice of winter tires is very limited. Bridgestone Blizzak LM22 is probably good tires, but on the experimental car they were noticeably worn, which, of course, affected the coupling qualities. Fortunately, the behavior of the car remains predictable.
Brief portrait of BMW-325xi in motion: confident, despite slippery tires, acceleration on ice, heavy, accurate and fast steering wheel, engine with a very wide working range and pleasant voice, very clearly working gearboxes and magnificent brakes with which the finish base turns In children's fun. Dense, hard, strongly dumped pendants firmly glue the car to the road, leaving at the same time good smoothness. But their possibilities are not unlimited to go faster, and BMW is accepted meticulously repeat the profile of the road. When the conditions become even more severe, there are not enough suspension moves. The wheels periodically find themselves in the air, putting the DSC stabilization system (Dynamic Stability Control).
If under the hood of BMW in a row six, you can be sure this is a good motor. Moreover, excellent! Giveled the rivals of 0.5 l of the working volume, it is not weaker than the Audi motor, and if it weren’t for the tires, he could confidently compete with it on acceleration. True, he does not shine with efficiency: everything that is won thanks to the latest non -and -core structure and an electric coolant pump, a short main pair eats for quick overclocking.
BMW 325xi is the most impressive of the driver and passengers. But the charge of deliberate sports is too tired in everyday conditions.
General assessment 7.8
+ Original appearance and interior, spacious interior, quick machine, excellent for its volume of the motor.
- A small trunk, lack of a spare wheel, a hard suspension, a sharp stabilization after a skid, an excessively sharp steering wheel, low thresholds and a front bumper.
Subaru Legacy 3.0r Spec.b
Subaru Legacy was represented in the summer of 2003, updated in 2005, then a version of 3.0R Spec.b.
Body options: sedan and station wagon.
Engines: gasoline 2.03.0 l (165245 hp).
Gearboxes: mechanical 5- and 6-speed, 4- and 5-speed automatic.
Complete: FZ, FW, SC, AW, SW, ZW, ZK.
Price in Russia: $ 35 250 $ 54 910.
Scheme with a longitudinal opposite engine Dogma Subaru. True, a lot is changing in it. A six-cylinder atmospheric engine with adjustable phases of gas distribution, instead of McEferson, a complex multi-link is in the back, the cabin has a rich and modern look. The appearance of the modern Legasi also noticeably departs from the canons, but the proprietary Subarovski traits, like doors without a framework, have survived.
A three -liter opposition six, albeit with adjustable phases, in nature closer to the boost of motors. Possessing confident traction at small speeds, it truly reveals its potential in the interval of 4,0007,000 rpm. A six -speed manual gearbox with a close nearby and accurate switching mechanism allows you to spend the motor forces as efficiently as possible. It seems that it does not seem to do not work from the driver to work with a grip of large reserve. The branded rumble of the opposition engine is well strangled below the pickup, but at high speeds its sound dominates in the cabin. However, in our exercises, this rather helps. Sports ambitions are rarely satisfied with a modest appetite, and Subaru first lit a light bulb, signaling that the contents of the gas tank ends. True, the rivals surrendered not much later.
Sports character is also the suspension. Subaru stubbornly transfers small bumps to the body, but he behaves exemplary in the waves, confidently adhering to the chosen trajectory. I note that from the suspension with single-pipe shock absorbers, Bilstein and tires of a 40 percent profile is difficult to expect a catch. It is different with the brakes: thanks to the tires of Nokian Khakkapelita 4 Cl along the qualities at a height, but the effort and nature of the pedal movement are far from the ideal.
Subaru cannot boast of a two-zone climate control, while the rest of the equipment and the quality of the finish are at a height. But the range of driver's seat adjustment for the average growth of plus minus 15 cm. But the back is spacious.
Viewed is very pleasing. Thin racks, doors without frames make the upper part of the body transparent. And in combination with large mirrors, an almost panoramic look.
