Test drive Audi A4 B7 2004 - 2007 Sedan

Golden mean

In the Audi lineup, the A4 family occupies the middle position. Below are compact models A2 and A3, higher expensive A6 and A8. By the number of modifications, the A4 series is the largest. 10 different engines (both gasoline and diesel), 4 variants of transmission are installed on four: 5 and 6-speed mechanical gearboxes, unavailable CVT variators and Tiptronic machines. Cars can only have a drive on the front wheels or be all -wheel drive. The buyer selects from three body options: sedan, station wagon or convertible. In the fall of 2004, a series of A4 was restored.
True, so far only cars with bodies are sedan and station wagon. Soon after the European premiere, modernized fours appeared in Russia.
 
I must say, designers from Ingolstadt did a lot of work with the A4 family. All external body parts (with the exception of the roof panel) have completely changed, the salon is significantly updated. Audi engineers have somewhat changed the power frame of the body that the A4 body has become the toughest among the European D-class cars. Along with old proven engines, new ones appeared. Fours received an improved suspension, and its elements are borrowed from the more expensive Audi models. So, the front suspension levers, the tips of the steering rods inherited from the Audi S4, the supports from the A6. In the rear suspension, most of the parts are from S4, and shock absorbers from A6. The modernization of the chassis made the character of the new four more sports. At the same time, the use of suspension elements from heavier machines improved the smoothness of the move.
 
To match the running qualities and the appearance of the new A4. The design is made in accordance with the new image of Audi, in the spirit of the concept of Nuvolari. All the same trapezoidal grille of the radiator, slanting headlights. In front, the car is easy to confuse with an expensive A6 model. In general, the four looks good in sporting, slightly aggressively. There was no trace of the old barrel -like Audi style in her appearance.
 
Let's look into the salon. There are even more similarities with expensive cars. A four -spitting steering wheel with radio and telephone management functions is borrowed from A6. The quality of the finishing of the cabin is impeccable. On the new original front seats with many adjustments, a driver of any complexion will be conveniently placed. If you move the driver's seat to the extreme position, the space is left the back, which does not mean at all that the A4 interior is close, just the range of adjustments of the front seats is very large. The luggage compartment of the four and so rather big 445 liters can be increased to 720 liters at the sedan and to 1184 liters of the station wagon, folding completely or partially the back of the rear seats.
 
A4 car with a sedan car equipped with a turbocharged engine (1.8 liters, 164 hp) and CVT variator was provided for the test. The steering wheel with a hydraulic wrap has mechanical adjustments in two directions. Already in the basic configuration, such a machine is not inferior in luxury of many a higher class car. The base includes: external mirrors with electric drive and heating, an electrical corrector of the body tilt angle, electric windows front and back, central locking with blocking all doors, trunk and gas tank cover, a CDCRT Music Center with a CD player, parking lots, airborne oil sealing filter, climate control filter With separate adjustment for the driver and front passenger, heating the front seats with individual adjustments, fog lights.
 
Apparently, Ingolstadt designers designed four primarily as a car for a driver and a front passenger. The level of comfort of the front seats surpasses even many of the higher class cars, while the convenience of placing the back leaves much to be desired. But in the ergonomics of the driver's seat, the Audi A4 unconditionally surpasses competitors. From the first minutes, you feel at home at home at home. The driver's seat is adjusted in the vertical plane, so you can install the seat high enough to see the front dimensions of the machine. Thanks to the low head restraints of the rear seat, visibility through the intra -junction mirror is also very good.
 
Both active and passive security meet the highest requirements. Four are equipped with six airbags for the driver and passenger. The latest ESP course stability system is installed on them, which includes a whole complex of electronic devices ABS, EBV, ASR, EDS. In an emergency, the driver of emergency braking Brems Assistant can help the driver.
 
