Audi attracts us, and the Allroad in particular, with its aluminum lightness, permanent all-wheel drive, precise handling, and excellent engine. Permanent all-wheel drive is what you need. Systems that engage the second axle only when necessary are too vulnerable. In many models, they often overheat. Sometimes they work unpredictably. But the simple mechanical central Quattro differential always remains cool and predictable. It is ready to work even before the ignition key is turned. Recently, Audi engineers changed the torque distribution settings between the axles, and now without slipping, 60% of the torque goes to the rear wheels. This added a sporty character to the car.
ONLY TWO LITERS
In Russia, the A4 Allroad is offered with only one powertrain — a two-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. Its features: direct fuel injection into the cylinders, turbocharging, and a variable valve timing system. In total, this gives 211 horsepower. But we are especially pleased that the peak torque of 350 Nm is achieved already at 1500 rpm. For driving on loose soil and snow, this is ideal. We have already tested this on the Q5 with the same engine. Moreover, the Audi turbo unit is also economical. Fuel consumption is like a two-liter, but dynamics are like a three-liter. Not surprisingly, it made it into three nominations of the Engine of the Year 2009 competition.
Now about the drawbacks. The central Quattro differential does not have a forced lock. In difficult off-road situations, this can be a problem. Electronics partially solves it. Audi has an ESP offroad mode that works more effectively than simply turning off the stability control system. It is a pity that the A4 Allroad is just a station wagon with increased ground clearance, while on the Q5 crossover with the same scheme but better geometry, you can drive much more boldly.
And the official, and the businessman, and the showman — everyone wants to get from Audi what they need. The brand's ideologists have finally gotten confused. Are they making a solid car? One hundred percent. I would even say that Audi is overly formal in appearance. At the same time, it tries with all its might to be sporty. And also off-road capable. Where on Kutuzovsky are there hairpins, sand, and clay ruts? I don't argue, the A4 will definitely be good on Alpine serpentines, but for Russia, the rear-wheel-drive character is a dubious advantage, especially in winter and even in Moscow. Safety and ride smoothness are what matter most, because our roads are not only snowy but also broken. Therefore, everything I say excellent about Audi is somewhat virtual, but one cannot help but admire the new Allroad. Even our photographer liked it, who until now had a humorous attitude towards everything except Mercedes-Benz.
On the first test drive, I was surprised at how quiet the A4 Allroad is. The plastic never rattled or squeaked. I remember how the interiors of the Q7 and Q5 sounded not premium at all, and I had already written off trim rattles as a generic trait of the brand. I was wrong. Incredibly, the little Allroad both looks and drives much more harmoniously than the Q7. This makes one think: it seems Audi is much better at mid-size cars. Moreover, even if we mean not only driving pleasure but also comfort.
Acceleration, braking, steering — everything goes without hesitation, in one line. But it always requires active driver participation. This Audi cannot do it alone; it demandingly involves you in its games. You know: here it would be good to press harder, and there to steer, and everything should work out. Relaxed driving in the A4 Allroad? Buy yourself something else — for example, a VW Touareg.
SPECS: AUDI A4 ALLROAD
SMOOTHNESS MINUS OFF-ROAD CAPABILITY
Having assessed the geometric off-road capability, we did not go to the quarry. The point is not only in the approach and departure angles, but also in the wheelbase. It is extended due to a clever design. The differential is located before the clutch, right behind the engine. This technical solution helped engineers move the front axle forward. The result: better directional stability and ride smoothness, but worse off-road capability. The Audi representative office has a special off-road track in the Moscow region for the little Allroad, where both the sills and bumpers remain intact. Someday we will definitely visit it. In the meantime, the new all-wheel-drive station wagon passed a strength test in an ordinary Moscow courtyard. I did not notice that road workers had pulled out one of the curb stones, and while parking, I fell into that hole with the right rear wheel, and even hung the left one. I gently pressed the gas pedal. I made sure the attempt was useless and got out to assess the scale of the incident. During this time, a council of a janitor and two homeless people gathered around the car. "We need to jack it up," said one of them. After some hesitation (the car is expensive after all), I climbed back in and pressed the pedal without regret all the way to the floor. And the A4 Allroad got out. The honor of the brand was saved. At least in front of the aforementioned audience. And I once again made sure that Quattro does not tolerate tenderness. If you press, press hard.
