Test drive Audi A6 2001 - 2004 sedan

Intellectual

Among the prestigious business class cars there are many models with a bright character. Audi-A6 is distinguished by restraint and the ability to adapt to the character of the owner.
 
The fact that the expensive business class car should be German, most of our wealthy compatriots do not even doubt it. The only question is which brand to choose from a large German three. Here, much depends on personal preferences and compliance of the car with the owner of the owner.
 
The bourgeois to the brain of the bones of the Mercedes E-Class and the aggressive-dynamic five BMW too unceremoniously impose their own self, which not everyone likes. Audi-A6 loves primarily for his intelligent tact. Like the personal secretary of the highest qualification, he helps the owner to look worthy in any situation, while remaining unobtrusive. For a prestigious car, this is a rare and very valuable quality.
 
Also, the price and conditions of purchase played an important role. Mercedes-Benz-E in Russia is unreasonably expensive. Only the BMW of the 5th series competes at the price of Audi-A6. But the Kaliningrad five, like incubator chickens, are produced in fixed trim levels, not allowing the buyer to build a car for himself. Audi offers the broadest choice at a reasonable price.

What is how much?
It is simply impossible to tell you briefly about all options for prices and Audi-A6. In our market, the car is offered with two bodies, eight gasoline engines, three diesel engines, four gearboxes, with a front -wheel drive of Quattro. Combining in various versions of the body, engine and transmission, A6 has 52 modifications (excluding the all -terrain version of Ollroud). Plus, for each of them, a list of custom -made equipment on four pages in general, the conveyor can work for several years without releasing two exactly the same A6.
 
Naturally, we cannot even bring the basic prices of each of the 52 modifications, and the numbers from 33,160 to 108 960 euros are not said little about. Therefore, if you want to calculate the car in the configuration you are interested in, you will need to get a full price list from the dealer. We will try to narrow the selection sector as much as possible (although this should not be perceived as a guide to action).
 
 
All other things being equal, the station wagon costs more than a sedan for 2500 euros

We are in greatest demand for sedans with gasoline engines V6 with a volume of 2.4 liters and 3.0 liters. In the basic configuration with front -wheel drive and manual gearbox, they cost 37,480 and 44,520 euros, respectively. Quartro all -wheel drive is combined with any of the engines and adds about 3050 euros to a price. If you are not satisfied with a manual box, on the front -wheel drive version you can get an automatic cuneiform variator of the multitronics (2720 euros), and on an all -wheel drive hydromechanical machine gun (2650 euros). Next, it all depends on your desires and capabilities.
 
 
Playing cup holders in the pillow of the sofa of standard equipment. And heating the rear seats is offered for surcharge

Since the lion's share of A6 sold in Russia is equipped with all -wheel drive and automatic, we could only determine the engine. On the 3-liter version, we already traveled at one time, so we decided to try out the 2.4-Kvattro-type. In the basic configuration, such a machine costs 43,170 euros. Our car was additionally painted with metallic (893 euros), and from the options it was attended by: an electric hatch in the roof (1217 euros), rear parking sensors (408 euros), leather salon (2131 euros) with wooden decoration (531 euros), electric drive of adjustment seats (1157 euros), preparation for a cell phone (597 euros), an audio system concert instead of a chorus (293 euros), heating of the rear seats (403 euros), side and rear electric sunscreen (444 euros). As a result, 51,347 euros ran.
 
However, it is unprofitable to abundantly nourish the options with options. As soon as you adjust its complete set to the 3-liter version standard (by ordering a leather interior with a wooden trim, a radio concert, a complete set of sunscreen curtains and an on-board computer), the difference in price between them is reduced to 3300 euros. This figure is especially incompetent against the background of all -wheel drive modifications with an automaton, when it comes to the amounts of more than 50 thousand. Therefore, if you are going to buy a richly equipped car, you need to take a 3-liter motor as a basis.
 
