Test Drive Audi A4 B8 since 2007 Sedan

We need a comfortable "European" to 1,600,000 r.

Wrongs to acquire a high-quality and comfortable European car, I have almost stopped in my choice on Audi A4, as suddenly in the field of my view, it has fallen quite interested in the 2012 VOLVO S60 car with the T5 motor.

Alexey Rezni, project manager, driving experience 6 years old, goes to Honda Jazz, wants a high-quality and comfortable European car, a budget of 1,600,000 p.

Requirements for the car

IMAGE
After many years of ownership of the Japanese car and motorcycle, you want to try something from famous European brands.

STYLE
There is no particular importance.

Economy
We do not like to burn gasoline, but for the sake of good dynamic characteristics is ready to make an exception.

Challenges
I want excellent handling and sustainability on the track. I go quietly, but good dynamics are important for trouble-free motion.

INTERIOR
Comfortable seats are important, good ergonomics nothing should be diverting attention and demand extra movements.

EQUIPMENT
I like it when the car helps in driving both in the domestic plan (ACP, cruise control, chambers, etc.), and in terms of safety (ABS, ESP, etc.). The more automation, the better.


VOLXO S60 1 189 000 r.
Selected because stuffed with high-tech systems and is known for its safety.

Audi A4 1 564 900 p.
Selected, because it is famous for its quality and driving characteristics.


Wrongs to acquire a high-quality and comfortable European car, I have almost stopped in my choice on Audi A4, as suddenly in the field of my view, it has fallen quite interested in the 2012 VOLVO S60 car with the T5 motor.

The reason for my interest was the sum of several factors: first, for the comparable price, the Swedish manufacturer offers noticeably richer equipment than Audi; Secondly, I am heard about the legendary safety of these machines, and finally, despite its Chinese hosts, Volvo remains a high-quality and comfortable European car, which, in theory, should be worthy competition to German cars.

In order to find out this or not, and finally decide on the choice, I decided to conduct a more substantive comparison of these models.

Audi A4 2.0 TFSI Quattro S-Tronic

STYLE
Of course, worked out and memorable appearance. VERY GOOD

Challenges
Wonderful handling and cheerful dynamics. GREAT

INTERIOR
A little closed, but everything you need and convenient in access. NORM

Economy
Surprise low fuel consumption for cars with ACP, turbo video and full drive. CLASS!

Equipment in standard
Very modest, and all additional options significantly increase the price of the machine. IT'S A PITY


ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
+
Great handling and START / STOP system.
-
High price and scarcity of the basic version of the configuration.
 
SPECIFICATIONS

Brand and Model - Audi A4 2.0 TFSI QUATTRO S TRONIC
Dimensions - 4701x1826x1427 mm
Engine - gasoline, with turbocharged, inline, 4-cylinder., 1984 cm3, 211 hp at 43006000 min-1
Transmission - 7-speed S Tronic
Dynamics - 245 km / h; 6.5 s to 100 km / h


In terms of exterior, Audi definitely wins: it can be seen that a lot of labor was invested in the design of the German car. Volvo, of course, is also pretty in its own way, but almost indistinguishable from most of the mass cars.


It can be seen that in the design of the car invested by Labor

Audi Everyone is trying to emphasize the dynamism and sportiness: low landing, seats with high side support, short steering wheel ... and completely stunning handling! The car is very odorous for its sizes, but stands on the strip and listening to the steering wheel, as in a computer game. The suspension is adjusted for a dynamic ride, but, nevertheless, it is much softer than VOLVO. Small roadbed defects are imperceptible at all, and large, like lying policemen, do not force the car to bounce. You get used to excellent brakes so quickly that after a while, the ride style becomes more sharp.


Outside the trunk does not look in bulk, but there is more than enough space

However, the Audi Sports Spirit brought with him a small beam of flaws. The first point here is the adjustment of the suspension and the engine. From the whole five modes of the suspension, the practical meaning I found only in two: comfortable and sports. And if in the first car rides annoyingly tight, but very smoothly, then in a dynamic car begins to behave very nervously, then kicking in the back when accelerated, then trembling with all the body at switching down when slowing. In addition, Audi turned out to be pretty low when landing, I often taped the head of the roof.


