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Audi Quattro vs. Volvo AWD
Question:
has anyone seen any articles, or have any personnel experience, regarding the differences between the AWD’s in these two cars. Not interested on off-road; just how they handle in rainy and snowy conditions. tks brian 95′ explorer
Response:
The most recent Car Driver compares the A4 Quattro to the V70 AWD. Car and Driver picked the A4 even though it is smaller. By the way, they tested a 7.4 0-60 time for the Quattro with manual trans. Dan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – has anyone seen any articles, or have any personnel experience, regarding the differences between the AWD’s in these two cars. Not interested on off-road; just how they handle in rainy and snowy conditions. tks brian 95′ explorer
Response:
I can’t speak to how Volvo and Audi awd systems compare in rain/snow conditions, but I did test drive a V70 and an A6 quattro wagon this past summer before settling on the Audi. The Volvo was faster for sure, altho the A4 Avant is a lot faster than the ‘97 A6. But there’s a distinct difference in how the awd systems in these cars operate. Under normal driving conditions, the Volvo splits power to the wheels 90/10, front/rear. I believe Subaru does the same. The Audi splits it 50/50. I noticed a difference driving sharp country road turns, on dry pavement, in both. The Volvo drove, as you might expect, like a front wheel drive vehicle. The Audi felt much grippier around the same kinds of turns. At one point the Audi salesman encouraged me to downshift into 2nd and really accelerate through a sharp turn, and I was frankly amazed at the handling…it’s a wagon, for chrissakes. The Volvo had a stiffer ride. The Audi had a slightly more remote feel on the wheel, although handling was equally precise. I ended up getting the A6 because (1) with discounts it was thousands less than a similarly equipped (i.e., loaded) V70, which my local Volvo dealer wasn’t discounting at all (this remains especially true for the A4 Avant – without any discounts factored in); (2) the Audi seemed to have better fit and finish (the V70 I tested, on the lot for about a week, had a nonfunctioning power passenger mirror and a couple other defects, which I didn’t think was a very good sign); (3) Audi has years of experience w/ AWD cars, and their system seems superior to me; (4) I liked the Audi ride better; (5) Audi has that great no-cost service program, which will save me at least another thousand over the next few years; and (6) the Audi’s exterior styling is imho superior. Granted, many of these things are subjective, but this is how I came out — notwithstanding the Volvo’s superior engine and off-the-mark performance. The A4 Avant closes that one big gap. But if you need more room than the A4 offers (e.g., a 3rd seat in the back, standard on the A6 wagon and a $900 option on the V70), you’ll probably have to wait until 1999 for the A6 Avant. I needed that room, which is why I got a ‘97 A6 instead of a ‘98 A4 Avant. Rick
Response:
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