Subaru Legacy 3.0r Spec. B looks like a business class car, although it allows you to fully implement sports ambitions.
General estimate 8.0
+ A powerful, with a pronounced car, safe controllability in sliding, clear gear shift, good visibility, reasonable price.
- Increased gasoline consumption, they announce minor irregularities and engine noise, inferior to the rivals in equipment.
Audi A4 3.0 Quattro
Audi A4 is represented in the fall of 2000, modernized in the fall
2004.
Body options: sedan, station wagon, convertible.
Engines: gasoline 1.63.2 l (102255 hp), diesel 2.03.0 l (140204 hp).
Gearboxes: 5- and 6-speed mechanical, 5- and 6-speed automatic, variator.
Configurations: individual.
Price in Russia: $ 30 20860 104+options.
Under the hood is not the most fashionable engine: the latest, with a volume of 3.2 liters with direct injection of gasoline is much more powerful and more burden. And, of course, more expensive. However, to record an old engine with five valves on a cylinder, adjustable phases and intake pipeline of variable lengths not time. After all, it is unknown until the beginner will perceive our fuel with the pressure of the injection by an order of magnitude larger, and fuel equipment is more complicated.
Among the test cars, Audi is the heaviest: almost 1.7 tons. About 10 years ago, such a figure would cause a dumb, but today it is perceived for granted. Do not forget 218 horses under the hood, so the dynamics are still high. The five -speed hydromechanical automatic machine is no longer the last generation, but this is no less comfortable. In real life, losing mechanics in dynamics and economy, apparently, is even less than in test conditions.
A comfortable suspension complements good dynamics, the smooth operation of the transmission is combined with the predictability of reactions. The gear ratio of the steering is quite large so as not to strain excessive sensitivity, but at the same time allows the moderate maneuvers. It may seem slow to the driver with sports ambitions. There are no complaints about the brakes by efficiency, but by force on the pedal. It is very small, and, in addition, the intensity of braking increases markedly with a drop in speed, forcing to take the pedal.
Audi A4 an example of a balanced approach. Under the marginal conditions, not as good as rivals, but in everyday life the most pleasant satellite.
General assessment 8.7
+ A good tandem of the engine, a comfortable suspension, excellent ESP, spacious interior, large trunk, impeccable interior quality.
- the complexity of control at large sliding angles, insufficient reactive effect on the steering wheel.
Eight and circle
We chose these exercises to objectively evaluate the controllability of machines in sliding. In a circle with a diameter of 70 m, indicated by cones, you should not drive around it as quickly as possible. No restrictions on the trajectory, except for the fencing of the site. Believe me, this is not as simple as it seems to be the demolition, then the skid, and you also do not have to move off too much from the cones, otherwise the speed is greater, but the time is worse. The coating is changing every now and then: the wheels throw snow and polish the ice. Confident possession of an all -wheel drive car is required to maintain a permanent angle of drift.
The eight are two circles of a ten -meter radius that are 150 m from each other. In the middle of the gate 2 m wide, indicated by cones. They need to get into them cleanly, otherwise the result is not counted. At first glance, it is also easy: to accelerate, brake, turn, accelerate again. Here it is checked how the car enters and gets out of the turn. You experience interesting sensations, approaching the narrow gate and without extinguishing a lateral sliding to the end. To lose the gas lose speed. The trajectory must be calculated very accurately. To write out the perfect eight, a pair of movements of the steering wheel before turning is enough. Everything else stretches the gas pedal. It turns out not always, so only the best time goes to the test.
BMW with the DSC on is harmless and safe. But the operation of the system beats the hunt for fast driving the engine is very noticeable. A short press on the button can be turned off only the anti -wings system without touching stabilization. We do not recommend this mode: to disrupt the car in the skid is now easier than easy, but pulling it out. Automation does not always cope.
