Friday, December 23, 2011

Audi A2 - Junior in the family

Now, on the order of a new marvel: the smallest car in the Audi program «Audi» built on the same technology as the representative "A8". Let's go far away. Ten years ago my friend and I tried to throw a rusted body Audi «Moskvich", which was filmed with absolutely everything in the trash. Right, but remember, just not overstrained. The first meeting with the author of «Audi-A2" took place not in the winter of 2000, and in the fall of 1999 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. At the same time more interesting for me is not even represented by the machine itself Audi, a detached body structure Audi - Audi Space Frame (spatial frame of «Audi»). How much weight is it? The temptation was too great to know. Grabbing both hands on the crossbar at the bottom of the back door, and I (by the way, is not Hercules) ... suddenly raised to the level of the chest cage. Wow! It turns out that aluminum is actually two and a half times lighter than steel ... According to the calculations of engineers firm itself Audi body without decoration and interior design is 40% lighter than steel. But if we take the Audi as a whole, the spatial frame of aluminum profiles and variable section aluminum outer parts allowed to save about 150 kg. However, at curb weight of gasoline «Audi-A2" 895 kg is unlikely to be called "ultralight". Just send the saved weight to improve comfort and safety equipment Audi. At first glance, «Audi-A2" is much less than that indicated specifications. However, a stay in the driver's seat, just understand that this is just another illusion. Compact Audi car in the finest German tradition offers a great driver and front passenger, even a very impressive growth. The range of adjustment in length and height can easily sit and those who usually barely visible because of a donut. The more so that the rudder can be moved not only up and down, but also to or from itself. On the back of «Audi-A2", of course, Limousine comfort, but the place still significantly higher than in any other "full size" compact car. Smooth and relatively high floor determines the high landing ... and not only. We have already managed to forget that sit in the Audi can not crouch or squat. Advantage, which occurs only rarely in our country mini-venah. With all the visibility is surprisingly good, and powerful front pillars obstruct much smaller sector than you might expect. Being unaccustomed to the motion does not feel the size of car Audi front (huge mistake enters the front of the shelf), but you get used to. Much more serious problems arise after a trip on a dirt road. Glass back door, blocked by the horizontal spoiler, full splash at the bottom, and maneuver in the parking lot is extremely difficult. But the upper part in strict accordance with the laws of aerodynamics is clean - this gap is almost enough when driving in traffic. «Audi-A2" does not weigh so little, and 75-horsepower engine was hard to expect miracles. But subjectively, the Audi is very playful. The reasons are obvious - "short" transmission and high-torque engines Audi, assertive voice that after 3000 r / min dominates in the inner noise. The steering is again in the German tradition - is very accurate, but a bit "blunt" in the middle. Brakes at the time of eternal slush, ice and salt, called the Moscow winter, is difficult to measure - the usual rate of problems do not cause. In the passive - a small force on the pedal, the asset - clearly working airbag. As for the suspension, the German settings usually are not optimal for Russian roads. In the case of «Audi-A2 'cause exacerbate low-profile tires in size 185/50 R16 (optional Audi, the standard 175/60 ??R15), the height of sidewalls which are very small. Yet the Audi handles acceptably small irregularities and defects in coatings, not annoying shaking. However, this does not mean that the possibilities are infinite suspension Audi: the pits and short waves to be feared seriously. Service intervals of 30 km (but not less frequently than once every two years) is no longer surprised - this is standard for gasoline, "A2". And the diesel «Audi-A2" term maintenance at all times in a 50 thousand miles! Therefore, the traditional hood is declined. Pull the traditional grip, you will not hood, but the service hatch - after a fill up washer fluid tank, check oil level in engine Audi and refilled. The fact that replacing the hood is fastened with spring locks with no loops, so that opening the lid easy. But in Europe, the owner of «Audi-A2" to do so will likely not have to. In the trunk instead of four-wheel chute - "dokatku" spray with sealant and a compressor. Puncture now seen as an emergency. What kind of car Audi? If anything - the second representative of the class "luxury compact," after "Mercedes" A Class. At some greater length «Audi» roomier cabin for easier, more dynamic (with an equal volume of engine Audi), economic (with any engine) and, frankly, more interesting for the active driver. Stylish looks younger in the family of «Audi» suggests that its customers may be those who already have a garage, a "big" Audi car of this brand. Apparently, this is the price to $ 23 thousand Moreover, a number of "class attributes" is already included in the standard version: ABS, stability in the Audi and the Audi traction system, four airbags, electric front windows are cost car Audi. The surcharge can be ordered everything else - from the leather trim with aluminum inserts and luxurious Audi at Audi osistemy to side airbags for the head.

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