Car Test
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R0250 | |
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See also
R0151
June 2002 |
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| Audi A4 Avant | ||
| Printer Friendly Page | Featured model: 2.4V6 Multitronic | |
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When it comes to the A4 (and A6), Audi doesn’t offer a hatchback; it’s a four-door saloon or an estate car for the prospective owner. But then that’s more or less the same choice as you get with a BMW 3-Series, a C-Class Mercedes Benz and a Volvo S60/V70. Is having a hatch too plebian?
To Audi, “estate car” is almost a dirty word, however- it much prefers “Avant” to describe its holdall. This formula has been highly successful in the market-place in the previous version’s five-year life, with sales outstripping all its premium priced rivals. The trick is to offer reasonable (though nothing special) load volume in a high-style package, with more adaptability than a saloon with fixed seats. Nothing is allowed to undermine the Avant’s looks and interior ambience. The latest model makes one new concession to grubbiness, however- the carpeted load deck can be folded (or removed entirely) to reveal a two-level plastic underfloor area; this enhances load depth by a further 16cm as well. The tailgate opens to two positions, to help the tall find headroom and the short to reach the grab-handle. The almost level sill and regular load width look inviting, until you realise that rivals’ minimum width (between the wheelarches) is at least as good. There’s a useful set of hinged side compartments, though, and the 60/40 split backrest also incorporates a ski-flap and cup-holders within the centre folding armrest. To accommodate longer loads, this backrest flips forwards to rest on the one-piece fixed cushion. This means that the extended load space isn’t quite flat and you need to use the lashing eyes to protect front occupants from sliding cargo. Up front, the Avant is indistinguishable from the saloon, with high-quality yet eminently practical fittings and furnishings. The Avant’s insulation from wind noise and body fretting can be taken for granted. Our test car’s new continuously variable transmission behaves differently (which can be off-putting), but there are sound engineering reasons for its way of doing things. The proof of the pudding is, in this case, acceleration times, which are significantly compromised if you revert to manual override. This CVT is also more frugal than a mechanically wasteful torque converter-type transmission. So with, the diesel V6, great things can be expected….. |
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