Audi Allroad 2000 test drive - 2006 SUV
Skorokhod for all roads
Audi Allroad Quattro all -wheel drive station wagon
The fact that the Audi Allroad three years after the debut received in his favor another significant argument - a 300 -horsepower engine - is not surprising. Many manufacturers go to a similar step, wanting to ensure the second wind of the model entering the time of sunset. Where does this statement come from? In the next spring, the next generation Audi A6 debuts at the Geneva Motor Show - that is, a new base for updating Allroad will appear. Accordingly, in a year and a half, the appearance of a new all-wheel drive station wagon should be expected. What kind of gap is delayed?
In the meantime, we have what we have. Old Allroad remained the same universal car as he was at the time of birth. Not to say that the dandy, but in its own way very attractive. Not to say that a real SUV, but also outside the asphalt capable of exploits. Compared to the usual AAAN universal, the machine seems to be a pumped up steroids by Mr. Olympia. In fact, the whole thing lies in a pendant that has the property if necessary to stand on tiptoe. It is simple to control it - for that, there are two buttons on the front panel. Here is an example.
The quarry in the vicinity of Ingolstadt, where the Alload entered, having a road clearance of 19.2 cm, that is, standard. However, large stones began to come across under the wheels, and therefore so as not to scratch the bottom (although it was covered with additional steel protection), my colleague and I decided not to take risks and raised the car above - up to 20.8 cm. This process is absolutely unnoticed, but completely Soon, the all -wheel drive station wagon could already argue with the clearance with real SUVs. Having left later on the road and gaining 35 km/h, the car again fell to the ground, dropping to the standard 19.2 cm, and, having crossed the line of 80 km/h, reduced the clearance by another 25 mm. Finally, at high speeds (for 130 km/h), the car is pressed as much as possible to the road - at this moment the road clearance is 14.2 cm. All these perturbations, I recall, occur in automatic mode, but the driver can adjust the clearance on his own. The pneumatic elements of the suspension know a change in the road clearance, which, as necessary, are filled with air, lifting the body, or, on the contrary, lose weight.
In a compact body - a healthy mind
However, enough to play with the suspension - not for that we undertook to test alload. The main change that encouraged us to re -get to know the car was the V8 engine. The same motor, by the way, is installed on A6 and S6 models. However, the base of the latter, in order to accommodate the mighty power unit, was 37 mm in front, which in the case of Alload seemed absolutely unacceptable - this would significantly worsen its off -road abilities. Therefore, it was decided to change the engine itself, to make it more compact. So, the place of fan of the cooling system with a viscous factor was taken by one part with an electric drive; Four distributions are set in motion not with belts, but by a chain. All these innovations made it possible to cut the length of the V8 by 52 mm - up to 46.4 cm. Plus, magnesium alloys are widely used in the engine structure that reduced the total mass of the engine by 5 kg.
Let's move on to the numbers. So, with a volume of 4.2 liters, the eight gives 300 hp. and 380 Nm traction in the range from 2,700 to 4 600 rpm. Is it a lot or not enough? I will say this - enough for the car, which was a station wagon of business class. Add here all -wheel drive - and get a powerful car that is much more reliably behaved on a road with any coating.
For example, the eyes of a young journalist who came to the test, who, in my opinion, are still open a little wider than usual, could tell about the remarkable potential of the motor. The fact is that, leaving the parking of the plant in Ingolstadt, where we took the car, I tried to squeeze the tight stream of cars without losing my time. Well, and the accelerator pedal pressed tightly. To say that Alload quickly accelerated will perhaps not too correct. The station wagon so briskly rushed from the place that, already, after a moment, I was actively inhibited, so as not to fit into the trunk of an SUV, which I settled down. At this time, something strange happened in the back seat where the girl was sitting. At first I saw her wide open eyes, and then I heard the unflattering tirade about my abilities to drive a vehicle. Perhaps I actually overdo it with a spectacular start, simply not expecting such swiftness from a familiar, in general, car. However, I ask you to notice that for a second I did not lose control over it.
Having landed the obstinate passenger at the hotel, I went on. By the way, do not think that the flagship alload is so sharp and impulsive. If you smoothly press the gas pedal, the car responds no less calmly, so it was not difficult to roll in the city stream. All this time, the Tiptronic automatic transmission selector was in position D. But there is also a sports regime S, but it is better to try it on an autobahn. Honestly, the movement on the flat track somewhat disappointed me - acoustic comfort in the cabin could be at a higher level. But, on the other hand, we rushed headlong in the left row with a constantly turned on the turn signal (if anyone suddenly does not know, then this is a civilized way to ask to give way) at a maximum speed of 240 km/h. The engine worked at high speeds, under the wheels there was a very rough asphalt, and even the oncoming wind noisily expressed its claims, hitting the rear view mirrors. But at 200 km/h the car was quite comfortable.
As for acceleration, in Sport mode it has become even more sharp. Say, up to 100 km/h Alload accelerates in just 7.2 s. Thanks to the hidden settings of the transmission mechanism, the moment of their shift is practically imperceptibly, that is, as you pressed at the start into the chair, it does not let go to about 210 km/h. Then the pace subsides and the maximum 240 km/h the car is gaining, which is natural, not so willing, but everything is early controversial.
In addition to the sports regime, the box is also equipped with a manual selection of ranges - using the rolls on the steering wheel, you can switch transmission as if it are ordinary mechanics. It is noteworthy - it is possible not only in manual mode, but also with the applied position of Sport. For example, you need to quickly overtake the truck on a narrow path. To do this, just click on the petal with a minus icon on the steering wheel - the box will go a step lower, increasing the engine speed. And after eight seconds, the checkpoint itself will return to the automatic mode.
In relation to behavior on the road, Audi Allroad did not become a revelation, but did not disappoint. Given its height and weight, as well as a heavier front, it is difficult to expect from a car of habits of a sports model. Nevertheless, in the turns, the station wagon showed itself quite worthy - the body is only slightly tanned, the steering wheel is quite informative. And low -profile rubber added sensitivity.
Finally, about the urgent. The cost of the base version of AlloD 4.2 - 62,400 euros. The package includes almost all the benefits - a lot of electric drives, climate control, skin -trimmed with a leather and a tree, as well as heating the front seats, extremely comfortable front seats Ergomatic, Concert radio, xenon headlights, alarm, decorative strips made of walnut root.
The main competitors are the same half -year -olds Volvo Cross Country and Subaru Outback.
Sergey Ilyinsky
Ingolstadt-Moscow
Brief technical characteristics of Audi Allroad Quattro 4.2
Engine volume, cubic meter. See: 4172
The number of valves for the cylinder: 4
Power, l. With. at about./min.: 300/6200
Max. Torque, Nm/at about. min.: 380/2700-4600
Acceleration to 100 km/h, p.: 7.2
Maximum speed, km/h: 240
Average fuel consumption l./100 km.: 13.8
Fuel tank volume, l.: 70
Dimensions, mm.: 4810x1850x1550
A source: "Automobile Izvestia"
