Test Drive Audi A4 B8 since 2007 Sedan

Socket on the highway

There is nothing surprising in that usually every new generation of cars becomes larger than the previous one. We always want a little more than we already have: more comfort, more space, more security. This is exactly what happened with the new Audi A4. In size, it is already equal to A6 ten years ago or ... A8 20 years ago there was not yet, but with its predecessor, the new A4 is quite comparable.
In connection with the achievement of the new A4 of the sizes of the marginal flagships, the choice of space for the European debut can be considered very appropriate. Sardinia is very convenient for tests at any time of the year thanks to a soft climate and relatively empty and sufficient winding mountain roads, so to speak, a purely practical side. We also remembered that this second largest island in the Mediterranean is known as the resort of millionaires. Now, in connection with the inflation of Sardinia, it would be necessary to become the resort of billionaires, but prevented the overall lifting standard of living: representatives and middle class allowed themselves, so the average level of vacationers grew not so noticeable.
So and Audi A4. It is still on the memory of economically active and now generations of a machine of such sizes and with such a level of comfort, only the richests could afford. Today we see the car of the category that some of our colleagues are called a business class, and others do not even give it such a title, limited to an average or family-friendly descriptions. But it is still the third step on top in the Audi range, and the fourth bottom in the European classification is there a description of the upper middle class to Audi A4 (and to the class D in general) is suitable for accurately.
And something available to the A4 owner is even on the models class above the rarity. Here is a very useful, for example, a socket. The usual home socket is 230 volts. And it is in Audi A4 that you can already be seen right in front of the rear seat. True, this is an option, but it is (in Germany) only 135 Oir. The middle class must be practical, and in general for 25,900 (the price in Germany) can be affordable to be demanding. Including to appearance.
With the design of prestigious brands is not easy. On the one hand, it is necessary to seriously refer to traditions, because the palaces in the style of constructivism does not happen. On the other hand, how do you do without fashionable trends in general and new technologies in particular? Especially when it comes to such a brand like Audi, which made technical avant-garde with his motto. Therefore, traditions have to create themselves. And here Audi A4 is simply amazing in its clarity example of the development of the same idea. The previous generation looks like a sketch of the current one. The lines that on B7 would seem to be scheduled to be boldly and confidently hard.
Moreover, as the predecessor was somewhat more than his predecessor, it became even more bold and expressive. Or expressive what means the same, but in another language. Here a considerable role is playing the rib on the sidewall, borrowed from A6. About the older resembles the instrument panel, which seems to simply copy the A6 on the scale of 9:10. Here we will celebrate one of the few drawbacks of the new A4: the screen is very artificially inscribed in the central part. This is definitely our excessive picklight: because it is clear that the screen will be rectangular, and the panel is all diverse. But the headlights, too, were once pupitively round or square, but the designers achieved their own and technology managed to provide them with freedom in choosing forms. The form of screens, in contrast to the forms and size of headlights, is not regulated by the standards the countries of the world, so it's time to think that they can be adapted to the instrument panel. But it will begin, of course, not with A4, but from those models that for top managers. A4 already is too saturated with new items. Moreover, many of them are new execution of already known systems. Here's how we will measure tire pressure? Sensors are accurate and reliable, but difficult. The calculation of the velocity of the wheel is cheaper, but inaccurate. Audi uses a system that calculates pressure changes in the frequency of wheel oscillation frequency. No additional components, and just another program in ESP. Germans for this will have to pay only 80 (French 90) noticeable savings compared to 300-500 per set of pressure sensors. Although for the program, of course, so much is a pity. Maybe the compilers of the next platinum software for the Savelian market still shaken and her?
Almost revolutionary part of the new A4 steering. Here, as well as at competitors, also an opportunity to change the gear ratio of the steering mechanism, and also allow electronics to control the ESP to control. But Audi instead of a complex planetary gearbox uses a wave transmission, the famous application on a variety of spacecraft. And in this case it is important that such a mechanism is much easier and more compact. The electric motor can interfere with the control, changing the gear ratio of the steering drive. In the parking lot, you need to turn from the stop until the stop is only twice, but at high speeds it would take four turns if someone had to turn the wheels to the maximum angle at the speed of 200 km / h. ESP helps the driver not only in turn, but also in situations. When the car fell on a variety of coating. For example, the wheels of one side fell into a puddle or ice. The electric motor corrects the angle of rotation of the wheels, so the machine retains stability. Moreover, the driver does not notice the help of ESP. So that we can appreciate the work of dynamic the steering department provided us with the opportunity to drive at this half-ride site first with the usual steering wheel, and then with an electronic assistant. The work of ESP is completely invisible, just problems due to wet asphalt disappear the car is completely smooth. But the steering wheel will noticeably vibrate when crossing the markup lines. Although French companies have long been offered a similar system, Audi has found a twice new approach: and vibrates the steering wheel instead of seats, and they are watching no sensors under the bumper, but cameras in the windshield. True, this LANE ASSIST system is supposed to cost more than 500 and requires the installation of a special steering wheel in 370.
Even at the most accessible version without any dynamic steering wheel, with a conventional front-wheel drive and a well-known system of direct injection of gasoline FSI power in already quite human 120 hp. Everything turns out just wonderful: Audi is not in vain is considered a brand with a bias in drive characteristics. But it is better, of course, do not save and choose a machine with a full-wheel drive Quattro. Now, as on RS 4, a larger moment is served on the rear wheels than on the front 60:40, so that the car behaves a little more similar to the rear-wheel drive. More lively character. It is impossible to match the new design, and the luxurious characteristics of the engines.

Abstracts in the same time
1 Against the background of the new generation A4 previous, B7, it seems sketch. However, B6 seemed an abstract for a novel called B7.
2 The most prominent part of the new headlights of the LEDs. And perhaps the least successful: the highways are too large and look like coarse stitches.
3 Audi finally raised the minimum power bar for A4. Now the most accessible version has 120 hp. Instead of the same 102rs.
4 Main problem with C4 What Audi can now come up with for new A6 and A8.
Audi A4 (B8)
Turbo engine FSI FSI
Frequent volume (cube. Cm) 1798 3197
Power (hp at rpm) 120/6000 265/6500
Moment (nm at rpm) 230/1500-6200 330/3000-5000
Front Full Quattro Drive
Transmission box. 6-st. Auto 6-st.
Length / Width / Height (mm) 4703/1826/1427
Mass Curb (kg) 1440 1630
Maximum speed (km / h) 208 250
Acceleration up to 100 km / h (c) 10.5 6,4
Fuel consumption Average, (l / 100 km) 9.9 / 5.5 13.6 / 6.8
Price in Moscow () 25 900 42 050
Text: Valery Chusov
Photo: Audi AG
 
 

Source: "Autopilot"