There is a little closed on the driver's seat, but all controls are comfortable

Of the interesting features of Audi, it is worth noting the Start / Stop system that turns off the motor during stopping. With this thing I encountered for the first time, and at first she, admit a little discouraging. As far as I know, most of this system are immediately disconnected and driving across the old fashioned. But I tried to get used to it, and, I must say, after a while I just stopped noticing moments when the engine stalls. Yes, of course, you need a period of adaptation (for example, if the engine starts with the wheels twisted, the steering wheel may even knock out of the hands), but it's nice, standing in a deaf plug, to realize that you do not wake inxid gasoline and do not pollute the atmosphere .


Volvo S60 T5.


STYLE
The usual soap-shaped form. SO-SO

Challenges
The 5-cylinder turbocharged engine issues a good dynamics. OKAY

INTERIOR
The cabin is spacious, and the ergonomics of all interfaces is carefully thought out. Stunning

Economy
A powerful and heavy car is quite actively consumed gasoline. Suitable

Equipment in standard
All major buns are already in the database, the maximum equipment differs only in the details of the interior. Chic


ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
+
Equipment, wonderful ergonomics, spacious interior and, of course, the price.
-
Fuel consumption.

SPECIFICATIONS
Brand and Model - Volvo S60 2.5 T5 AT
Dimensions - 4628x1865x1484 mm
Engine - gasoline, with turbocadd., 5-cylinder., 2521 cm3, 249 hp at 5500 min-1
Transmission - 6-speed ACP
Dynamics - 245 km / h; 7.2 s to 100 km / h


Some disappointment from the appearance of the S60 compared to A4 instantly disappears, it is worth getting behind the steering wheel of the Swedish car. Inside this is a real spacecraft! In addition to the fact that for the price of almost basic version A4, you can take the S60 luxury package with a navigator, adaptive xenon, hatch and a rear view camera, there are such options in Volvo, which in principle does not happen on AUDI. For example, BLIS monitors cars that are behind in the neighboring rows. If an orange light is burning, you do not need to rebuild. And in the S60 there are a restraint system and the Volvo-On-Call system (control of the machine from the smartphone).


The dashboard with the number of buttons resembles the aircraft

I have no complaints about the convenience of Audi management agencies, but the difference becomes clear with the minimum exploitation of S60. Where in A4, the telephone number must be typing inconvenient wheels, the Volvo offers a full-fledged digital keyboard. If the gearbox mode in A4 should be selected, repeatedly pressing one button and watching the small indicator, then in Volvo allocated one well available to a large button for each mode. A4 is evolving, if you get out of the car, forgetting to turn off the headlight, and Volvo silently turns it off itself. The entire interface is intuitive and easily accessible, the leadership had to climb only once to find out how to make the car automatically fold the mirrors after the closure of the central lock.


Adaptive xenon headlights are funny to rotate after the ignition is turned on

As for the management, compared to A4, of course, some barge-capacity car is noticeable, as if you sit in a huge sedan of the representative class, but it is quite possible to get used to it. Moreover, thanks to the more massive Volvo sizes, I did not touch the head of the roof, and more space for passengers and baggage.


Passengers are offered a remote control of the automotive media center

Total, if you drop such undoubted, but unavailable pluses of Audi, like a stylish appearance and prestige of the brand, in the dry residue I came to opposition to the excellent controllability of A4 and cosmic filling with stunning Ergonomics S60. It is definitely something among these two factors to choose not easy, so the final point in the selection should put the price. And it significantly pulls the scales in favor of the Swedish model.


Instruments are informative and perfectly read at night

MY CHOICE
The connoisseurs of German cars will, of course, are surprised, but my choice in this case is Volvo S60. I am not going to somehow stand out on the roads, neither to emphasize my status nor aggressively move in the stream, most likely it will be completely ordinary, boring car operation. And in this regard, I am much important than the unmatched ergonomics and the proposed Volvo functionality, which is able to remove part of the routine actions to manage the machine with me.

EDITOR'S CHOICE
We were really a very difficult choice: excellent handling or electronic assistants, sports style or maximum comfort, Teutonic spirit or Swedish security. Audi is famous for ergonomics and handling, and if the second point is nevos, then according to Ergonomics Volvo is subjectively better. But S60 consumes more fuel and less clear in motion. The basic equipment of S60 includes almost all possible helping systems, but Audi is more stylish and sports ... There is no single advantage of any of the cars presented, they are simply suitable for different people. Therefore, opinions in the editorial board were divided and to choose something one thing, had to throw a coin. And the ruble, which in this case sews several thousands of themselves, voted for Volvo S60.
 

A source: Magazine 5 Wheel [August 2012]