List of standard equipment
For all engines:
power steering;
adjustable steering column;
ABS with an electronic distribution of brake force;
ESP course stability system;
4 airbags (front and front side);
A first -aid kit and a sign of emergency stop;
fog lights;
immobilizer;
climate control with automatic recirculation mode;
mirrors with electric drive and heating;
Heating of glass washer nozzles;
electric windows;
cosmetic mirrors with backlight;
backlighting the lower part of the cabin in front and back;
central castle with DU;
audio training (4 speakers, antenna);
Electric drive adjustment of the heights of the front seats;
central armrest;
fabric salon;
leather handles of the levers of the checkpoint and parking brake (except 1.8t and 1.9 TDI);
pile rugs on the floor;
luggage fixation grid;
Flight wheels with tires 205/55 R16
 
For Quattro with all engines additionally:
folding (1: 2) back of the rear sofa
 
For A6 2.4 Additionally:
bixenon headlights;
headlight washer;
security alarm;
Cassette radio tape recorder Horus with 8 speakers;
heating the front seats;
hinged central armrest in front;
Leather steering wheel
 
For A6 3.0 and A6 2.7T CVATRO additionally:
CD resort concert;
on-board computer;
leather salon with wooden inserts;
rear electric and side manual sunscreen curtains;
Tires 215/55 R16
 
For A6 4.2 quattro additionally:
AKP Testronics;
electric drive adjustments of the front seats with a lumbar subpoen;
Luke with a ski cover in the back of the rear sofa;
Tires 235/50 R16
 
For S6 Additionally:
front seats with electric drive;
Sports steering wheel with transfers buttons;
combined leather-piercing salon with carbon inserts;
sports suspension;
Tires 255/40 R17
 
For RS6, additional:
air pressure sensors in tires;
Parctronics in front and back;
salon mirror with automatic darling;
Cruise control;
heating the rear seats;
Acoustic system of BOUZ;
aluminum buildings of external mirrors;
rear spoiler;
Tires 255/40 R18
 
Outside and inside
In the debut 1997, Audi-A6 design has significantly ahead of time and still causes disputes. Some consider it elegant, others too licked. However, it is the appearance of A6 that forms the image of an intelligent, sophisticated car. In the rounded-plane contours of the body, Audi is only in moderation. It does not suppress either arrogant stiffness or puffing aggression. A sort of middle -aged gentleman with a pleasant smile on his face, in a new business suit with a needle. It is not surprising that even the restyling of the 2002 model year, affecting many changes in the mechanics, externally remained almost invisible.
 
   

The interior of the car is sustained in the strict business style of the Volkswagen concern: maximum laconic lines, smooth surfaces and not a single cutting eye of the part. It seems that the salon is not assembled from the elements, but is made monolithic. Plus expensive finishing materials. Especially noble, naturally in A6, a tree looks. Together, this creates a feeling of quality and the highest quality. I am sure that the salons of Mercedes and BMW are worked out no worse. But it is the psychological sense of quality that the interior of Audi from competitors distinguishes favorably.
 
 
A radio from prying eyes can be closed by a sliding lid

 
The central console has a cup holder
 
Poles of the salon floor are mounted in the backs of the front seats

 
The button on the left middle stange of the body turns off the signaling volume sensor
 
For a surcharge in the central front armrest, installation for connecting a cell phone is built

 
The round button is in charge of adjusting the lumbar backup. It can be ordered separately from the electric drive adjustment of the seats
 

Another trump card A6 is open. Even if the front seats are pushed back to the stop and lowered down, passengers sitting on the rear sofa feel quite freely: the feet do not get stuck under the seats, and a solid supply of space remains in front of the knees. In addition, the floor is provided here in the rear of the cabin, and comfortable reading lamps are placed under the ceiling.
 
If the main passenger drives behind, for him you can order a sofa heating, side and window pillows, as well as sunscreen. There is even a custom -made comfortable sofa, reliefly formed for two seats so that passengers in corners do not slip from side to side. In general, in the nomination, the representative of A6 can be recognized as one of the best in the classroom.
 
Behind the wheel
Having opened the massive door, I sit down on the driver's seat, covered with gray skin of Buffalino. By German standards, it is quite soft and not particularly embossed. But lovers of dense landing can order ordinary sports chairs with an electroregulation of a lumbar support (674 euros) or a rosarot chairs with a full set of electro -regulations (about 2200 euros). However, in our car, the seats are fully electrified, so I find a convenient landing quite quickly.
 
If several people use the machine, for front seats (both or only a driver’s) and external mirrors you can order a memory for three settings. True sibarites can be introduced by electric motors even into the drive of the steering column and folding external mirrors. And the hatch in the roof, if it does not interfere with you in height, for 550 euros you can equip the solar battery, which nourishes the ventilation system during parking.
 
 
Governing bodies
 

1. Block windows. 2. The internal switch of the central lock. 3. The central light switch. 4. The button of the rear electric curtain. 5. The disconnection button of the course stability system. 6. The alarm switch. 7. Cuffer. 8. CD resaver. 9. The heating switch of the seat. 10. Climate control unit.
 

