Test drive Audi A4 B7 2004 - 2007 Sedan

The art of listening

As you know, the name Audi is formed from the Latin verb to listen. Sergey Kanunnikov listened to the latest A4. Photo by the author and audi.
 
CHORAL SINGING
A strange sensation: you like to slow down no less than accelerate. The Germans definitely unraveled the secret of how to bring together the wisdom of geometry, the subtleties of the selection of materials, the severity of the technology in the manufacture of all parts and the thoroughness of the assembly. As a result, on any, even the easiest pressing the pedal, the car responds quickly, clearly and exactly as you want.
I managed to try Audi-A4 brakes at the training ground. Under the left wheels is a smooth wet coating, under the right dry concrete. Speed \u200b\u200b80 km/h, pedal to the floor! ABS is clearly triggered, the steering wheel only shudders a little, but the car continues to go straight. By the end of the brake path, I, causing the discontent of the instructor, even for a moment I release the steering wheel. In general, the tester of the Audi Rights Normal person does not do this. But the car, in response to my dashing, did not even twitch the electronics works clearly and correctly. An obedient car ...
Audi-A4 has become more solid and impressive. A formidable facial expression is slightly smoothed out by headlights with a broken strip of daylight like Senbernar's sad eyes. Inside the four is slightly less than expected. No, not at all crowded. But if in front, having moved the seat and lowering it, you find yourself in a pit from which it is impossible to control, then behind the driver of medium height is comfortable, but not phenomenally spacious.
Ergonomics is verified to the smallest detail, the finish is good. Unless the middle part of the steering wheel is overly plastic compared to a leather rim. But the seats are a good compromise. Neither the pillow nor the back is clinging even fat, but the stiffness and good shape are tuned into the working pose.
Paradoxes of the configuration: an all-wheel drive machine with a 3-liter diesel engine and ... manual adjustments of the chair. However, the burghers are partially wealthy precisely because they are economical. In the plus to a cozy salon, a spacious trunk and an easily folding back of the rear seat. What else is needed? Of course, outstanding running qualities. We have already talked about individual general terms, in which Audi-A4 versions are similar, we have already talked. Now let's talk about individual.
Duets of engines and transmission
Three diesel engines and two gasoline units are still a set for A4. The most powerful versions are 3-liter diesel and gasoline 3.2 liters of all-wheel drive. I did not have time to ride a car with a 224-horsepower unit. But he put it off if there was no accident time remained. Of course, the indicators are impressive, and the decoration beckons. But all this is mainly in demand by gourmets, which are important to have something expensive and unusual.
It will be much more popular, especially in Russia, there will be a 1.8-liter machine with a mechanical six-speed gearbox. This car is not a rocket, but it goes quite confidently. The clutch pedal, at first, seemed long, but ten minutes later I forgot about it. The motor with a good moment does not require frequent gear. However, if you need, you do it with pleasure the lever is pleasant not only to the touch, but also in work.
A 3-liter diesel with a mechanical transmission and all-wheel drive showed himself perfectly. Powerful acceleration, capable of delighting even lovers to supervise with minimal noise, and at high speeds the engine is not heard at all. The motor is already trapped already from 1200 rpm. But why does he need a six -speed gearbox? You can, of course, select the most economical or, on the contrary, dynamic mode, but in the real life of drivers with similar desires and there are few skills.
My choice of Audi A4 2.7 TDI. Subjectively, acceleration is a little worse than that of a 3-liter machine. After all, here you need to work only with the right foot, and the endless transmission provides even, confident acceleration. Well, the motor is only a little louder and only on the acceleration. Such a car on average is very economical, and all -wheel drive can be donated to save fuel and money. In Germany, a base car with a 1.8-liter engine costs 25,900 euros. A4 will appear only in the spring of prices have not yet been determined.
Great hearing
From Moscow to Togliatti or, say, Izhevsk would go to Audi-A4 without pleasure: the suspension transfers information about each pebble. The controllability is appropriate. He traveled at the training ground with a snake, and it is clear on public roads: the steering wheel in the bend is easy to immediately turn to the desired angle, the car reacts to your movement quickly and collected. There is in A4 and cunning: Audi Drive Select allows you to independently select the steering mode, for example, comfortable or dynamic. The toy, of course, is interesting, but the doubt of its necessity still remains. I can hardly imagine how, after a working day in the office, the owner, gathered home or to the store, sets up the steering wheel, say, depending on the route ...
For me, a device that signals the intersection of the white line on the asphalt without turning on the turn indicator is more useful. However, in our open spaces, many will not even immediately understand: how much does the steering wheel tremble?
Not only the brakes and steering, but all the auxiliary devices Audi-A4 work softly and delicately. It is no secret that modern cars filled with electronics often resemble computer games: it seems to be interesting, but somehow a ponaroshka. A4 is not one of those, although his obedience to the driver is not at all implicitly and thoughtlessly. After all, the most experienced and assembled can also be mistaken! But the car instantly delves into the essence of the problem, advises, unobtrusively, but correctly corrects. In general, Audi knows how to listen to the interlocutor, and this is talent, to a certain extent, even art.
The newest in Audi-A4
All engines with direct injection. The steering with the characteristics variable at the request of the driver. A stray transmission with eight (!) Virtual steps.
The young car Audi A4 is intelligent, educated, not poor looking for adequate partners.
Born three times
The company calls Audi-80 (in the USA Fox) 1972 the ancestor of the current Audi-A4. The front-wheel drive machine was equipped with a 1.3-liter 55-horsepower engine. The A4 series started in 1994. But, strictly speaking, the countdown can be carried out even from the 1934th, when a front-wheel drive Audi-Front 225 with a in-line 6-cylinder engine with a capacity of 40 hp appeared.
  
 

Source: The magazine "Driving"