The new AUDI A4 was first presented to the general public in October 2000 in Berlin. By applying cutting-edge technology and creating «movement architecture», the manufacturer from Ingolstadt, has set the direction for the upper mid-range car segment. Six years after the production of approximately one million copies, a completely redesigned successor to the A4 rolled off the assembly line. In the mid-range car segment, all the cards were shuffled. The test of the General German Automobile Club showed that the new AUDI A4 2.0 slightly outperforms its competitors Ford Mondeo 2.0, Mercedes C 200 and VW Passat 1.8 5VTurbo. In comparative tests carried out on the BMW 318i and the VW Passat 2.0 by the German motoring magazine «Auto Motor und Sport», the new A4 with a 130 hp four-cylinder engine. also showed its superiority.
Sedan on a brand new base
As a representative of a new generation of cars that appeared in 2000 and 2001, the Audi A4 was designed on a new basis. If earlier A4 and VW Passat had the same platform, now the new generation A4 is being built on a completely new base. The new A4 is the quintessence of Audi's advertising slogan, which reads: «Advantage through technology». Thanks to the body, which has been enlarged in all dimensions, a tangible increase in free space has been achieved.
For the first time in a car of this class, a stepless automatic transmission Multitronic was installed - a drive option that has no analogues in the world. Audi has created a gearbox that eliminates the disadvantages of previous transmissions of a similar design, and at the same time has all the advantages of a system that provides an optimal gear shift strategy. For the first time, the Multitronic transmission has made it possible to achieve driving comfort without sacrificing dynamics and economy.
Lightweight aluminum chassis thanks to low unsprung masses for exemplary driving dynamics
The aluminum undercarriage, which is constructed from lightweight elements, also shows new perspectives. Thanks to its low unsprung masses, it offers exemplary driving dynamics. Excellent suspension is complemented by high precision steering and manipulation. All production models are equipped with the ESP electronic stability control system. Thus, next to you, as it were, there is an experienced and vigilant driver who helps you when braking. The comfortable standard equipment also includes an automatic air conditioning system, which operates depending on the intensity of sunlight.
The A4 has a top speed of 245 km/h with a 3.0L engine and is powered by a six-cylinder V-engine with an aluminum cylinder block. This engine is also used in the new A6
The A4 body is distinguished by a small coefficient of aerodynamic drag (0,28) and unusual torsional rigidity for this class. The grille emphasizes that this car belongs to Audi's modern design line
Safety is one of the most important goals of the new development
One of the most important goals in the development of the new A4 model was safety. The main equipment includes Sideguard, a head airbag system developed by Audi. This system covers almost the entire side surface of the windows from the A-pillar to the rear seat. In order for the control unit to be able to determine even more reliably when the airbags should deploy, impact sensors are installed at the front of the vehicle. Passenger safety has been increased by further increasing the strength of the body in case of collision with an obstacle, as well as less deformation of the cabin.
During the NCAP Immovable Obstacle Test (association for conducting such tests, it includes car manufacturers), in which a special installation of the General German Automobile Club was used, the A4 proved to be a very safe car. In a frontal collision with a deformable barrier at a speed of 64 km / h and an overlap of 40%, the A4 received 12 points out of 16, and in a side impact at a speed of 50 km / h - 16 points (maximum number). Successful results in the 29 km/h pole impact test, which are taken into account in the vehicle safety assessment, brought 2 more points. Easily achieving a four-star result, the A4 is one of the first contenders for the fifth star.
Thanks to the body, which has been enlarged in all dimensions, compared with the previous model, a noticeable increase in free space has been achieved. Inner body length: plus 32 mm. Free space in front of the knees of the rear passengers: plus 43 mm. Headroom for front passengers: plus 15 mm, headroom for rear passengers: plus 14 mm. Interior width of the car body at the level of the shoulders of the front passengers: plus 11 mm, at the level of the elbows of the front passengers: plus 17 mm, at the level of the elbows of the rear passengers: plus 29 mm
Already the dimensions of the new A4 Avant prove that it belongs to a new generation. Overall length is now 454 cm, the base has increased by 33 mm compared to the previous model
Quattro is still a respectable car
If it is possible to say about any enterprise that it produces respectable serial passenger cars with all-wheel drive, then this certainly applies to Audi. A4 models with petrol engine (3.0 and 1, in T) There are also all-wheel drive versions. Their prototype can be considered an all-terrain vehicle «litis», which was developed by Audi for the parent company Volkswagen and was supplied by order of the Bundeswehr.
During winter testing in the north of Sweden, this particular car with a weak engine outperformed the much more powerful and faster front-wheel drive Audi models. So the idea arose to create an all-wheel drive production car with a powerful engine. While the all-terrain vehicle was equipped with plug-in all-wheel drive, Audi's all-wheel drive works continuously.