Hands wrap around a leather 4-spacecraft. This is a standard, in addition to which ten more (!) Rules are offered: with three or four knitting needles, a wooden rim, heating, managing the audio system and cruise control If the machine is equipped with a multi-stones or a Testronics and you like to switch the programs on your own, it makes sense to order a steering wheel with control buttons Checkpoint. Playing Schumacher is much more pleasant and more convenient than pulling a lever.
 
Exemplary in terms of convenience of perception of the Volkswagen dashboard on Audi-A6 has red backlight and a nonlinear speedometer scale. The latter for a high -speed car is justified. But if the square window in the center of the tidy was occupied by an on -board computer, the fiery characters on its screen in the dark would irritate his eyes. It is a pity, since the computer itself is very useful.
 
Dashboard
  

1. The temperature indicator of the motor oil. 2. Clock. 3. Tachometer. 4. The indicator of the temperature of the coolant. 5. Fuel level indicator. 6. Speedometer. 7. Mileage counter. 8. Voltmeter. 9. Information display.
 

Separate climate control after restyling of the 2002 model year learned to determine the quality of outboard air and, if necessary, automatically turn on the recirculation mode. Thanks to this, not only comfort increased, but also safety, since the climatic buttons are still bald, not distinguishable to the touch, and in order to find the necessary, one has to be distracted from the road.
 
It is gratifying that the updated A6 finally received a full-fledged right mirror instead of the former tiny fragment, which the frugal Germans probably picked it from the discarded ladies powder. However, not a single mirror will help to see a sloping stern behind the rear window cut. Therefore, the custom -made rear parking sensors came to us very help. In general, for an almost 5-meter car, a parking radar will not hurt in front.
 
We liked
 

A very spacious salon

Opening pockets in all doors

 
Overlapping deflectors of heating side glasses allow you to direct heat to other salon zones
   
Side and back sunscreen curtains are included in the standard package, starting with a 3-liter motor
 

As well as:
 
The quality of finishing materials and assembly of the salon
Possibility of individual compilation of configuration
 
We didn't like it
 

Climate control buttons indistinguishable to the touch

With a lowered armrest, it is inconvenient to use the parking brake
 

As well as:
 
Thoughtful automatic Tibronika box
Vibrations when passing irregularities

Children in the car
Like any German car, Audi-A6 in children's security matters can also be built in accordance with your requirements. Initially, the car has only generally accepted children's locks of the rear door locks and windows. In this case, young children are prescribed to be transported in special children's armchairs installed behind and fixed with standard seat belts.
 
However, the list of pre -equipment allows you to order hard mounts for children's seats of the ISOFIX standard (53 euros) or two children's seats built into the rear sofa for outgrowth, including ISOFIX mounts for small chairs (379 euros). If you plan to transport the child in the right front seat, turning the chair with the back of the back, for 105 euros you can order a disabled passenger airbag.
 
Security
As appropriate for a prestigious business class car, Audi-A6 is generously equipped with active security means. With any of the engines in the standard, you get a system of dynamic stabilization, and with V6 and V8 engines, also bixenon headlights with a washer. Naturally, Avtro all -wheel drive is also designed to ensure security. From the custom -made equipment that helps to avoid an accident, it should be noted intra -tissue and external mirrors with automatic darkness, which can be obtained for 342 euros.
 
If the accident is inevitable, the front and front side pillows, as well as the pedal, will appear on your protection. This is in the standard. For a surcharge, you can get window and rear lateral airbags. The latter are especially relevant if the machine is used as personnel and the main passenger drives behind. In addition, in the list of safe options there is a reminder sensor about the unsteady belts. If you are not used to using belts, it is worth ordering it. After all, no pillows are effective without belts.
 
Your personal safety will take care of the delay in turning off the headlights (the function of the house to the house) and the central castle with the possibility of separate unlocking the driver’s and all other doors. For 67 euros, it can be equipped with automatic locking upon reaching a speed of 15 km/h.
 
The factory alarm with the protection against hacking (the door cannot be opened from the inside, breaking the glass) and the volume sensor in case people or animals are answered for the safety of the car (the door. Recently, the alarm has been improved. She received autonomous nutrition and autonomous siren instead of a regular horn. Plus, the electrical circuit of the alarm was made independent of the immobilizer, which complicated the life of the hijackers.
  
