Test drive Audi A6 2005 - 2008 sedan

The choice of the road

Two symbols are a letter and a number. In the sea of \u200b\u200bdifferences between the first and second generations, the Allroad Quattro, they are a lighthouse showing the Audi course chosen.

 
At first glance, a catch can not be noticed. And the whole focus in the A6 index. Previously, if you remember, Audi Allroad was on its own, presented as an independent, unique car in the Audi lineup. Now this is just one of the hypostases of the six. And although the individuality and non-formatism of the model is still emphasized, it is clear that AlloD has somewhat entered into circulation. But this does not mean at all that it has become worse. On the contrary, even a slightly large share of non -conformism appeared in it. But this is not quite his merit, Q7 tried here. After all, before AlloD was bought by those who wanted to get a universal car: suitable for everyday use and outdoor activities and at the same time quite representative. Recently they were offered Q7. But the one who is also rich in taste will still prefer Allroad.

 
He is also prettier to me. Even just outwardly. Differences from A6 AVANT are in black bumpers, plastic extensors of wheeled arches, door pads. And in front and back from under the bottom, powerful metal panels peek out, which protect the engine of the engine and the rear overhang. With such a deeper track, and more steep sandy dunes are not terrible than these, on the shores of the Klyazminsky reservoir, along which alload go to the gusk during the Russian presentation.

 
Not scary? Upon closer examination, the metal is plastic and confidence in Allroad's all -resistance does not add this. And when looking at the fake plastic knitting needles - the linings that are attached to the wheeled disks - she completely begins to take up positions. If I were the owner of such wheels, any non -acheated area would have traveled a mile away - God knows how much dealers ask for this decoration

 
And then, as if in confirmation of sad thoughts, one of the demonstration cars with an excessively zealous driver flies out of the marked track and freezes, smoothing a solid parapet. The climax of the evening?

 
However, we will be fair, in that situation any car would be helpless - Audi was planted seriously. But the fact remains - the new Allroad is much less than the All Road than the previous one. He does not have more reduced transmission, and in general, there are no changes in the transmission compared to A6 Avant Quattro. In fact, everything that alloads distinguishes from the station wagon is an air suspension with adjustable road clearance. The Q7 has a similar one. She is also capable of lifting the body over the road by extra 6 centimeters, but if the maximum clearance of SUV is 24 centimeters, then Allroad, of course, is more modest - 18.5. And again, this is less than that of the previous Allroad-he could vary the clearance within 14-21 centimeters.
 

In a sense, the air suspension can be considered an element of the exterior - the appearance of Alload varies depending on the selected mode. In the Dynamic position, when only 12.5 centimeters are separated from the road, the car is like a alligator that fell to the ground with wide -placed paws. Good! In the upper position (Lift), the species is already different, but also bewitching.
 

The A6 salon, and it went to AlloD unchanged, again pleased with excellent ergonomics. Everything is strong here in their places and in the best quality! And here is the main news-the graphic interface MMI (AlloD is equipped only with a system with a 6.5-inch color display) spoke Russian! True, only partly - the names of the main menu items, the texts of the tips and some substitution are Russified, but the main functions, for example, the modes of air suspension are still displayed in English.
 

Before the start, I pay attention to the outer rear view mirrors - their area became larger due to the increased width. Everything, conquer the motor.
 

The first Allroad in Russia appeared with a 3.2-liter V6 with direct fuel injection. The remaining three power units - 2.7 TDI, 3.0 TDI and 4.2 FSI - promise to be very interesting, but it is the gasoline six that the golden middle is seen for this machine.
 

There is always a stock of traction, therefore, the proposals for acceleration invariably find a response in its aluminum-non-interior heart. As always, the machine is good - it works almost imperceptibly, the switching moments selects on time. Against this background, the gaze pedal is upset - the right foot works with too large amplitude. It is strange that when moving to a sports regime, this insensibility disappears at the pedal only partially, but it is almost completely cured in manual. You can activate this regime at any time by pressing one of the steering wheel drives, and it is nice to move in it - the transmission reacts immediately to the shift commands.
 

