Test drive Audi A4 B7 2004 - 2007 Sedan

Uneven battle?

Audi A4 DTM Edition. Price: $ 60 400. On sale: April 2007;
Mercedes-Benz C200 Kompressor. Price: from 34 100. On sale: March 2007
 
The radically transformed C-Class from Mercedes-Benz gave rise to a lot of controversy in the automobile world. Is he good or bad? Everyone will find their arguments. But everything is known in comparison.
 
Mercedes-Benz C200
 
The latest novelty among premium brands in this class. With its aggressive and absolutely different appearance, the new C-Class from Mercedes-Benz attracted many new customers. Now Mercedes-Benz will have to stand in line. S-Class has radically transformed not only externally, but also inside. But the ergonomics remained the same.
 
Audi A4 DTM
 
The admirers of the Audi brand, who are with Sports versions S and RS, can come closer to their dream, purchasing A4 with a DTM Edition package. Having overpayed about $ 6,000 for it, the client will receive a lot: a sports body kit, a two-hundredth motor, all-wheel drive and S-line sports suspension. The uniqueness of the car is also that it is released by a limited party.
 
It is impossible to say that the emergence of a new C-Class from Mercedes-Benz is not afraid of competitors. But the fact that the automobile market was replenished with a strong player is impossible to deny. The novelty turned out to be worthy. The new design is the intricacies of the features of the representative classes, such as CL and S, with elements of the previous fashion of the brand. The legendary wide false radiator grille with a large three -beam star in the middle returned.
 
But competitors are not asleep. And Audi introduced an interesting new product in this segment. This is A4 with the DTM Edition sports package installed on it. The name is chosen for a reason. The design contains the elements used on real racing boards of the DTM class: air intakes in bumers, special species head optics, carbon spoilers.
 
But, if you compare the prices of these two cars and their configuration, it may seem that they are far from competitors. What unites them? Only the general class and two -liter engines under the hoods? The loss of Mercedes-Benz seems obvious. Is it really so?
 
The difference in price is about $ 15,000, and if you exclude Audi all -wheel drive, then even less. The price of 34 500 on Mercedes-Benz is indicated only for the basic configuration. Having bought a few more additional options, you look, there will be no difference.
 
When comparing the technical characteristics of cars, the advantage is clearly not in favor of the new C-Class. Audi has honest two liters and turbines, as a result of which the engine gives out 200 horsepower. The numbers 200 on the trunk of Mercedes-Benz, cunning unconditionally should not be believed. In fact, the volume of the motor is 1796 cm3. It’s good that the compressor is still available. It seems that here it is, an occasion to be upset, to count the defeat of Mercedes-Benz. In this situation, and even in the presence of Audi, Mercedes-Benz should be a snail compared to the charged A4 DTM Edition. But the difference is 16 hp. Not so great that you can see, comparing speed indicators. Acceleration to 100 km/h differs by only 0.9 seconds: 7.7 in Audi versus 8.6 for Mercedes-Benz. This is almost impossible to catch this. Comparing the maximum speeds of the tested cars, one can only be glad: they are equal and are 235 km/h.
 
This is where cars really differ most, it is in management. With a speed set, the steering wheel in each of the competitors is heavy, but in Audi to a greater extent. Mercedes-Benz preserves the line between comfort and safety, so the efforts only allow you to not lose touch with the road. Audi has a much more informative feedback, you can clearly control what is happening with the wheels at one or another.
 
At high speeds, it is more pleasant to manage the Mercedes-Benz C200. He clearly holds the trajectory. The stabilization system correctly, without early intervention, corrects the driver’s actions, allowing you to pass on the verge of sliding the rear axle, that is, as quickly and efficiently as possible. With Audi you have to be more careful, especially on the asphalt. It is exhibited in the bend very, very reluctantly, and it does not hold the trajectory perfectly. The demolition of the front axle begins early, so before turning it is better to slow down a little. This behavior is largely due to imperfect car weighty. The engine hangs over the front axle with all its mass.
 
Suspensions of both cars have tolerable energy intensity. But the Mercedes-Benz suspension has greater elasticity. Get a breakdown on Audi is more likely. In addition, despite the sports setting of S-line suspension, Audi is more located to build up. A4 DTM Edition does not even help the existing aerodynamic body kit, which, in theory, should press the car to the road more strongly.
 
