Quattro or xDrive?

Explain about the concepts. Four-wheel drive on all vehicles from Audi longitudinal engine layout for ages - I mean since 1980 - was distinguished by a symmetrical center differential. That is thrust from the engine is constantly divided between the axles equally, 50 to 50. With rare exception, will talk about that later, as arranged all the cars Audi A4, A6, Allroad, and A8 quattro. Including A6 3.2 quattro, which we took on this test.Firma BMW also made the all-wheel drive cars. But in Munich, once chosen a slightly different concept - asymmetrical. Already in the first all-wheel drive "treshki» BMW 325iX sample in 1985 was applied to the front axle only 38% of torque to the rear as well - 62%. So few were built all-wheel-drive cars BMW - until 2003, when the general refused to Munich center differential and moved to xDrive. This system is even more "asymmetric": the constant drive - only the rear wheels. A front end is connected via a multi-plate clutch automatically by the decision elektroniki.Iznachalno our sympathies were with the quattro. Because of this system - quarter-century of experience, rally victory ... In addition, the differential Torsen, which is used by Audi, - this is a purely mechanical device. Its characteristics are given once and for gear-cutting machines. But xDrive ... What is "wired" in the program that controls clutch? When and how to tighten its clutches, what percentage will go to pull the front wheels? One programmer vedomo.V normal modes on the asphalt all-wheel drive "Five» BMW is no different from rear-wheel drive. Fighting vehicle! Acute reactions to management, higher limits for lateral loads on the speed ... not relax. And the lack of comfort - suspension BMW is clearly tougher than the Audi. Already on the way to the landfill set clear priorities: Munich "Five" is good for the sport-oriented drivers, and "Six" from Ingolstadt, with more noticeable roll and a softer suspension - for all ostalnyh.Dmitrovsky ground we were met by a lack of snow. In anticipation of bad weather decided to make the standard cycle of "asphalt" measurements - in spite of the difference in power between Audi (255 hp) and BMW (218 hp). However, "the five" lost in accelerating the dynamics a little - less than a second time, a set of "hundreds". And for convenience wins BMW traction control - "machine" is traditionally a "rapid-fire" than Audi.I then, finally, the long-awaited snow. Turning off the stabilization system, mark up "slippery" a winding road - and more! The speedometer is dancing between markers 40 and 140 km / h, the tachometer needle rages in the upper zone of the scale ... In these circumstances, Audi managed slozhnee.My earlier met with the fact that the Torsen center differential on AWD Audi gives the car a tendency to drift Chuck and controversial to changes in traction. And now Audi A6 3.2 quattro only confirmed our nablyudeniya.S one hand, the "six" a greater margin of stability. It's good on the line. But if it's too soon to fly up to the slippery curves, the Audi will be obstinate, and in any case, you will slide out the front wheels turn - and with the discharge gas, and in the appendix. Then begin to slide the rear wheels - and the car goes into a skid. And guess when the demolition will be replaced skid, neprosto.Naprimer, we decide to "refuel» Audi in turn thrust. Helm, gas - the car blows out. But we were counting on that, so I added the gas in advance, calculate the duration of the phase drift. And then, finally, slowly begins to desire a skid, we want to use the good - to use it to "tighten" the car into a turn under the hood. But there it was! At some point, the car stands across the road. The reverse movement of the wheel, the discharge of gas - the situation is under control again. But turn to go under the hood did not work. Yes, and to predict the time of the "failure" practically nevozmozhno.A if the input in turn slow down the engine? Again there is no unequivocal response - first the front wheels slip, and then zanos.Poezdiv, of course, we get used to control traction and skidding to the Audi driven drift. But it was not easy even for drivers with a huge opytom.A now - BMW.Sovsem another matter! First, the xDrive system is configured to store the hazardous nature of the car rear wheel drive. "Dress" the car into the turn is not working. No need to pre-induce a skid - just to throttle input, and a BMW without a second thought will slide the rear wheels. Bank is growing more rapidly than the Audi, but if in time "catch" its thrust and steering wheel, the rotation can take place in a controlled glides - effectively, quickly and with pleasure. After two or three laps to the electronic veil of mistrust "X-drive" is completely dissipated - wheel drive system is logical and works completely silently! However, in the front glides on BMW 525Xi «paddles" are not as active as we would like a little discouraging skidding on corner exit. But even with this control, "Five" is easier. Because its behavior more clearly. If the Audi is a chain of "Demolition - gradual drift - a sharp drift" (a double change in the character), then BMW on slippery surfaces and answer to reset the gas, and adding a thrust - rear sliding koles.Nashi impression was confirmed by a stopwatch - the BMW snow-covered highway about two kilometers in length can be overcome in two seconds faster than the Audi. Moreover, the effect of tires on this result is minimal - both cars shod with winter tires Studless about the same level. However, the success of BMW lies not only in the transmission. His contribution makes the suspension work - even on slippery surfaces is noticeable that more Audi rolls in the corners. And the weight distribution of the BMW is more favorable in terms of manageability - 52:48 against 57:43 in Audi. «And why do all of this driver saloon business class? - You ask. - Especially if it does not disable the system stabilize? "We rode and included with the system stabilization. And even through the prism of DSC or ESP well feel that BMW 525Xi willingly enters into a corner and kept on the arc better than the Audi A6! Because of this work and weight distribution and suspension tuning, and - most importantly on the ice and snow - "rear-wheel-oriented" full privod.Da live xDrive? We like it more. True, a warning of current and future owners of four-wheel drive BMW: DSC system is worth to disable only those who have passed special courses and has a steady skills of sports driving rear-wheel drive and cars. Indeed, for all its uniqueness xDrive assumes a high, almost a "rear-wheel drive" a tendency to drift, which requires quick and precise steering and gas operations. A transient on this car are developing much faster than the Audi, and leave no time for a traditional razdumiy.Nu Audi quattro drive with a symmetrical center differential Torsen - it's reliability in the management of this active safety, but ... Even in Ingolstadt feel that this concept is somewhat outdated. And so the last "charged" model Audi - RS4 and S8 - for the first time in the history of the company are equipped with an asymmetric distribution of traction Thorsen 40:60, as in the first four-wheel drive BMW. The ice has broken? What price?-Wheel-drive Audi A6 sedan affordable competitor - version 2.4 quattro Co 177-strong V6 engine and six-step "mechanics" can be purchased for $ 51,995 (at $ 2833 more expensive front-drive cars). Three-liter engine with Polnoprivodniki (218 hp) range from $ 63 644 and with 255-horsepower 3.2 FSI, equipped with direct injection - from $ 66 915. For "automatic» Tiptonic to pay $ 2132. Diesel cars 3.0 TDI (224 hp, up from $ 70 523) and the top version Audi A6 4.2 (335 hp, up from $ 89 316) are offered only with all-wheel drive transmission. Audi A6 Avant wagon is more expensive sedans in an average of $ 3200 and also available in front-wheel drive and BMW 525Xi ispolnenii.Polnoprivodny comes from Germany only to the "automatic" trim in Business (53 900 euros) and the Business + (power seats, side curtain, sound system - 61 300 euro), which is 4600 euros more expensive rear-drive BMW 525i from Kaliningrad. The three-liter BMW 530Xi costs from 72,700 euros and diesel BMW 525Xd (231 hp) - from 68 300 euro. Top-model BMW 540i (306 hp, 78,500 euros) and the BMW 550i (367 hp, 88,400 euros) are available only with rear-wheel drive. Fifth series wagon on our market is not competitive predstavleny.Garantiynye obligations are the same - 2 years with unlimited mileage.