Test drive in 2000 A6

[Ti Kan]

Sean Ford writes:
> I'd be amazed if the A4 was not using a Servotronic relay to manage the amount
> of power steering boost. You'd better hope Audi sticks with it, too, because
> I'd hate to see them go the way of the BMW 5-series with it's ridiculous
> variable ratio nonsense!
> 
> --- Dan DiBiase <d_dibiase at yahoo.com> wrote:
> > Hmmm, the brochure for my '04 A4 says nothing about Servotronic, just
> > power-assisted r&p steering... Guess the A4 doesn't have it...? I know the
> > steering is wonderful, one of my favorite features of the car....

The A4 has "variable power assisted steering" but unlike the A6,
it doesn't seem to be based on the Servotronic.  BTW, not all Servotronic
is bad.  It depends on the degree of assist that's programmed in.

As for the new BMW 5's electronically variable steering ratio, I have
not driven it and cannot comment on how it actually feels, but the basic
theory seems like a good idea.  A quick ratio is good for low speeds
and maneuvrability, but at high speeds that tends to make the car feel
nervous.  By having a programmed ratio that varied with speed (and
perhaps other parameters) you can get the best of both worlds.

Note that variable *ratio* is not the same thing as variable *assist*.

-Ti
2003 A4 1.8T multitronic
2001 S4 biturbo 6-sp
1984 5000S turbo
1980 4000 2.0 5-sp
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