Test drive Audi A6 2001 - 2004 sedan

Evolution A6

Business class sedan from the point of view of Audi
 
The whole thing is in time. Private entrepreneurs and top managers - the main buyers of the A6 model, according to Audi marketers, are always not enough. New generation cars allow you to blame to the right place even faster than their predecessors. But the main thing is, perhaps, that now it will be possible to do it with great comfort. A6 makes it possible to just relax at the wheel, or, on the contrary, distract from current affairs, switching to active driving, and if necessary, resolve urgent issues on a loud connection, without releasing the steering wheel from the hands. The machine is equipped so well that it allows us to talk about new standards in the business class.
 
The pursuit of time, more precisely - the desire to accommodate as much matters as possible per unit time is justified, however, not always. For example, one daylight day to get to know such important, I would say - a stage model in the Audi gamut was clearly not enough. Having arrived at midday at Milan and immediately saddled the cars prepared for the test, the journalists were forced to spend time on traffic jams, then for lunch and a short briefing, and then literally rushing around the picturesque lake in search of at least some suitable place for filming, and when this is time to transplant from one version to another. As a result, there was no question of how to feel the car properly, and even in all its hypostles. Therefore, it will be correct to speak only about the first impressions. And the main thing of them: a car entered the market, which is very little connected from the previous A6. Unless the name and certain continuity in external design. As for such concepts as behavior on the road, the level of equipment and the level of comfort for the driver, front and rear passengers, the difference is so significant that it cannot be noticed.
 
Dinner with a designer
 
The dearest person under the name Stefan and the difficult -pronounced surname Langelpott, designer on the exterior, probably at first offended. Having said that the new A6 outwardly recalls both the A8 and its predecessor, so that we can talk about its unconditional originality. Which, however, in itself is neither bad nor good, but is simply a fact. Yes, the car has become 120 mm longer (the wheelbase is increased by 83 mm), 45 mm wider (the track was heard as much as 49 mm) and higher by 12 mm. Of course, I noticed that the roof line is very reminiscent of the compartment (which was in the best way affected aerodynamics, CD \u003d 0.28). Substampovki at the front line? Yes, fresh. But the trapezoidal grate of the radiator dressed in chrome is hello from A8, the rear lights are also familiar family values. And then Stefan took out an album at his hand.
 
And our conversation was started, it is worth noting at dinner, immediately after a feverish test drive. When I was not rested with the idea that I managed to do that day less than I would like. But as the designer revealed the branded secrets, and the waiters added a very good Tuscan, I was penetrated by the confidence that for four and a half years allotted on the creation of a new A6, it was not for nothing that was spent. And in fact - is it possible not to admire these clean lines? It is forbidden. And the line of gracefully narrowing to the nose and the stern, and the crowning trunk of the proto -suller - doesn’t all this emphasize the swiftness of the model? Emphasizes. The car looks at the same time solid and sports - isn't it? Exactly!
 
In general, to the dejustiva in the hotel bar, around midnight, after a substantial conversation about the delightful Italian design in general, and about the talent of Walter de Silva, the new chief of the Audi design center, in particular, we came to consensus. Finally deciding that the evolutionary path of development is perhaps preferable to revolutionary, and continuity in the body architecture, the brand recognition is expensive. Under the curtain, Stefan wrote a new one that he liked in the notebook - this is a well -forgotten old phrase, and we parted in the firm conviction that if desired, common English, even if it is lame, can always be found.
 
Let us return, however, a day. Moreover, the interior is best considered in the light of the sun. To understand that the internal device of the new A6 differs from the previous model as a computer from a calculator, no explanation of the specialist is required, everything is visible with the naked eye. The salon was redesigned radically, and it is quite obvious that the ideas embodied in the decoration of the new A8 inspired its authors. From the flagship model in A6, the MMI system also migrated, with which you can control all the on -board equipment - from navigation based on DVD and climatic installation, to Bose Surround Sound and heating the front seats. It is easy to use MMI, preliminary study of the instruction is not necessary. The main sections of the menu are put on separate buttons located on both sides of the joystick. You press, for example, a button with the inscription NAV - and navigation to your service. Immediately on a 6.5-inch monochrome (in the basic configuration) or on a 7-inch color display, an appropriate picture appears. Everything is simple and clear.
 