Automatic gearboxes installed in cars will give pleasure from driving to any driver. Each of them has three operating modes: drive, sport and manual. In sports, Mercedes-Benz is slow, not to feel overload. The engine is easily removed to 7000 min-1. Acoustic comfort is practically not violated. To feel a real drive, you need to go into manual mode. The machine starts to keep the momentum in the transmission, but does not change it under the discharge of gas. An interesting point: upon reaching the same 7000 min-1 in manual mode, the automatic box itself goes to a higher gear. But, having dropped the speed, he does not do this in the reverse sequence, so he has to lower the transmission himself. Convenient or not, it's hard to say. You get used to it.
 
Audi has the fastest sport mode. Manual mode is better to use if you want to quickly drive a bunch of steep turns in one gear. In other cases, it makes no sense to use it. Tiptronic Audi quickly adapts to the driving style. Several sharp extensions and braking, and the reaction to pressing the gas pedal increases significantly. At the same time, each acceleration will be accompanied by a roar of a moody exhaust system, which begins to bake from 25003000 min-1.
 
As for the ergonomics of the salon, the Audi has more sports, and in Mercedes-Benz comfort. The seats in A4 from Recaro are provided for by the DTM Edition package, have good lateral support. Mercedes-Benz boasts with seats, more like comfortable chairs. Even in the sports modifications of this brand, the seats are not always distinguished by good side support, to say about civilian models.
 
But what is most upset in the new Mercedes-Benz new product is the quality of the materials of the salon decoration materials. There are many aluminum inserts on the doors and the front console, but the quality of the plastic is low. Even, it would seem, it is no longer in such a fashionable Audi trim he is much more pleasant and softer to the touch.
 
Although both cars have similar technical characteristics and belong to the same class, they are still bright representatives of different directions. Audi sports associations, and Mercedes-Benz club hobbies.
 
Mercedes-Benz C200 Compressor 34 100
 
Driving
The steering, automatic KP, suspension all allows you to perfectly feel the trajectory.
 
Salon
The salon upset the quality of the materials used.
 
Comfort
Each of the passengers of the cabin will be able to accommodate comfortably. There is enough space behind even for three.
 
Safety
In addition to the main security systems, there is an adaptive brake system Adaptive Brake.
 
Price
The new attractive appearance is largely justified by the excitement around these expensive cars.
 
Audi A4 DTM $ 60 400
 
Driving
DTM Edition is not to occupy. Only she needs to be able to use.
 
Salon
Materials of the finish to the touch. Many carbon inserts bring an element of sports.
 
Comfort
Given the sports orientation of the car, I had to do a little comfort: you have to get used to the hard suspension.
 
Safety
Many pillows and systems guard.
 
Price
Although the DTM Edition set on A4 costs quite reasonable money, the total amount is overstated.
 
Technical characteristics of the MB C200 Kompressor Audi A4 DTM Edition
Dimensions, mm 4581/1770/1447 4586/1772/1427
Equipped mass, kg 1490 1535
Full mass, kg 1970 2085
Base, mm 2760 2648
Fuel tank volume, l 66 63
Trunk volume, l 475 460
Max. Speed, km/h 235 235
Acceleration time to 100 km/h, from 8.6 7.7
Control consumption of fuel, l/100 km 8.2 9.4
The engine is in a row, 4-cylinder, compressor, 4-cylinder, turbocharged
Power, L.S. 184 200
Transmission 6-speed automatic 6-speed automatic
Rear -wheel drive of QUATTRO rear -wheel drive
Disc brakes (front - ventilated) disk (front - ventilated
Suspension transverse/trapezoidal levers of tricarvacia/multi -link
Tire size in front 205/55R16 235/45R17
The size of the tires from the back 205/55R16 235/45R17
 
Our opinion
 
Cars are very similar in technical indicators, even despite Audi all -wheel drive. But they are intended for different segment of customers. Who needs a bright appearance, a constant sensation of flight, that will like the Audi A4 with an exclusive sports package DTM Edition. If measured movement with rare speed ranges on autarts is required, the new Mercedes-Benz is ideal. But even despite the nimble character, the Audi A4 DTM Edition to catch up with Mercedes-Benz in its charisma and thoroughness is unlikely to be possible.
 
 
Text: Maxim Egorov
Photo: Sergey Krestov
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [08.21.2007]