Test drive Audi A6 1997 - 2001 sedan

Ace and six

The listing of a traditional German three usually follows in this order: Mercedes, BMW, Audi - contrary to the logic of the alphabet, and obeying the prevailing stereotypes. But what is surprising - the cars themselves do not at all seek to refute the prevailing order of things. The new Audi A6 model, whose premiere took place at the Geneva Motor Show, convinces that, considering the two remaining members of the triumvirate its eternal rivals, the Audi concern is faithful to its own development paths and does not intend to turn off them. The German novelty, finally appearing in Moscow, is unlikely to surprise someone. Although, without a doubt, he will delight many.
Conservative revolution
The facade of the new six does not cause any trepidation in front of the novelty - a standard grille for the Audi, the usual form of headlights. But the profile ...
However, only the Germans, having decided on such changes in design, can declare this a revolution. The almost perfect ellipsoidal line, starting at the base of the windshield, ends with signal lights, and, as if having met an obstacle after passing the rear window, forms a small fold. Imagine that only a black silhouette is available to your vision, and you will probably say that you have a compartment. What is not a revolution? Recall the predecessor model, in comparison with which both the front and the rear overhang of the new products are significantly reduced and seem from this, as it were, unfinished ...
The Audi designers faithful to the image of a business car seemed to decide to get to the limit of utilitarianism - in the new six, everything should be on business, without excesses, but with dignity. For the sake of this, it is quite possible to sacrifice sizes, weight and impressiveness - let BMW and Mercedes do this. A truly business person does not have time to think about how to shock the appearance of his car of others: the main thing is to look good, practical and ... point.
For all the time of testing the car, we did not feel any reaction from the side of the road Moscow. No one turned around, did not hold his gaze, did not open his mouth. Well, another good car, so what? Even the old Audi 100, which seems with a complete antipode of the six, look more aerodynamic and impressive in a car crowd.
Of course, A6 is not for those who need self -affirmation. The benefits and convenience are two words that could become her motto. And it is precisely these two concepts that all the arrangement of the salon is devoted, where it seems that everything is provided for a person of the case.
In and large
If your hands are not torn to the steering wheel, then opening the door, you will first find a wide and convenient pocket in it. It is extremely convenient to throw a pack of cooperation agreements with some kind of lokhinvest and not be afraid that they will fall into the mud. Then you get behind the wheel, adjusting the chair for your own complexion. Even if one is far from the standard, you are very soon convinced that it is very simple to achieve a comfortable position. By the way, designers of this model claim that the driver’s position will be appreciated as comfortable from 5 percent of women to 99 percent of men.
To the right of you is an extremely friendly panel in which it is easy to find a native radio with RDS, an extremely caring climate control, and - hello to America is a cup holder.
I must say especially about the climate in the salon - sometimes we had the feeling that the air conditioner lives some kind of inner life: the device only cared for the exact maintenance of 18 degrees in the cabin. It should be noted his extreme friendliness in relation to everyone whom fate can be brought into the salon of the new A6: an individual climate can be installed in almost every place in the car, regulating the strength and intensity of air injection, and the climate itself is controlled not only inside the cabin, but also outwardly, but also outside, Reporting this with numbers burning on the scoreboard.
The mentioned cup holder is also not the prerogative of only the driver - as many as two of them are mounted in the rear seat pillow. From this kind of delights that adorn the process of movement from point A to point B, it should be noted that for this model there are also a television screen and navigation system directly from Audi. However, in the model we tested from such joys of life, it was necessary to be content with only cup holders and cigarettes.
Returning to the interior design, it is worth mentioning the fidelity of the designer tradition of Audi - a protruding control column for lighting and placing many buttons on the central console. It is also worth noting that in the new model the headlight switches moved to the dashboard, in addition, very often this model is available with the Tiptronic box. However, we got traditional mechanics.
Modelity and accuracy
Caring for the needs of a business person, the creators of the six least of all suggested that the future owner could inadvertently look under the hood. The picture that opens up to his eyes should apparently report - this is too good a car, you absolutely do not need to climb here, do your job, twist the bagel.
There really is really no need to think about the engine, which we got a V6 with a volume of 2.4 liters (according to the forecasts of the concern, the best-selling option) was evaluated by us as an excellent case of a business class car. 100 kilometers per hour were achieved absolutely imperceptibly. By the way, Audi argues that from scratch the hundredths are taken in 9.1 seconds (for the equally common Audi A6-2.8, this indicator is 8.1 seconds - only half a second -second less than the BMW 528i). Go quickly and not notice this - what else can an ever -bushed person dream of!
Our traditional travel along the summer puddles at speeds, however, far from passports, did not force the engine to detect ourselves, although during the particularly steep turns we were significantly pressed into all nearby elements of the interior. The reserve of reliability at the same time seemed almost limitless.
The thoughtfulness and rationality of the new items from Audi in Russia should be appreciated by the one who, preferring comfort and practicality, does not intend to find himself in the spotlight, who appreciates his time, knows how to deny himself an exchanger to exchange the trifles. Despite the fact that the A6 once chosen by the Russian presidential administration began to be associated with the state power, the new model, the price of which is $ 51,000, and with the Tiptronic box more expensive ($ 55000-60000) will find the greatest response from wealthy firms with a reputation that have long lost interest to Attraction by one's own power, cheap self -promotion and shocking. To be a sixth ace - the new Audi will undoubtedly be able to do this with dignity.
The editors thanks the Autosalon Art Motors (095) 245-8450, which provided a car for testing.

