Test drive Audi A6 2001 - 2004 sedan

A sense of superiority

We say business sedan, we mean German. Not surprisingly, in this segment of the market, the positions of cars from Germany were always strong. Competitors from Sweden, Japan and America are noticeably lagging behind, if not in terms of technical level, then by the possibilities of configuration and gamut of engines.
The great -great -grandfather of the current A6, Audi 100 saw the light in 1968. Since then, four generations of hundreds and two A6 have changed. Mercedes-Benz and BMW updated their middle sedans last year, Audi was late for less than a year by the new A6 presented the press in Milan.
More better?
Cars tend to grow. But the sizes of salons still do not keep up with the dimensions of cars. The salon of the new Audi A6 became not only 23 mm wider, but also 10 longer. However, with an increased wheelbase increased by 83 mm, this is a rather modest increase. But 112 l were added in the luggage compartment. The new car, which grew 120 mm in length and 45 in width, became the largest in the class, coming close to the dimensions to representative cars.
Unlike aluminum A8, Audi A6 has a traditional steel body. But, like the predecessor, a hood, front wings and the front panel of the motor compartment are made of light metal. Audi A6 is 3050 kg heavier than a countryman-rustician BMW 5th series. This is a very good result for such a large car. Additional kilograms, according to designers, went to increase the hardness of the body (by 34%) and an increase in passive safety, including the requirements of the future standard on the back of the back.
Sportcomfort
Against the usual, after an official press conference, there were enough questions about the six. If Audi A6 is positioned as the most sports in the classroom, then why is so much attention paid to the quality of the finish materials and the latest salon equipment? Why did the car grow so much in size? Why is there, for example, adaptive shock absorbers or alternating gear ratio in the steering mechanism?
However, something will soon appear: next year, adaptive air suspension and cruise control. But the size and appearance should be discussed separately. The previous A6 had insufficient maneuverability, especially against the background of rear -wheel drive rivals. The current car is combined in a different way, its expanded track allows large angles of rotation of the wheels. The wheels carried forward reduced the front overhang, improved weightlift and handling. So an increase in the size of the platform for the benefit. The design of the front part resembles the top model Audi A8 with a twelve-cylinder engine. Flattering association. At the back of the Audi A6 is not like any of the concern models thanks to the original lanterns and the contour of the trunk cover. It is in this perspective of A6 that they will most often see on the autobahns the benefit of his craving for high speeds is limited only by road signs.
Looking ahead, I state: on all the Comfort tested in the high movement, the most tested A6. The speeds of two hundred are commonplace for such machines, and only opening the glass, you will feel a hurricane pressure of the wind: 4050 meters per second. By the way, like the senior A8, the bottom is completely closed by aerodynamic panels, only air intakes were left to cool the transmission units. The result of an impressively low level of noise and aerodynamic resistance CC \u003d 0.28. For information in aerodynamics, I will inform another figure: the work of the circuits for Midel Square 0.633. Unlike the first, it is not published so eagerly, but it determines the real resistance.
Two or four?
At Milan airport, colleagues-journalists quickly grabbed the keys to the cars. What did I get? A car with a new gasoline engine 3.2 liters, a manual gearbox and a drive to the front wheels. However, in fact, the difference with all-wheel drive, it seems, has nowhere to have a test drive track along suburban paths, and only a small part of it captures a high-speed highway. A snowy mountain serpentine? The snow remained late only in ski resorts.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to fit a workplace for yourself. To numerous seats adjustments, including side support and lumbar support, you need to add the steering wheel electrically adjustable in two directions and the MMI system settings (multimedia interface) responsible for navigation and audio system. And, of course, do not forget the rear -view mirrors. Of course, you can just jump behind the steering wheel and cut your head from one point in the route to another, but how do they tast the exquisite dish?
Visually, the driver's place is impeccable. Unless the devices under the common glass seem too flat and excessively glance. Neither with an eye nor feelings to find traces of cost optimization. By the way, there is no handbrake either in the form of a lever, or in the form of a pedal, it was replaced by an electromechanical drive button
The impressions of the motor are exceptional: it does not suffer from lethargy from below and easily spins up to 7500 rpm. In any range from 1000 to 7000 rpm, gear shift is more likely to choose a driver than a necessity. The sound of the engine does not press on the ears even at the red line of the tachometer. Conducted both numbers and sensations. According to the declared description, the car gains a hundred in less than seven seconds like that. And the average consumption, according to the computer, is just more than 12 l/100 km at all good for acceleration exercises interspersed with a five -kilometer cork.
The acute steering wheel is moderately devoid of excessive sensitivity, but not at all empty, and Audi A6 confidently prescribes smooth turns. Nevertheless, the speeds of 150 km/h make even more stringent requirements.
With a more modest gasoline engine, 2.4 comfort remains the same, only acceleration to 100 km/h lasts a couple of seconds longer. The range of the motor is clearly more modest, but here from 2000 to 6000 you can’t regret it. Nevertheless, the most delicious store for dessert is a turbodiesel.
Superdiselle
The popularity of engines with ignition from compression in Europe is not only a consequence of high gas prices, but also, imagine, a requirement of active drive lovers. The strangle of gasoline engines pushes environmental requirements to the search for engines that instantly respond to the gas pedal, which now have become diesel engines with a boost. The new three -liter Audi A6 diesel confirms this. Twisting the moment (450 N.M) even more than that of a gasoline eight. A six -speed machine could react not so actively the intensity of acceleration in a dense stream simply scares. But when the right leg gets used to pedaling as much as necessary, there is no longer any questions to the duet of the motor.
Perhaps the only claim to this car is a more thoughtful steering. It has more to drive in a straight line than to steep turns.
SPEAK RUSSIAN!
The premiere of the new Audi A6 in Russia is scheduled for June 10. There were no specific prices at the time of preparation of the material. But the range of modifications has been determined. We will not sell six with direct injection of gasoline until the quality of domestic fuel becomes acceptable for the latest technology. Offered: a 2.4-liter gasoline engine with a six-speed gearbox and front-wheel drive, 3-liter gasoline A6 with an old engine and a variator (front-wheel drive) or a cavtro with a hydromechanical automatic machine, as well as a gasoline V8, 4.2 liters with a full drive and automatic and three -liter turbodiesel.
Audi A6 is a good car and, of course, will be good to sell in the wave of the current rise of the Russian economy. But his on-board computer and MMI system are not yet spoken in Russian. Or do business figures have no difficulties with English or German? It is worth doubt. However, Audi competitors are also in no hurry. Will the new Audi A6 take on board those who are disappointed with the avant -garde design from Chris Banlla, or is the traditional approach not in fashion today? This can hardly be assumed seriously. The continuity of the design gives a car from Ingolstadt an innate sense of superiority.
 

Anatoly Fomin. Photo by the author and company Audi

Source: The magazine "Driving"