The central console itself is wide, like a windsurfing board, and looks very respectable, especially if it is finished with wood. It is noteworthy that the console and the instrument panel are perceived as a single element, a sort of large remote control of the car. In shape, this element resembles the same trapezoid as the radiator grille in front. Moreover, the same shape is repeated in the central part of the steering wheel. And such a repetition does not look at all obsessively, but, on the contrary, quite harmoniously. From below, the console goes under the armrest between the seats, in which, of course, there is a compartment. Its upper part is slightly deployed towards the driver. In general, the location of devices and controls, huge round scales of a tachometer and speedometer - all tunes in a sports way. In my opinion, no complaints should arise to the ergonomics of the driver’s workplace.
 
Of course, the client can choose not only from 15 different bodies of the body, but also choose the interior decoration to taste. However, let the dealer talk about the trim levels. Let me only recommend future buyers to approach this issue with all seriousness. Personally, for example, I least liked one of the most luxurious salons, trimmed with light skin. For two reasons. Firstly, in this configuration, the steering wheel is installed incrediblely large diameter for such a car, and in addition, for some reason deprived of convenient grip. Secondly, the skin is stitched with a usual stitch, without undertaking, which is especially noticeable on the same bagel and near the gear knile. Let these are trifles, but, from my point of view, they clearly disson with the general decoration of the salon, and with the very character of the machine. In other versions that I managed to test, everything is in place - and the steering wheel is more sporty, smaller diameter, with grip and trimmed with perforated skin, and the black color of the upholstery hides the unpretentiousness of the seams.
 
A trip with a song
 
The very light salon got on the first car, at the airport. It was the most powerful version with a 4.2-liter V8 under the hood. By the way, all engines for A6, according to the company representative, are new. And do not compare the same V8 with the previous generation similar in cars, ”said Audi motorist. - The new one is more powerful, gives out 335 forces. But as I understand it, this power unit has recently met at the VW Phaeton Long. True, the Audi motor reaches maximum power at 6600 revolutions per minute (according to Technical Data), and from VW at 6500. But these are already real trifles, the main thing is that it gives the car an amazing dynamics, and guarantees the pickup from almost any speed while so far An electronic limiter will not work.
 
And the sound! That's what I call him a song for which it is not a sin to pay. However, the tuned exhaust melody did not enjoy the colleague for long: 10 minutes, until we ran into the tail of the traffic jams, then crawled for half an hour, having fun with MMI, and for another 15 minutes, until we reached the castle, where we were waiting for lunch and other versions of A6. However, during these short, but rapid throws, much became clear. For example, that a 6-speed automatic, especially in Sport mode, provides excellent responsiveness to the accelerator pedal and honestly promotes the engine on each gear to the red zone on the tachometer. (A6, in addition, will be offered 6-speed mechanics and a 7-band Multitronic-a stranded variator, which also gives the possibility of mechanical selection of programs). That the car at high speeds demonstrates excellent stability. Only one remark of a colleague who was driving during the first run was somewhat confused.
In a gentle turn, he suddenly said that he was not very good at the car. And he added: maybe it's a servo -stnix? Perhaps, although the steering system called Servotronic is called to provide feedback by pouring the steering wheel with lead with speed growth. And at that moment the speedometer's arrow was at the mark of 210. In general, all this should be felt by himself, and such an opportunity very soon introduced herself. I must say right away: I personally did not feel the slightest inadequacy in the behavior of the car. It is likely that the case is in various trim levels. By the way, Audi offers A6 and with a sports bag, with a 20 mm clearance, a more rigid suspension and 18-inch wheels.
 
