Locomotive / Audi test drives

For those who don't care how a car is built, but only care about the ability to quickly and comfortably get from point A to point B, dry figures like 400/1400–3250 in the torque specs are unlikely to say anything significant. However, it is precisely for this category of drivers that this Audi A4 with a 2.7-liter V6 turbodiesel and a continuously variable transmission was created. This combination provides that very "locomotive" effect, where there are no surges or jerks during acceleration – just a smooth and confident build-up of speed. Audi does the same, but at a much higher pace: the hundred is reached in eight seconds. And how impressive it is!

Torque is available from the very bottom – smooth, direct, swift! The operation of the CVT is almost imperceptible, although it plays a key role: thanks to the smooth change in the gear ratio, such impeccable dynamics are achieved. It feels as if the car is being pulled by some giant invisible force. A force with a power of 190 horsepower, which, in fact, is hidden under the hood and drives the front wheels – the CVT on the Audi is combined only with front-wheel drive. These "horses" behave calmly: they don't make noise, don't act up, don't give away anything extra. Only at idle can you hear a soft muffled rattle from outside, and inside you feel a barely noticeable vibration. The engine sound insulation is so good that its operation is almost inaudible in the cabin in any mode.

All that is required of the driver is to press the gas pedal. I tried playing with the manual mode of the CVT, where eight pseudo-gears are available. Funny, but useless: it only causes jerks when shifting and loses the main advantage – that very smoothness of acceleration. This is the main plus and at the same time the main enemy for those who like to drive fast. Fast, confident, reliable, with a huge reserve of torque at any moment – but boring. Not everyone is ready to drive like an electric car. But the opinion may change if you look at fuel consumption. During the test, with very active driving, the average consumption was 12.5 liters per 100 km. A gasoline V6 with a volume of about 3 liters under the same conditions barely fit into 20 liters per hundred. At the same time, their dynamics are almost the same, although the nature of acceleration is different.

The character of the car is controlled by a mode switch that affects the transmission, engine, suspension, and steering. Three positions – Comfort, Auto, and Dynamic (plus Individual, where parameters are adjusted via MMI) – do not turn the Audi into three completely different cars, but the effect of their activation is felt. This is especially noticeable in the steering and in the response to pressing the gas pedal. In "comfort," the steering wheel turns very easily, and the throttle response is heavily smoothed; in "dynamic," the steering wheel fills with heaviness in corners, and the "horses" under the hood instantly break into a gallop. The suspension reacts less to these changes. On 17-inch wheels, the Audi demonstrates an excellent balance between comfort and sportiness in any mode. The switch only slightly shifts this balance in one direction or another. There are no extremes – neither a sports car nor a limousine will come out of this A4, no matter which button you press.

What I liked most was the combination: engine, CVT, and steering – in Dynamic mode, and suspension – in Comfort. The car doesn't shake, it doesn't bounce on bumps, but a noticeable effort appears on the steering wheel, and the engine and CVT work to the fullest, like a "locomotive." This is an excellent option for long trips on suburban highways, where you need to accelerate powerfully when overtaking, and the surface is not always ideal. Handling here, like dynamics, is reliable and confident, but without sharpness. If you overdo the corner entry speed – there will be predictable understeer. If you release the gas – the car tucks in. Provoking a drift is difficult. And ESP is on guard, nipping any wheelspin or sideways sliding in the bud.

The main trump cards of this "four" are the ideal smoothness of acceleration and excellent fuel efficiency. This car cannot be called temperamental, despite good dynamics and a firm suspension. If you want more driving excitement, it's worth looking at other versions of the A4, perhaps even with a manual gearbox. But for calm driving – you can't think of anything better.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

The new generation of the 2.7 V6 TDI engine is another step in evolution. Compared to the previous engine of the same displacement, it has become more powerful by 10 hp and more torquey by 20 Nm. Each cylinder is equipped with four valves. The injection system is common rail, with a variable-geometry turbocharger. The exhaust meets the Euro-5 standard. Compared to the older 3-liter V6 turbodiesel, the displacement is reduced due to a shortened piston stroke (83.1 mm instead of 91.4 mm) with an unchanged bore. Less displacement – better fuel efficiency: 6.6 liters per hundred versus 6.8 liters.