"MOTOR" - Automotive Magazine # 12

audi rs4

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half a year ago company Audi AG released into sale specialist R specialist regarding - family automobile. They were gathered, let us say, to nature. Driver, four (better than three) passengers, collection for the picnic and the dear dog in the baggage hold. For owner Audi R it is necessary to care separately on the safety of dog - this "family automobile" collects hundred for 4,9 s.

For the first time specialist Audi R came into being on the Frankfort auto-salon of 1999. Company immediately declared, that the automobile will go into the production, and almost entire assumed (very limited) volume of output was here skuplen on the root. In Great Britain, for example, the orders for all of 400 chosen for this country machines were designed long before the beginning of production. And this with the price the hearth of 50.000 pounds.

Similar "focus" Audi AG once already made. In 1994 by a small series was released specialist Audi RS2 with 315- strong 2,2 l by the motor, supplied with two turbochargers. This automobile, created in the collaboration with company Porsche, twice visited in our guests ("the motor" of # 6, 1998 # 6, 1999), after producing sufficiently strong impression. Yes even almost entire other production Audi we "tried" - from smallest (thus far) model A3 and to the elongated predstavitel'skoy A8. Including modification S4. came turn Audi R...

Several words about the genealogical of automobile. Its direct predecessor - RS2 - at basis its had a body of specialist Audi 80/90, known in our people as "barrel". For the change "vos'midesyatke" arrived the model Aya Avant, on which (more precise - on S4) and is based R but if RS2 from initial automobile outwardly barely it were differed, this you will not say about R.

By appearance automobile "left" - creators rejected unnecessary modesty, out of which specialist S4 was so similar on Aya. First of all you note the extended wheel arches and large 18- one inch wheels with the small frequent knitting needles.

Bumpers are new. Front is supplied with low apron with the increased air-entry holes. Average will give air to the radiator of cooling systems, lateral - to interkulery. Originally appear the "branchiate" slots before the front wheels (through them it is removed heated air from interkulerov) - entirely as in powerful annular racing machines. In the external finishing began visibly to be present aluminum, from which, in particular, were made the rails on the roof...

However, in order to put an end to the description of external differences, it suffices to say that from the external panels of the body of initial automobile were used only the cowling and roof.

Ab8 under the cowling - elegant covered by carbon-fiber reinforced plastic V- descriptive six-cylinder 2,7 l engine with two turbochargers. With the motor is worth being dismantled popodrobneye. Is at first glance this - the same V6 from model A6 of 2.."T, which is used on version Audi S4. the same working volume, the same quantity of turbochargers. In fact...

Head of block actually re-developed the well-known English company Cosworth Technology, which in the past year entered into cartridge clip Audi AG. Flow areas are increased, the tappet shafts, which ensure more prolonged valve opening, are used, the combustion chamber configuration is changed. For facilitating the respiration of the engine, to which be required about 1000 cubic it is meter air in the hour, are used the more powerful turbochargers Cosworth KKK K04 (boost pressure to 2,2 atmosphere), and also interkulery with the increased cooling surface and exhaust system with the reduced resistance. Plus - new system of engine control. All this makes it possible to remove from the motor 380 hp. (6100-7000 r/min.) and 440 nm (2500-6000 r/min). The power of 142 hp from the liter of working volume and 235 hp to the ton of the weight of machine - there is how to be proud.

The "rough" assembling of automobile is produced at plant Audi AG in Ingol'shtadte, on the same conveyor, from which descend the models Aya and S4. engines come from Great Britain, from plant Cosworth Technology. Since R - thing "piece", for the final manual assembling and the finishing of machine send into Nekkarsul'm, to plant quattro GmbH, the daughterly company Audi AG, founded in 1983 for the protection of trade mark quattro. (Audi AG insists, that the name of daughterly company should be written precisely so, from the lower-case letter. By the way, quattro GmbH he is considered as the official producer R.) During the day let out a total of several automobiles...

Of times quattro, means - a constant complete drive. Transmission without any substantial changes moved from model S4. a certain alteration they underwent only the electronic systems for control of differential (EDL), stabilization of directional stability (ESP), distribution of braking efforts (EBD), etc. - in connection with the modernization of brake assemblies.

Mechanical six-stage box is also undertaken from S4, but gear ratios are somewhat changed. The suspension of all wheels the independent is multi-lever and, judging by how low- automobile stands above the road, korotkokhodnaya. Now floating type brake assemblies, but not rigid clamps, size of disks (360 mm from the front even 312 mm from behind) promises effective braking.