We load the suitcases
The raised trunk lid opens access to a long (1170 mm) cave. The trunk of A6 in Volkswagen traditions has a strictly rectangular shape without protruding wheel arches and procurement around. True, in depth the casket is not enough. To place the units of all -wheel drive transmission, the gender of the trunk had to be raised, which reduced its volume from 550 to 435 liters. But on the Cvattro versions, a separately folding back of the rear sofa is seriously installed, and for front -wheel drive machines it must be ordered separately (374 euros). In addition, in the back of the sofa (both folding and fixed hard) for 278 euros, a through hatch with a ski cover can be provided.
 
 
For front -wheel drive cars, a folding rear sofa is offered for a surcharge

 
The locks of the back of the rear sofa are locked with a key
 

If you opt for a station wagon (traditionally for the audi is called an advantage), the volume of its trunk will be 455 liters, and with a folded sofa you will get almost 1.6 cubic meters of useful space. The station wagon is serially equipped with a vertical safety grid hidden in the rear shelf. And for the surcharge to the trunk of the station wagon, a bilateral (rubber/velor) rug and a small children's sofa, deployed against the movement, are offered. But it is unlikely that even large parents will agree to transport their children in this way.
 
 

Car dimensions, mm
 
Salon dimensions, mm
 
 
 

V6 2.4 and Testronics enemies forever
Taxing from the parking lot, I drew attention to the heavy steering wheel in parking modes. In high -speed turns, the force on the steering wheel falls, and the feeling of the car is slightly dull. I advise you not to make a lot of money and order a servo -steel hydraulic wrap for 307 euros, which works on the opposite, more logical algorithm.
 
The suspension adapted under bad roads with an enlarged road clearance allows you to confidently climb on the sidewalks and, at the same time, stops the ship's shipping on lash high -speed waves. On even suburban tracks, the suspension behaves very worthy. And acoustic comfort is on top. Even at speeds for 150, the car allows you to talk in the cabin in an undertone. But in the list of pre -equipment there are still double soundproofing glasses. True, their price bites almost 1300 euros.
 
However, the machine comments actively large irregularities. This is not to say that the rigidity of the suspension is annoying. But sharp potholes and metal thermal ships on the flyover respond with a rather tangible hum, after which a short vibration runs through the body. In general, about the A6 asphalt, which descended along with the snow, will grow up until a new one is laid.
 
But what are the brakes effective and convenient for the car, how it knows how to keep the road at speed! Yes, A6 does not allow the driver as close as the five BMW. But he behaves quite reliably and predictably. Unfortunately, this time we could not fully enjoy the advantages of all -wheel drive. Now, if there was an ice snow on the road or rain went
 
Engine
 
 
1. Oil probe. 2. Battery. 3. The tank of the main brake cylinder. 4. Expande tank. 5. The glass of the glass gunner. 6. Tank of the power steering. 7. Battery battery. 7. The oil -stained neck of the engine.

But on dry asphalt, it was possible to find the other side of the coin. It would seem that a 170-horsepower 2.4-liter V6 should be enough for a full-wheel drive business class sedan. Moreover, in memory, the sensations from a trip to a fairly dynamic A6-2.4-Kvattro with a manual box are still fresh in memory. However, we ourselves swelled. In order to understand that this engine goes well with the automatic machine, it was enough to look into the technical characteristics and find that the 2.4-quattro with a tiptron accelerates as much as 1.7 C longer than a similar machine with mechanics.
 
Moreover, in this case, the motor is not to blame, but the box. Testronic was even phlegmatic. And after it was equipped with a sports regime, the standard D became even more lethargic. You press on the pedal, and the car stretches, as if on an elastic band-Hungarian. The reaction to the pressing of a kick-dowan like a chess player. As a result, you have to stomp the gas constantly, and it becomes difficult to predict overtaking, as it is very uncomfortable as a low -commandment. The car becomes more or less adequate only after turning on the sports regime. But what's in D with a complete throttle, in S with moderate pedaling, an inexpensive machine sends almost 20 l/100 km to the pipe, without providing the expected return.
 
No. To modify the kvattro-type type, you definitely need a 3-liter 220-horsepower engine. Significantly more painful, he copes with Tiptronics much better. And for the engine, two and four are needed either a front -wheel drive, or a cavtro with a manual box. But the handle hunters have become less and less recently. Therefore, for the V6 2.4 I would recommend front -wheel drive with multitronics. Such a machine has excellent dynamics, and fuel consumption is moderate, and it is initially only 40 190 euros. Accordingly, additional equipment for it can be chosen more freely.
  
