Synthetics for the road

For those who watch the automotive world, the name of Walter de Silva, knows very well. This is, without doubt, one of the best contemporary designers. At each new job de Silva brings something unusual, interesting, expressive and appealing design of machines next grade. Each time his task was complicated. Why? Because promotions are constantly led him to a company with a more "stringent" notions of exterior of the car. Remember, were first Alfa Romeo, SEAT and Lamborghini. But the leadership of Alfa never objected to the experiments, and drawn by Walter Model 147 and 156 were very helpful and gained immense popularity. In the SEAT, which at that time was in a very deplorable situation, the maestro also given carte blanche, and he created the Altea and Leon - cars, clearly recognizable. Working on the Lamborghini, de Silva raised his hand to the "classics": it was the Miura concept stunning modern transcription of the legendary supercar of the 1960s. Then the situation became more difficult: Walter became the chief designer of Audi, the company is very conservative. And this year he moved to the pretty behind the times Volkswagen. Let's see what will come up where de Silva (soon to be a new Golf, was released from his pen). But we are currently interested in is Audi-time - the great designer was able to give a calm exterior of German cars, and even personality refinement. That there is only one shield grille, which is used now on all models of the company! The new A4 - offspring of de Silva. In it, he probably tried to demonstrate the maximum that can be embedded in the design, "premiumnogo" Class D vehicle, or, as in Europe, the segment of the upper medium. The word "upper" is not superfluous. A4 is traditionally grown in size and now is not inferior in size over the first generation of high-ranking model A6. But we are not talking about size, but the eye-catching appearance. If you recall all of creation de Silva, in between these cars are absolutely different brands and concepts, it is possible to find one common feature - an extremely expressive front and back and tie them calm enough "clean" sidewall. It is also evident in the Audi A4. Handwriting Wizard recognizable. The front part of the A4 is gorgeous! The center is still a huge grille, but on different sides of her depart impressive air intakes, interconnected by a fancy-cut in the lower bumper, and on top of that those "made-up eyes" headlights. Two LEDs in the form of garlands of sickle - Good deal. Outstanding at any time, they make cars Audi clearly recognizable face on. The combination of all these details gives "face" very formidable A4 and aggressive expression. How many times have I noticed the desire of drivers to withdraw from the occupied their number, from a distance when they saw in the mirror approaching the A4, as if they wanted to get a better look LED taillights, a pair of exhaust pipes and humble wonder label 1.8T. This desire was very handy on the road to Yaroslavl and back - it was such a route was decided to choose as a "testing ground". The road enabled to fully appreciate the quality of consumer new "four" first and foremost the comfort and capacity. We went on the tour four, three of which have a growth of 180 cm in eight hours in the salon Audi, none of us complained about any inconvenience. I, as a driver, it was important that the interior Audi traditionally ergonomically weighted. This German "ordnung" everywhere. Seats (among other things, with integrated ventilation) - moderately hard, excellent re-distribute the load - a long journey I had not even changed the regulation. Instruments are read beautifully, and all the minor controls are intuitive places. Add to that the system interface MMI - the most sane of all the systems of this kind. Passengers also liked the fact that they absolutely do not feel constrained - either in front or behind. And we certainly appreciated the excellent quality of manufacture interior - find fault with just makes no sense. To complain about my fellow travelers, especially the rear, so this is the lack of smoothness. Let me remind you that the test car was equipped with Audi Drive Select, which, in turn, controls the subsystem Audi Ride Control, which allows to change the damping. Passengers said that the difference between the three modes (Comfort - Auto - Dynamic), who runs special switch buttons on the center console, they do not feel - still was shaking. Perhaps the reason for it was still optional 18-inch five-spoke wheels. Someone correctly noted that "the wheels - half the car design." Maybe not half, but it is third-just, especially in this case - they are very interesting, but at the same time, the sleek design. But I'm the difference when switching Audi Drive Select felt clearly and distinctly, mainly in the transition mode Dynamic. The above system operates not only in shock, but also changes the gear ratio steering algorithm for continuously variable transmissions, and the response time to press the accelerator pedal. When set to Dynamic steering is much sharper and jet action on it - is larger. Car are more likely to be for the gas pedal, and the already excellent CVT is more like normal, but very smooth and fast "machine," creating the illusion of "jaggies" and "kick-downs." And the suspension in this mode becomes more collected, and not just shaking, as in Comfort. Here it becomes clear why they needed a huge 18-inch "rollers", it is clear that for which were partly sacrificed for smoothness and comfort. The nature of control Audi A4 was different after the change of the layout (the engine is now located and moved longitudinally within the wheelbase), but only for the better. These changes bring to an ideal weight distribution ratio of 50:50, to reduce the moment of inertia when moving in an arc and, consequently, reduce the "trademark" understeer FWD Audi. A4 perfectly cling to the asphalt. Subjectively failure occurs much later than the previous model. Not averse to Audi and "throw poop" on a gas discharge. Add peppers in Ingolstadt, to be sure! But I put these experiments, of course, not on the track Yaroslavl - Moscow, and on specially designated areas. And here, on the highway, the Audi - quite a normal car, although from time to time able to wear different masks - then with a family, then with a more sporty "look on his face." There is in this kind of synthetics (after all, change all the parameters of the system is on a purely electronic level) and the desire to universalize the connection in one of two alternative specific mechanism seems to be an entity. But surprisingly this is nothing. Firstly, Audi A4 and of itself - universal car every day. Second, it is quite understandable desire to give the car manufacturer, if possible, different qualities - this is a priori increases the target audience, which is big: A4 - the most popular model in the production range of Audi. And thirdly, it is felt that the new "four" well managed, not only because of these newfangled electronic systems. I am sure that those who prefer the car without the system Audi Drive Select, do not be disappointed. After all, in any case they will have a wonderful new 160-horsepower engine 1.8 TFSI, which is characterized by an enviable economy and a broad shelf of torque, and hence the excellent traction, one of today's best continuously variable transmission, roomy interior and a nice big trunk - excellent " suit "by Walter de Silva. Of course, even the initial version of the A4 has a great potential. And, no doubt, it is not wasted. Already you can learn how to implement the new platform in the famous brand four-wheel drive Audi Quattro, for which later we will try one of the all-wheel drive versions. Later there will be S-version. Well, at the very end and the most powerful "quartet" - RS4. And give up, that's when we realize how good the new chassis Audi A4