In a class of their own - II

Two months ago, Motoring Matters looked at two compact `sports saloons', the BMW 330 and the Mercedes-Benz C 320. These two excellent cars were seen as potentially desirable imports when that is allowed to the general public from April, 2001. It is not yet clear what the import policy will be nor the level of customs duties on such imports although rumour has it the duties will be on par with the excise duties currently payable on Indian cars (40 per cent).

We look at one more German sports saloon this month, the Audi A4. The A4 has just been launched in all-new `avatar' to compete head on with its German rivals that we looked at in October. The handsome new Audi is unique in the Volkswagen group with the new PL46 platform which is a significant improvement on the old one. However, it persists with having a longitudinally mounted engine driving the front wheels while most of its competitors use transverse mounting for front wheel drive. Mercedes and BMW, on the other hand, use the 'classic' rear wheel drive. Audi continues to offer four wheel drive as an option in the glorious 'Quattro' tradition.

The new car is slightly longer, wider and taller than its predecessor making it roomier inside. The rear suspension, though, is where a quantum change has occurred - Audi have moved from the old torsion bar set up to one using trapezoidal multi- links. This independent rear suspension sits on a sub frame using hydraulic mounts and is primarily designed to combat under steer - a common bugbear with front wheel drive cars. It succeeds remarkably well in this regard while combining improved handling with a supple ride and nimble and precise steering.

The new Audi also marks a change in its engine design philosophy with turbo charged petrol versions giving way to larger naturally aspirated engines. The flagship 3 litre (up from 2.8) V6 develops well over 200 bhp. The new engine, like its 2 litre brother, has an aluminium alloy block, variable valve timing with five valves per cylinder and a balancer shaft. The new engines' noise, vibration and harshness levels are significantly better than those of the outgoing range. The more powerful, 250 bhp, S4 quattro model will be replaced with a 300 bhp version in about a year.

Alternative power comes from frugal, but torquey, 130 bhp, 1.9 litre or 180 bhp, 2.5 litre turbo diesel engines. Petrol and diesel versions are available with 5 or 6 speed manual or automatic gear boxes. Also available is the fine new Multitronic continuously variable transmission. The latter is extremely smooth and also makes the A4 as quick and as economical as the manual versions - a major achievement in itself.

The wheelbase of the new car is 33mm longer and this makes for significantly more room in the rear - important for chauffeur driven Indians! The interiors are superb in the VW group mould and the equipment levels extensive. An example is air- conditioning that adjusts according to the angle of the sun!! Features such as antilock braking (ABS) and switchable electronic stability and traction control (ESP) are standard at this level, but satellite navigation systems tend to be optional.

All in all, a significant improvement on the old A4 and strong competition for the new C Class from Mercedes and the 3 Series BMW.

Last word

Which would I choose? None of them! All are fine vehicles, but are they `appropriate' for us? Probably not.

My own choices would be:

All rounder : The rugged Subary Legacy with permanent four wheel drive

Small car : The Honda Logo, the Skoda Fabia, the brand new Suzuki Ignis or the Toyota Yaris

Green Car : The hybrid Toyota Prius or the ultra low emission Nissan Sentra, particularly the California version

Medium Car : The Volkswagen Passat, the Ford Mondeo or the new Honda Civic

Overall : The Skoda Fabia or the Honda Civic

Why did I choose these particular cars? For example, as the journalist Julian Rendell put it, ``The go almost anywhere Legacy is the perfect lifestyle vehicle for non-badge snobs. It just lacks image in an age where image counts for everything".

I believe that most Indians are different - unlike many Americans, or even worse, teen aged Japanese.

Correction

In the last Motoring Matters, on diesel consumption, an impression seems to have been given that Telco had introduced direct injection (DI) diesel engines only with the new Cummins range. Telco's medium and heavy vehicles have used direct injection for decades as have Ashok Leyland's.

C. Manmohan Reddy

The new Audi is slightly longer, wider and taller than its predecessor making it roomier inside. The rear suspension, though, is where a quantum change has occurred - Audi has moved from the old torsion bar set up to one using trapezoidal multi- links.

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