Audi is not necessarily a quattro
If you plan to get fishing or in the winter for the cottage and you like Audi-A6, it is better to take a closer look at allwood. The usual A6-Kvattro is a passenger car without any reservations. In this case, all -wheel drive is needed exclusively for confident driving on slippery roads, and the assault on deep dirt and snowdrifts is contraindicated. But if it happens to get stuck, the croatro can even get out of the diagonal trap thanks to the cross -ose differential of the torsen and the electronic blocking of both inter -normal differentials.
 
By the way, the electronic blocking of the differential by slowing down the masking wheel, coupled with the course stability system, is also available on monotive versions. So the words of Audi and Cvattro are not at all necessary to perceive as synonyms. In the winter, the front-wheel drive Audi-Aid in winter will feel more confident in its rear-wheel drive German counterparts. Therefore, I once again confirm: A6-2.4-multitronics is an absolutely full-fledged and very profitable machine.
 
Operation, service
Audi's commercial and service network in Russia is actively developing. To date, 15 official dealers work in the country, of which five in Moscow and two in St. Petersburg. By the end of the year, the company's representative office plans to open 12 more addresses in various regions.
 
In addition, the Audi Service Center program recently began to work. It provides for the creation of 40 branded technical centers in those cities where the sale of new cars cannot yet become profitable.
 
The level of service of Moscow dealers corresponds to the prestige of the brand both at prices (an average of 50 euros per normal) and in the set of services. Each technical center has a service, ready to provide assistance on the road, as well as a tow truck.
 
Particular attention is paid to corporate clients with Audi car park. They use special prices for spare parts and repair and maintenance, the possibility of a free call of a service mobile or tow truck, the provision of a premium car during the repair and many other benefits.
 
The factory warranty on Audi is two years without limiting the run, and planned are carried out after 15,000 km. There are no problems with supplying spare parts today. Dealers daily receive them from the central Russian warehouse located in the city of Sergiev Posad. In the absence of the necessary part in the central warehouse, it will be delivered by an urgent order from Germany in 710 days.
 
Audi A6 2.4 A/T Quattro
general information
 
Body
5-seater sedan
 
Equipped mass, kg
1585
 
Complete mass, kg
2135
 
Maximum speed, km/h
214
 
Acceleration time 0100 km/h, with
11,1
 
 
Highway fuel consumption/city, l/100 km
8,1/16.1
 
 
Fuel supply, l
70 (AI-95)
 
 
Engine
 
Location
The front is longing
 
Design
gasoline, 6-cylinder, V-shaped, with four upper distributions
 
The number of valves per cylinder
five
 
Diam. cylinder x Piston stroke, mm
81.0x77.4
 
Working volume, SMZ
2393
 
Compression ratio
10.5
 
Power, L.S. at rpm
170/6000
 
Torque, kgsm at rpm
23.4/3200
 
 
Chassis
 
Drive unit
permanent on all wheels with an interdosseous differential torsen
 
Transmission
Automatic, 5-speed
 
Gear rates I; II; III; IV; V; Z.Kh.
3.67; 2.0; 1.41; 1.0; 0.74; 4.1
 
main gear
3.29
 
Suspension:
Independent, spring, with stabilizers of the anti -resistance stability
 
front
at the heights of composite transverse levers
 
behind
on the heights of transverse levers
 
Steering
REMENCH with an amplifier
 
Brakes
disk, frauded in front, with an amplifier, ABS and ESP
 
Tires
205/55 R16
 
Prices for spare parts and that, USD
 
TO1 15,000 km 240
TO2 30,000 km 380
TO3 45,000 km 260
Oil filter 27
Air filter 32
Fuel filter 31
Spark plug (1 pc.) 17
Front belt 118
Brake pads
(front/rear) 148/88
Tip of steering thrust 76
Steering thrust 134
Front suspension levers:
lower front 216
lower rear 139
upper front 96
upper rear 96
Front/rear shock absorber 164/175
Front wing 264
Rear wing 268
Hood 640
Front door 338
The rear door 333
Front bumper assembly 467
Rear bumper assembly 467
Lobic glass 330/506
Side glass (ordinary/two -layer) 46/320
Front headlight assembly (bixenon) 525
Rear lamp assembly 120
     
We decided:
 
Audi-A6 was and remains the most intelligent, most sophisticated car in the prestigious sector of the German business class. But when buying A6, it is very important to choose the right engine and transmission. The V6 2.4 motor is ideally combined with front -wheel drive and multitronics. Or with all -wheel drive and manual box. But if you need a cavtro with a machine gun, definitely choose a 3-liter engine.
 
Alexander Konov, photo Alexander Sadovnikov
 
 

A source: Magazine "Limousine" [06/03]