With a fully disconnected DSC, BMW gains a playful character: a skid at an angle of 110 degrees and a successful way out is possible! But BMW is not easy to manage. It is distinguished by very sharp reactions even on smooth ice. The work of the four -wheel drive is expressed by a simple dependence: it is more easier for gas to withstand the trajectory. The front wheels cling to the snow and ice better, and the rear hits electronics. Outwardly very impressive, but slowly. Only a quick steering wheel can fend off every second attempt to leave the trajectory. But excessively, the sharp stabilization at the exit from the skid is not happy: rude, not asphalt after all! In general, it is better to write an eight on BMW without DSC: almost a second faster. But the circle is faster with DSC, the BMW almost neutral rotation allows you to go with minimal sliding. True, this is not at all spectacular!
Subaru is not as simple as it seems. At first, it conquers the opportunity to adjust the trajectory to a greater extent gas than the steering wheel. High stability during acceleration and in turn has its negative side at low speeds to properly put Subaru before turning only by counter -mixing (before entering the turn, a slight maneuver in the opposite direction). Well, if the car stopped sliding with all four, it is almost impossible to drag it inside the turn. Therefore, the main thing is to enter the turn correctly. Then the trajectory can be corrected by one gas pedal. Having mastered this technique and getting used to the highway, feel free to count on the best time. There are no disconnected stabilization systems on Subaru. With his behavior in a bend, he owes not only a competent adjustment of the suspension and vi-Mufts in the central differential. For a small insufficient rotation, the VDC system involved in the distribution of torque between the wheels is also in the answer.
The calculation of Subaru on the prepared rider, an attempt to create a car friendly to the driver, and not a conditionally shealing road shell with crazy dynamics.
Audi preferred an electronic collar: it came just right of the all -wheel drive chassis. By the way, listening to the advice of electronics, soon learn to drive the turns correctly: just wait for the ESP to cease to correct you. Despite the not very successful weightlift, Audi enters the turn well, and gently falls into a shallow skid under the discharge of gas. In regular modes, the rest takes on the rest. Without it, control over the machine is much more complicated. Slightly gave or late with the correction of the skid Audi is already going backwards. It is not surprising that the best time in both exercises with ESP turned on.
The struggle of ideologies
BMW, contrary to the classic image of German punctuality and thoroughness, is woven from emotions, and X-Drive does not decrease them at all. Rather, on the contrary: when writing out eights with transcendental corners of the drift, you feel like Sains, McMeem and Loe in one person. What will you feel, having learned the time of passing the track, I will not say a shame! In general, if you want to impress the young lady in the right chair, choose this car. A high result (this, of course, is not about seconds) is guaranteed.
Subaru from another dough. Here the passenger is not impressed by the art of a driver, prescribing in sliding at a speed of more than 100 km/h a long arc on bare ice. But then this car in such modes can be trusted 100%.
Audi does not overcome either driver or aesthetic emotions. In ideology, a balanced pragmatism, even with disconnected ESP, he makes only reasonable decisions. Exactly verified trajectory, the minimum drift angle is the key to the fastest possible passage of the track. But on the arc, be extremely attentive to gas errors or the steering wheel does not forgive the steering wheel. And how cool the car goes with the ESP on! Allows you to slide a little and interferes only when it is really necessary. If you recall the leadership of Audi in comfort, then the choice of the best car for winter roads is obvious.
Well, which of three is closer to the ideal? Much depends on the driver's preferences. Here are a way to combine the comfort of the audi, the BMW groovy character and the reliability of Subaru control using electronics is probably possible. But setting up and refinement of a quick all -wheel drive machine is thin. Would not have turned out sideways
A. FOMIN: How many drivers are able to truly evaluate all the nuances of management? Agree, comfort, convenience for ordinary real driving, the quality of the finish is much more understandable. It is no accident that the point system is focused on consumer qualities. And from the point of view of an emotional tester, the best, of course, Subaru.
   


Sergey Voskresensky
 

Source: The magazine "Driving"