Honestly, I did not really make out whether this package was installed by car in which I stormed mountain serpentines, but it behaved excellently. However, before I simply must say that it was a version with the latest 3.2 FSI engine - that is, with direct fuel injection; Moreover, with Quattro all -wheel drive. I really liked the engine - it provides even and decent acceleration in a fairly wide range of revolutions, moreover, quiet and economical. One thing is bad: the versions with FSI will not be supplied to Russia, since the Audi, like some other manufacturers, is still distrusting the quality of Russian fuel.
 
On steep and narrow roads, I fully appreciated all other advantages of the Audi A6. First of all, you somehow instantly get used to the dimensions. And, having passed a couple of ligaments of the turns, I realized that the statement of engineers that the toughness of the twist for twisting was increased by 34% is not empty words at all. The machine in the most extreme situations behaves absolutely predictably. Of course, at the same time, we must pay tribute to the exact settings of the suspensions - the front four -leaf, tested time, and the back - on the trapezoidal levers, as on A8. And as for Servotronic - I did not find flaws in the new system: the car reacts to the slightest movement of the steering wheel enough, to predict its behavior before the next turn is not difficult. It is noteworthy that the latest generation ESP is also in sporting, and it will hardly be disturbed even by an experienced driver.
 
During the descents, rise and turns, I fully and with pleasure used the advantages of manual transfers to the automatic transmission, slowing down the engine as necessary, moving to the lower step before the next jerk up. And at the same time he used not the hilt of the selector, but the keys under the steering wheel. Pressing the left hand with the finger on the key with a sign -, with the right finger - with a sign +. These keys are always at hand, no matter what angle the steering wheel is turned, because they rotate with her - very convenient!
 
The next for the test I got a car with the same gasoline engine, but with a manual gearbox. Well, it’s also very good, although for city trips I would probably prefer the machine gun. On the other hand, the version with mechanics, of course, is more sports. And the additional handicap at that moment was very useful for me, since we were already clearly late for a press conference. In addition, they decided to drive in two cars, ahead - the same colleague on the diesel version. And in vain I decided in advance that it would not be difficult for me to keep up with him. It wasn't there! From the start, he came off at a decent distance - this is what a modern turbodiesel means with his huge torque! “And I had to work well in order to keep up with this Schumacher.”
 
A fairly fast rhythm did not stop noting two, from my point of view of important points. First: the clutch pedal seems to have got rid of the previous family long -term. She is moderately tight, and quite informative (as, by the way, the brake pedal). Second: 6-speed gearbox as a whole allows you to cross the step from a step quickly, but for my taste the moves of the lever could be made even shorter. And one more conclusion: the car copes with high speeds perfectly. It turns out that the very small ledge on the trunk is enough to feel - the car is well pressed to the road.
 
The price is still unknown
 
There is no doubt in the market prospects of the new A6, although the final price for the Russian market has not yet been determined. According to representatives of the company, the cost of A6 will be the same, it will be necessary to pay extra for those innovations that there were no A6 on the previous generation. Meanwhile, there are a lot of new ones, and there is something already in the basic configuration. In addition to MMI and Servotronic, it is also an electromechanical parking brake, endowed with the ability to automatically disconnect, as soon as the driver will snap the seat belt. And radar cruise control, allowing electronics to maintain a given distance to the in front of the car going. There is also the opportunity to order the ADVANCED KEY authorization system so as not to get the key from the pocket, starting and stopping the engine using individual buttons at the bottom of the central console. Adaptive xenon headlights are also offered, illuminating the road towards the turn, and the so -called daily overall lights, and the tire pressure control system, and a new pneumatic suspension (though it will go to the series since 2005), let managers tell about everything else dealerships. They, it seems, should already start receiving orders for the new Audi A6.
 
In conclusion, I will say that the previous generation of A6 was dispersed by a circulation of over a million copies. With the novelty, the company intends to consolidate and multiply success, increasing the production volumes by 10%. Already this year it is planned to sell 70,000 sedans, and in the next - already 180,000.
 
Brief technical characteristics of the Audi A6 and, perhaps, the last. According to Audi marketers, A6 buyers are people aged 40 to 50 years, 90% of them are men. I would probably expand the age frames for twenty years - ten years in each direction.
 
Oleg Osipov
  
 

Source: "Automobile Izvestia"