1000 becoming acquainted with Audi R, we involuntarily compared machine first with RS2, then with A - all these models can be added to the predecessors. Interior RS2 was richer and it is more luxurious - it suffices to mention sport type "rekarovskiye" seats with the inserts from al'kantry in the color of body, yes even a stricter form of torpedo tuned to the sport harmony. Torpedo R moved Aya, but appears less "popsovo". For giving its sport charm they embellished by stylish pieces - inserts from the carbon-fiber reinforced plastic and chrome-plated rims of instruments.

On the central console much place occupies the multifunctional liquid-crystal display, which can be adjusted at the necessary angle of sight - both for the driver and for the passenger. The information about the work of the systems of musical tracking and navigation is derived to it. Similar we met on Audi A8.

Seats this time also bear logotype Recaro, but they appear more with restraint in the plan of the "state of development" of sport uniforms and it is completely finished by one-color skin. It is convenient after the control. Seat moderately rigid and tightly retains sitting, and the range of adjustments increased in comparison with S4 it makes possible to obtain necessary and convenient position after the control for the drivers of any increase. It is not forgotten and the steering column - it is regulated in two measurements.

On the internal panels of doors also is present carbon-fiber reinforced plastic and the skin, and as a whole salon appears high-quality, solidly and stylish.

To be located on the rear seat beyond the high front riders is possible, but very not long. From other side, no one complains about the smallness of rear seats in Ferrari or Porsche...

Clutch pedal did not seem superfluously tight, its motion only is greater than on RS2, the moment of switching on of cohesion is felt well. Transfers are switched sufficiently clearly, lever is located conveniently, but motions seemed by longish. Accelerator pedal possesses grow prettier by sensitivity and by pleasant elastic effort.

Motion at the low speed, including in the plug, issues in no way essence Audi R automobile it behaves as usual urban machine with the manual box, engine easily and almost inaudibly idles. All, as in S4. but here in front was formed opening, and machine literally into it flew, after demonstrating the stunning starting temperament, and outstanding brake dynamics.

At the instruments it is better not to look, yes even no to this of the time: entire attention - to the changing with the giddy rapidity surrounding situation. In contrast to RS2, motor of which worked as in two separate regimes - leisurely and explosive, with noticeable failure between them, engine R, which inherited the nature of motor S4, collects revolutions rapidly, smoothly and it is confident, without the hint to turboyamu.

Acceleration on the straight simply rabid, up to 6000 revolutions, further operates limiter, moreover sufficiently "it is soft", not in the manner that in other machines, which in this case as if into the wall rest. Even with the sharpest acceleration in the salon it is comparatively quiet - soundproofing at the height.

Smoothness of motion leave much to be desired. It behaves excellently on the good flat asphalt R, but it here begins with poor, and its charms are transferred to the body by the perceptible impacts. Joints, chippings, patches and other trifle low-profile tires practically do not swallow. For the rigid suspension the correctly known rule: "it is more than gas - it is less than pits". Tires sing practically on any coating.

The high-speed passage of turnings automobile manages excellently, however, this did not become unexpected contingency. R - best according to controllability model Audi among all to us encountered. Machine with the cat tenacity is held for the road and demon.chtriruyet diligent obedience with the turnings of control and the pressing of the pedal of gas (it here itself appeared well the lateral support of front seats). With exceeding of the speed in turning R smoothly it passes into the slip by all wheels, as it seemed, with a certain tendency toward the the insufficient of povor of 1000 achivayemosti, in this case for the correction of trajectory it suffices to a little work by control and gas.

V extreme regimes begins to oshchushchat'sya certain "otstranennost'" of automobile from the driver - it is shown, in particular, the work of numerous electronic systems. But this is - inevitable pay for the safety after the control. Indeed majority of drivers - not professional rallisty, yes even R is after all considered as the family automobile.

It is similar, this road rocket with the baggage carrier of decent sizes they made specially for German avtobanov - starting dynamics, course stability at the high speed and brakes impress more than controllability or the reaction of chassis on the snake. If you racer in the soul, probably it is possible to find another machine, which more greatly corresponded "sincere" to the property indicated. But good whether it will on similar daily drive to the work?

Audi R - for the people of of more solid, by which in the final analysis it is more important rapidly and with the comfort to reach the necessary place, than to feel the nuances of the work of chassis. Practical, comfortable all-weather automobile. Completely harmonious. With this high-speed so, that adrenaline completely will be sufficient. And be thrown in it will be push, but is smooth...

Photo OF CONSTANTINE KOKOSHKINA.

Automobile was given by firm "auto-specialistcenter Audi on Taganka".

Bodies: (095) 755-8181.

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"MOTOR" - Automotive Magazine # 12

audi rs4

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