Trunk volume Avant (442 l) exceeds the trunk volume of its predecessor (390 l)
Avant: beautiful station wagons
The new A4 Avant was announced in 2001 when the model update was completed. Since 1996, its predecessor has been sold in Western Europe alone in the amount of 300 thousand copies, it has become synonymous with a compact noble car with a station wagon. «Beautiful station wagons are called Avant» - this is the advertising slogan of the manufacturers from Ingolstadt, who brought Avant's share in the total production of A4 to 44 percent. Like the sedan, the station wagon also «grew up». Passengers feel more comfortable in it, in particular, the space in front of the knees of the rear passengers has increased by 43 mm, and the internal width of the body at elbow level has increased by 29 mm. Trunk volume has increased by 52 liters, in addition, there is an additional 65 liters of luggage space.
Along with the increased space and improved functionality, technical advances such as the continuously variable Muititronic automatic transmission and the aluminum running gear are impressive. Station wagons are available with both front-wheel drive and full-time all-wheel drive. With the production of the new Avant, production of the RS4 variant of the previous model was discontinued. Sports car RS4 with a 380 hp 6-cylinder engine. With. The Biturbo was the first independent model conceived and developed by quattro GmbH in cooperation with Audi AG.
«Emotional pinnacle» series
The convertible, created on the basis of the Audi 80, was produced for more than nine years, about 72 thousand copies left the factory gates. This car has acquired the status of a classic model. At the international automobile exhibition, which took place in 2001 in Frankfurt, the first representative of the new generation of A4 convertibles was presented as «the emotional pinnacle of the A4 series». It was announced that the production version of the four-seater with an automatic soft top will appear in the spring of 2002.
As far as safety is concerned, the ToAudi-Cabrio, which should compete with the Mercedes CLK and, above all, the BMW 3 Series Convertible, has been created in accordance with modern requirements. Additional safety is provided by the active passenger protection system in the event of a rollover. In the event of a rollover, two safety clips behind the rear seats are triggered by sensors within a few milliseconds. Combined with an extremely strong windshield frame in the event of a rollover, these braces provide the space needed for front and rear passengers to survive.
Offering passengers comfortable seats, the Audi-Cabrio competes with open four-seat cars
The interior of the new convertible A4
Audi Cabrio Dimensions
Wide range of engines: from 1.6 to 3.0 liters
From the very beginning, the new Audi A4, with two completely redesigned engines in an aluminum crankcase, caused a sensation. The limit values of the European exhaust gas standard EU4 have been met with a margin. With the launch of the series in October 2000, the V-shaped 6-cylinder engine with a displacement of 3.0 liters was introduced to the general public, which became one of the best in its class. If you do not take into account the basic concept, i.e. the cylinder banks are arranged at an angle of 90' relative to each other and the cylinder bore is identical, it can be argued that the new engine uses not so many of the same components that were already used in the previous 2.8 liter engine.
The second newcomer to the range of petrol engines is the 2.0-litre inline 4-cylinder engine, which uses a number of technical innovations, such as the continuous change of the position of the intake camshaft relative to the exhaust shaft, which ensures better filling of the engine's cylinders. At the time of the release of the new A4, the 1.8-liter turbocharged engine was also considered a very successful unit, this engine gives high torque.
In the summer of 2001, the offer was supplemented by a sedan with a 1.6-liter engine (102 HP). For the station wagon variant, which was still equipped with a 2.4 or 2.8 l engine until the introduction of the new Avant in June 2001, there is now a 2.0 l inline engine, a 1.8 T engine and a 3.0 V-six l.
Development of the Audi A4 model
1972
With the release of the Audi 80, the automotive firm Audi introduced a mid-range model for the first time. Lightweight designs and compact dimensions, comfort and ample space for passengers, engines and chassis have become the new standard in the market.
1994
On November 8, the A4 was released as a successor to the Audi 80. External dimensions have not increased.
However, thanks to the skilful use of space and a moderate increase in track and wheelbase, it was possible to significantly improve the use of interior space.
2000
In October, the premiere of the new A4 took place. Two completely new gasoline engines are used as power units (2.0 and 3.0 l), as well as the proven 1.8L turbocharged engine.
The new star among mid-range cars is perceived as the quintessence of the Audi advertising slogan: «Advantage through technology».
2001
The A4 Sedan with 1.6L engine fills a gap that has emerged among the various engine options. Thanks to this engine, the prerequisites are created, which, in combination with a body that has been enlarged in all dimensions, has made it possible to significantly increase the interior space.
The new A4 Avant is also presented («Beautiful station wagons are called Avant»). This model offers more space and functionality.
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