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Re: A4Q crosswind sensitivity

Greg Spark writes:
> The "problem" with the steering is that all FWD foibles have been technoed out
> with the virtual axis geometry. The car _is_ very light in the steering and feels
> lifeless on first aquaintance. However the steering is extremely accurate and
> responsive (especially considering the tyres are not particularly low profile)
> and in my experience requires minimal inputs to maintain the straight-ahead. It
> is also one of the best cars I've driven in crosswinds - minimal corrections
> required.
> 
> Steering kickback, tramlining and heaviness give the driver the feeling he is
> _controlling_ the car - the A4 has none of these characteristics and I think many
> confuse this perfection as a fault - this feeling disappears as time goes on and
> the steering then becomes one of the best features of the car - IMHO anyway.

I have the exact same feeling about this.  When I first got my A4q, I thought
the steering felt somewhat too light and lifeless.  This is because I was
used to the 4000 which has no power assist and lets you feel every bump
on the road.  There is a good dose of bump steer and kick back in that
car.  Living now with the A4q for a year has taught me that the lack of such
unrefined responses does *not* mean that there is a lack of *feel*.  On
the contrary, the A4's steering does communicate a lot of feel, just of
a different quality.  What the tires are doing still comes through loud
and clear, you just don't need to fight it to get it to do what you want.

In my 4000, with its stiff steering and stiff suspension (Eibach, Koni,
S-T bar and urquattro bar), going around curves is fun because you
really have to DRIVE the car.  On the other hand, in the A4q, it can
carve that same corner at the same speed and you just guide the
car around with absolutely no fuss.  The car makes it so easy...

-Ti
96 A4 2.8 quattro
84 5000S 2.1 turbo
80 4000 2.0
-- 
    ///  Ti Kan                Vorsprung durch Technik
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