The sellers of the six are gestures
The new six appeared on sale so recently that the bulk of the company’s customers so far make up the opinion on advertising videos and photos from car dealerships.
A huge steamer slowly and majestically enters the Hong Kong Port. A red customs boat is moored to the side right on the move, and a dozen mobile and exactly the same Chinese in uniforms rise to the deck and quickly promote all the back streets in search of smuggling. Finding nothing, the group with numerous bows descends again onto the boat and swims swims rapidly. And on the screen, a close -up screen shows the steamboat hold, where smuggled goods are hidden under the dirty oiled rag, which the customs officers have not found - the Audi A6 sparkling varnish
In such an unusual way, the Ingolstadt novelty first appeared on television screens. What the authors wanted to say this advertisement is a secret. Apparently, something is very significant. In any case, the company took up the work with future buyers of six six with amazing energy. Abundant advertising, more than ever, a rapid start for sale, a profitable installment scheme: at 2.5% per annum instead of the usual 8%. It is known that now even for persuading a potential buyer to ride a new car, sellers receive a bonus - a hundred or two brands. And - an attempt to interest environmentally concerned Germans is a constant mention of the fact that the hatch in the roof is made of processed plastic bottles. And in general, Audi does not pollute, but rather cleanses the planet.
The few owners are still silent: because of the insignificance of the term, they have not yet understood what they bought. And what are the results of the shows in car dealerships? Several honorary titles. Actually, there are so many titles in the world so much that there is literally enough for everyone: the car of the year, the best in Europe, in America, Australia, New Zealand, a car of consumer sympathies, the most reliable, most unusual, most pretty but sexy but sex Audiev titles are quite honorable. Firstly, at the Geneva salon, it turned out to be the most significant novelty of the season. In the meantime, a significant novelty was on the catwalk, many relatives suffered a deplorable fate: they were defeated during annual American crash tests. And, having died, they brought Audi A6 the highest rating on the American scale of car safety - five stars.
Audi A6 is a difficult car for customer perception. The new, with the revolutionary appearance of Audi, ”the Western Morning News magazine called the car. The experimental exterior causes a variety of reactions. The convenience of the salon and sled characteristics - everything is clear here. But the design is a clear failure. Rough style dissonance. Take the ass of the car: it itself has the right to exist, but exists separately, does not combine with powerful, clear, certain lines of the front, ”the Business and Finance magazine believes. The back of the car is solved, to put it mildly, boldly,- the American Automotive News echoes colleagues. In short, as Bartle Bogl, the Audi design, directly stated by advertising six, is for those who understand.
Model/Modification Audi A6 2.4
Manufacturer Audi AG, Germany
BODY
Type sedan
Number of doors/places 4/5
ENGINE
Type gasoline, with multi -point injection
The location in front is longitudinally
Working volume, cubic meter. cm 2393
Number, location 6, V-shaped cylinders
Cylinder diameter X piston stroke, mm 81x77.4
Compression degree 10.5: 1
Power, kW (L.S.) with rpm. 121 (165) at 6000
Moment, nm at rpm 230 at 3200
Valve number/cylinder 2
TRANSMISSION
Front drive. wheels
The gearbox is five -speed, mechanical
SUSPENSION
The front is independent
The rear is independent
STEERING
Type gear-rake, with hydraulic power steering
Brakes
Front disk, ventilated
The rear disc
ABS standard equipment
Wheels
Tire size 205/60 vr15
Dimensions/about EME/Weight
Length/width/4796/1810/
height, mm 1452
Wheel base, mm 2760
Rule front/track rear, mm 1524/1524
Equipped mass, kg 1450
Trunk volume, l 510
Gas tank volume, l 80
Dynamic characteristics
Maximum speed, km/hour 222
Acceleration to 100 km/h, sec 9.1
Economy
Fuel consumption, medium -term L/100 km 10.55

What else
Since the traditional comparisons of the Audi with the BMW of the 5th series have already sounded, we can only expand and deepen this comparison. What to do, Audi will always have to look back at two other members of the German three. At the same time, in our opinion, it would be appropriate to recall other competitors. The new six is \u200b\u200bquite comparable with another German Opel Omega - reliable and solid car, like everything German.
In general, in this class there is something to choose from. Lancia Kappa is quite suitable for lovers of Italian design - not a catchy, like Audi, a car, but very harmoniously combining representativeness and sports burrows. Manufacturers from the Land of the Rising Sun also have worthy representatives of this class of machines, one of which can be considered produced since January 1996 and the Mitsubishi Diamant that has not yet been well -known with about the same characteristics as A6. The French have a worthy representative in this class of cars - Peugeot 406. The list of classmates can continue and continue, in general, the choice depends on your sympathy.
 
Dmitry Popov,
Vladimir Arkhipov (photo)

 

Source: "Autopilot"