When I took the Audi A4 for the test, at first I was upset. The fact is that on this day Moscow covered another Atlantic cyclone. Due to the snowfall, accompanied by a strong wind, the capital's highways turned into a skating rink. This means that it will most likely fail to evaluate the dynamic capabilities of the machine. However, the four accelerated in the snow and ice almost in the same way as on the asphalt, despite the fact that the version provided for the test has a drive only on the front wheels. That's what the combination of a traction engine and the unacceptable CVT variator means! The motor with this type of transmission is constantly associated with the drive wheels, and the torque is regulated by the accelerator pedal. Moreover, the traction force changes very smoothly, and at the same time there are no delays in delays characteristic of automatic transmission during switching. As a result, the acceleration dynamics of the CVT car is not inferior to an analogue with a manual gearbox. In addition, A4 has a good weight hanging. In the version with engines of 1.6 and 1.8 tons, the weight per and the rear wheels is distributed equally, which contributes to better clutch of the wheels with the road. When installing more powerful and, accordingly, heavier engines, this ratio is slightly disturbed, which can entail some deterioration in controllability. Therefore, a turbocharged engine is 1.8 tons, quite light and at the same time powerful (164 hp), most likely, the ideal option for this car.
 
In the standard modes of the four, it is controlled impeccably. It was not possible to evaluate controllability in the marginal conditions of movement, since Moscow roads in ice do not have extreme driving. I can say one thing: the course stability system showed itself very well, which enters into work very smoothly and with a slight delay. This allows the driver to feel that the car clings to the road to the limit.
 
The brake dynamics of the machine is beyond praise. The brakes are of good informativeness, ABS works clearly, without characteristic shocks inherent in many similar systems. The suspension copes well with the irregularities of the road surface, the blows to the body are not transmitted. In general, the A4 road qualities with a 1.8 ton engine deserve the highest rating.
 
Traditionally, cars from Ingolstadt are distinguished by a large number of modifications. What other versions of A4 can you buy in Russia? The most affordable fours are equipped with a 1.6 liter engine, 102 l. With. This engine, capable of working on gasoline with an octane number of 9195, showed itself well in Russian operating conditions. True, with him the A4 chassis cannot completely reveal its sporting potential. In addition, such versions of four are equipped only with mechanical 5-speed gearboxes. But the prices for these machines start at about $ 27,000, which corresponds to the cost of the Audi A3, the car per step is lower in the classroom. Perhaps for many buyers this will be perfect. The torque of the 1.6 engine is sufficient for daily operation, in addition, this motor is the most economical of those that are installed on four.
 
Significantly the best dynamic characteristics have a version with a 2-liter engine (131 l.). Audi A4 with a 30-valve V6 engine (218 hp) has even greater opportunities. True, here it must be taken into account that when installing a 6-cylinder engine, the perfect weight drive of the front-wheel drive machine is disturbed. Therefore, for lovers of fast driving the best version of the A4 version with all leading wheels. In addition to the V6 engine, all -wheel drive modifications of four are also equipped with 1.8. engines
 
Those who are not satisfied with the capacity of a 4-door car can advise the purchase of four with the body of the station wagon looks no less elegant than the sedan and is equipped with similar engines. Unfortunately, until Russia, A4 modifications with the latest TFSI gasoline engines (2 liters, 200 l.), FSI (3.2 l, 255 hp) and powerful, but very economical turbocharged diesel engines, are supplied to Russia 1.9 (115 l. P.), 2.0 (140 hp), 2.5 (163 hp), 3.0 (204 hp).
But sports versions of the four S4 are available. They are produced only in a full -wheel drive version, and only one V8 (4.2 l, 344 h.) Is installed on them. Such a four can accelerate to 100 km/h in less than 6 seconds. On S4, it is possible to install only one of two transmission options: 6-speed mechanics or TipTronic automatic. Like standard fours, sports versions have two types of bodies: sedan and station wagon. Outwardly, the S4 differs from the A4 radiator shaped A4, front bumpers with large air intakes, exhaust pipes and 18-inch wheels.
 
 

Source: Magazine Cars and Prices No. 13, April 04, 2005