Selection without compromise

In the middle of the summer we have meticulously selected a car on a long test. Alas, the editor in chief flatly rejected options such as Ferrari 550 Maranello, BMW X5 Hamann or Mercedes SLK AMG (not very much and want!). The problem was posed in the military simply: determine which of the vehicles on set of consumer qualities may be of interest not so much to us as "the emerging Russian bourgeoisie," to estimate optimal configuration and find a company that is ready to provide us with the machine under test run of 20 thousand kilometers of Russian. Given the important fact that almost six months in our latitude winter rude, clearly decided (sorry for the pun) to stay on full drive. Do not feeding much enthusiasm about the price / quality of consumer imports, "UAZ", set about searching the car. Moreover, the price ceiling 'fathers commanders' wisely limited the bar $ 30,000. rummaged in their database and assessing the situation on the market come to the most responsible task: what to choose - Audi A4 quattro or Subaru Legacy 4WD? on this couple, our choice was not accidental: in spite of the apparent success of many automakers Sales of passenger polnoprivodnikov, Audi and Subaru are on the highest rung of the podium with the proud inscription «AWD». Both companies are pioneers in the development of All Wheel Drive. Their rally team owns five world championship titles in the plant classification, and three - in the individual competition pilots. When you see the Audi Quattro in the early 80's world of simple car was completely different, and Subaru the late 90's many manufacturers to pave the way by which their intelligent all-wheel drive wagon will move for many years and miles of ... Both cars in our couple - with a twist. Audi proudly sparkles shildikom «1,8 T quattro» on the trunk lid - but brand-wheel drive transmission with worm interaxable limited-slip differential and electronic Torsen interwheel locks A4 armed with 20-valve engine 1.8 turbo pressure. 9 2 kg per horsepower, 5-speed manual - 8.9 sec to the first hundred and "maximum speed" of 222 km / h look for this unit is not the limit. Subaru offered us a complete set of GL - became classics during the life of a 4-cylinder aspirated 2.5-liter oppozitnik coupled with automatic gearbox accelerates to hundreds of Legacy for 9 seconds, and acceleration stops when the speedometer needle "lean" to mark "210". At the moment of the distribution of the axes used transfer case and viskomufty, in standard situations smack 36% of the front axle and 64% - zadney.Professor Rozanov, of course, will express its opinion on academic forms and proportions. I'm just going to share impressions from a few days behind the wheel of each car. Audi A4 vast majority of others is perceived as a sign of life being the owner , a certain element in the hierarchical chain of social achievements, among which, besides the "right" car, its place is occupied by a nice apartment in a prestigious area, sports hall in the trendy expensive, with a family vacation at ski resorts and thoughtful reading of the business press over morning coffee in front of briefings . more surprising was the reaction of others to my lanky figure in a tracksuit at the wheel when I flew like a madman, with Khodynka, rushed to the nearest gas station and the gloves Sparco, clutched at filling pistol, demanding to pour me another full tank test races. "abnormal!" - spinning normal finger to his temple. "Hound Dog ..." - desperately fended off us old-timers of the A4 between high rises and Khodynka field Khoroshevsky shosse.K my great surprise, Subaru Legacy is not so favorably regarded by most Russian . On the one hand, like the time has passed when our fellow citizens distrusted the auto industry Land of the Rising Sun - now this fate safely "covered" "Koreans." However, Subaru, having absolutely honored and as absolutely unquestionable authority among the fans of motor sports, less progressive part of humanity is accused of unreasonably high prices and overly complex in terms of maintenance and repair, construction, involving the use of rather complex circuits and proprietary all-wheel drive boxer engine using "like Porsche." Why, "that Porsche's great, the Legacy's death "? Perhaps the cause of all our European orientation, in which any product from Europe is perceived as" his "and with open arms, while the" outsiders »« made in Asia »still causes more suspicion than endorsements?, however, eaten a pood sand and salt on our roads metropolitan taxi drivers and road policemen dreamed aloud, looking at both of our cars: "Here we have for the winter such bulldozers ...». This inequality is obvious if we compare the salons. Audi is not in itself a rich configuration looks a model of style and ergonomics. It's very convenient, logical, and so "right" way, which sometimes becomes just boring. Assessing the layout decisions, considering the instrument panel and center console, listening to standard stereo, and feeling the materials making up the interior details can not be denied - A4 is not difficult to compete with the best representatives of their class. It's amazing how the Germans were able to so rapidly "break out in people." After all, even what some 10 years ago, no one language is turned to call uncouth "vosmidesyatku" "luxury car"! From I note two drawbacks - a tall driver will from time to time experienced difficulties because of the close proximity of the right foot with the wall of the central tunnel, and the back seat - in the long run - just enough for everyone, provided that a particularly long-legged leave separately on the A8. The rest of the "Quartet" equipped "to five": climate control, parking sensors, ESP, ABS, front and side airbags, heated seats, electric windows and exterior mirrors, along with all wheel drive turbo engine and make the A4 one of the most attractive offers in our market for the money. Subaru at the "look inside" looks much more modest. Despite the leather interior and automatic transmission, the Japanese car can not compete with the Germans in the level of comfort and ... "social significance", or something ... Of the 14 years he spent behind the wheel the last five, I am pleased and shamelessly "used by the Japanese." What did not tried: Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Subaru - and every one of their "narrow-eyed horses' remained very happy. Reliable, undemanding and light" in communion " they are always up for a lack of luxury superior ergonomics and excellent driving characteristics. Legacy GL too difficult to blame the lack of respect and attention to the driver and passengers. If we consider the salon without the price and completion of a competitor - just enough of everything in its place. However, if we approach than A4, and Legacy principle (note that the price of Subaru of the strong yen for a couple of thousand higher than the Audi!), it seems that while the Japanese decided, it is important European market or not, rest assured that the driving characteristics for "middle class" is more important than the level provided for such money comfort, German manufacturers have made the right conclusions from the US-Japan auto wars and raised the bar "of humanity" to such heights, where the samurai jump will now oh how difficult, how we expected, in excellent ride quality of these machines had no doubt for a second. Both the applicant for a place in the garage showed excellent editorial handling, transporting testers enormous pleasure in this hard-edged drive "in full." However, if at any time, Subaru is ready to gamble "revenge tail" in the ligaments of turns and requires the driver to at least some idea about the theory of control four-wheel drive (or at least the car at all), the Audi control of the situation takes on a whole "shop" auxiliary systems, reliably tracking the car to not go beyond what is permitted. Easy take out of the hand guard, responsible for the work of ESP, ABS and electronic cross-axle lock (Warning: Do not repeat this hooliganism under any circumstances!) - and in the hands of us is perfect for sports equipment production and release of excess adrenaline weight. Full speed ahead! No compromises! hardly be a surprise to you that our final choice fell on the Audi A4 quattro. That he has to live with us 20 000 kilometers of joint, which we describe in detail on our pages. The first report - "10 000 km" - will be in the next issue of "Cars" - our stand "four" is not necessary. And Subaru on our team will be truly missed. Great was the Audi sparring partner. honestly fought with the Germans in the same weight class. That's just something to mess with the Japanese price category