It was also surprised that the engine, starting already from 2000 rpm, is clearly heard in the cabin, and this sound can hardly be called pleasant. Really beautiful and gambling, the motor begins to sing only 4000 rpm. Immediately the desire to understand what he is capable of. On the highway - please, 7.7 seconds to 100 km/h - a cool result, and the maximum speed is 240 km/h too. However, to enjoy 255 forces and the QUATTRO drive in sliding on the asphalt, you will have to forget. The inscription on the ESP OFF button tells the truth, but not all - it activates the ESP Offroad mode, in which the stabilization system changes the algorithm of its work: intervenes in the driver’s actions later, allows a small slip and slip. But it is effectively using these concessions only on slippery or bulk coatings. There, alloD under the gas easily goes into lateral sliding with all wheels and is also easily controlled by gas.
 

Brakes work great, the nature of the pedal effort is especially pleasant, which allows you to very accurately control the dynamics of deceleration. It is only a pity that it cannot be supported by braking by the engine - it is too easily untwisted and the effect is weak.

 

As always, Audi is perfectly configured by a hydraulic wrap - with speed growth, it is poured simply by a reference effort, with performance with rapid rotation - full order. In general, despite the fact that the Alload has significantly narrowed about A6 Avant (43 mm in front and 31 from behind), it still pleases with excellent sled settings. In any road position of the suspension (Dynamic, Automatic or Comfort) is a collected, responsive car that gives great driver's pleasure. When the body is lowered to the lowest position, AlloD even becomes tough in sporting. The same thing, I remember, happened with Q7, but the ALLROD suspension was more likely more - it is more confident. The surprise was that the Comfort mode is only slightly different from Dynamic; Nothing to me, but many will definitely wish more delicacy.

 
A decent road is coming to an end - time to think not so much about comfort as about the possibility of further advancement. I choose a controller by the controller, this mode should not be used in case of emergency for a slow detour of large obstacles: the raised suspension almost completely chooses the collection and you can move at a speed of up to 35 km/h. I choose the Alload mode and wait for the automation to pumps the cylinders to the desired state, first the back, then the front, again the rear, again the front ones and so on, until all bricks, except for the latter, are painted on the MMI display. Now between the road and the lower point of the body is 175 mm, so you can blame the country, almost without analyzing the road. Only you need to remember that after 80 km/h, Alload will automatically drop to a level of 160 mm (and after 120 km/h - up to 125 mm).
 

And here is the first serious obstacle - a bumpy sandy rise. Now it is just LIFT, raising in an extreme position requires a lot of time and efforts of compressors - 6 cm between Dynamic and Lift the body overcomes in about 70 seconds, and almost a third of this time goes to the last breakthrough (the reverse process lasts 40 seconds). Brushing the brakes and scattering the stream of sand, AlloD confidently climbs onto the hill and even (not without effort, though) a soil stepped rise passes. Well done!
 

But, frankly, this is already too much. Allroad has been fulfilling his task for a long time. Now is the time to leave it, and do some of the road with your own way. After all, this is the active rest! And in order to not choose roads at all - for this Alload is too expensive.
 

Audi Allroad Quattro price and configuration
 
 
Dealers sell machines with two gasoline engines (3.2 FSI, 4.2 FSI) and two diesel (2.7 TDI and 3.0 TDI).) A car with gasoline V6 can be ordered as with a 6-speed manual transmission (from $ 72,974 ), and with the Tiptronic automatic transmission (from $ 75 097). The eight are offered only with an automaton - at a price of $ 96,702. Prices for diesel modifications begin at $ 74,586.
 

The standard package of the car includes adaptive air suspension, wheels R17, ESP (unites ABS, BA, EBV, ASR, EDS), MMI system, a radio with a 6-channel amplifier and 10 speakers, parkingate with a graphic display, on-board computer, separate climate control , leather steering wheel, airbags, leather seats, front seats with electric drive and heating, rain sensor, automatic near light, bi-ksenon headlights. The standard equipment of the Allroad C V8 is distinguished by the R18 discs, a steering wheel with wooden inserts and an electrically adjustable steering column.
 

As additional options, a rear view video camera is offered, an improved stereo system, cruise control, a trunk lid, a multifunction steering wheel, R18 discs, adaptive headlights, a roof hatch, a tv tuner and much more.
 

Text: Sergey Knowemsky

 
 
 

Source: Motor magazine [July 2006]