2016 Audi S4 first drive review
Audi labels this car the ninth-generation S4, which is a little bit cheeky as it has included both new and facelifted models introduced since its inception back in 1991 in that figure.
With increased dimensions, a brand new turbocharged engine and greater levels of standard equipment than ever before, it slots into the Audi line-up at the very top of the latest A4 line-up – at least until the new RS4 hits Australian showrooms in 2017, offering the choice of both sedan and wagon, or as Audi likes to say, Avant, bodystyles.
Pricing is yet to be revealed, although Audi Australia officials suggest the new S4 sedan tested here will not deviate too much from the $105,000 of the old model when local deliveries begin later in 2016.
You'll need to look carefully to spot the new Audi, though. The styling changes beyond the latest A4 are typically subtle and easy to miss at quick glance. Up front, there's a slightly more structured bumper, lightly reworked single frame grille with double slats in matt aluminium look and altered headlamps graphics – all of which gives if a slightly more focused appearance.
They're combined with aluminium look exterior mirror housings, chrome window trims, wider sills and a uniquely styled rear bumper with an aluminium look valance panel and integral diffuser element housing twin oval tail pipes.
Power for the 2016 model year S4 comes from newly unveiled turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine. Known under the internal codename EA838, it is the first in a new range of modular V6 and V8 engines developed in co-operation between Audi and Porsche under the working title KoVoMo (a play on the German words Konzern Vee Otto Motoren) and set to appear on various models in the not-to-distant future.
The 60-degree unit replaces the supercharged 3.0-litre V6 used in the old S4, bringing a 14kg reduction in weight at 172kg as well as Audi's patented valve lift system with a constantly adjustable camshaft and a highly touted combustion process with centre mounted spark plugs for what Ingolstadt engineers describes as vastly improved combustion efficiency among other improvements.
With 260kW, the EA838 kicks out 15kW more than the EA387 unit it supplants. More significant, though, is the lift in torque. It has risen by 60Nm, providing the new S4 with a neat 500Nm on a 600rpm wider band of revs than before between 1370 and 4500rpm.
Exhaust gas turbocharging isn't the only new driveline development, though. Audi has also replaced the outgoing S4's seven-speed dual clutch S-tronic gearbox with an eight-speed torque converter automatic in a move aimed at providing the new model with improved step off acceleration. The ZF produced unit comes with a Tiptronic shifting function and steering wheel mounted shift paddles as standard.
As it has been with each and every S4 for the last 25 years, drive is sent to all four wheels via a Torsen torque sensing four-wheel drive system. Under normal conditions, some 40 per cent of the engine's torque goes to the front wheels and the remaining 60 per cent to the rear. Depending on prevailing grip, up to 70 per cent of can now be sent to the front or up to 85 per cent to the rear. A sport differential, which constantly varies the amount of drive to each of the rear wheels, is also available as an option.
So what's it like?
With the introduction of this latest model the S4 is now more understated than ever before. If you weren't aware of the extent of the changes that have taken place beneath its spectacularly unexciting exterior, you could easily mistake it for a highly specified A4, which in essence is exactly what it is.
It's a similar story inside, too. But this is no real hardship – the quality of the cabin fittings and overall attention to the detailing is really quite superb. What's more, the driving position, aided by a generous amount of steering wheel and seat adjustment, is easily tailored, making the S4 a pleasing place to be for any meaningful amount of time.
The standard sport seats are fabulously supportive, the standard flat bottom steering wheel a delight to hold and, with a virtual cockpit function providing high definition instruments in one of three themes as well as the latest evolution of Audi MMI infotainment system placing a 8.3-inch screen in your light of sight and the very latest in internet connectivity, there's also a pleasingly contemporary air to the driving environment for those prepared to spend on the more worthwhile options.
From the off, the S4's turbocharged V6 offers plenty of low end flexibility and its delivery is satisfyingly smooth. With an additional 60Nm of torque arriving some 1530rpm earlier than with the old engine and a broader spread of ratios to exploit, there is to near-to-instantaneous urge. At almost any revs and in almost any gear, the S4 surges forward with proper authority.
The throttle response is both quick and reliable, allowing you to easily take advantage of empty spaces in the traffic around town and fleeting overtaking opportunities out on the road. Throughout the rev range, there is an earnest but hardly entertaining exhaust note, which undergoes various changes in timbre as you near the 6500rpm cut out but sadly never really fulfils its aural potential in the way some rivals manage.
For the most part, the torque converter touting automatic gearbox matches the high standards of the new engine, providing smooth and mostly rapid shifts that go some way to justifying the decision to axe the earlier dual clutch unit owing to its apparent inability to handle the added torque load provided by the new engine. With drive being doled out in a distinctly rearward bias, traction is rarely if ever an issue in everyday driving conditions.
When the conditions allows, the pace is predictably rapid. Audi claims 0-100km/h in 4.7sec, which is 0.3sec faster than that achieved by the old model. It is also 0.2sec inside the time Mercedes-AMG claims for the C43 4Matic and 0.4sec better than an automatic equipped BMW 340i.
It's the in-gear qualities of the new driveline that really impress, though. And with outstanding longitudinally stability, the new Audi continues its reputation as an outstanding long distance proposition. Reflecting its German roots, it feels right at home out in the fast lane of a German autobahn, where it can confidently be run to its limited 250km/h top speed.
Overall, the new Audi is also marginally more frugal than before; its new turbocharged engine delivers claimed combined cycle consumption of 7.3L/100km on the European test cycle, beating the old S4 sedan by a scant 0.1L/100km while providing it with average CO2 emissions of 166g/km.
Sadly, though, the S4 is no more involving than its lesser A4 siblings on more challenging roads. The electro-mechanical steering is quite direct and a Drive Select system allows you to tailor it to suit the conditions by offering quite a broad range between the Dynamic and Comfort settings. But despite the various tweaks brought to the suspension, including a 23mm reduction in right height and the fitment of optional 19 inch wheels shod with 245/35 on our test car, it lacks for meaningful interaction. It's not clinical in the way some earlier S4 models were. But neither is it truly communicative.
The S4's ride is also less than stellar. The reworked chassis does an admirable job of isolating road noise and manages to rein in excess roll quite well when you begin to push it had through corners. However, the reduction in ride height robs it of crucial wheel travel, particularly up front. This leads to sharp vertical movement of the chassis when the road is not absolutely smooth, even when the Drive Select system is switched to comfort.
There are many convincing facets to the new S4 that will undoubtedly tempt a lot of prospective buyers when sales begin in August. But while it manages impress with its speed, unflustered long distance cruising ability, understated style, superb cabin, all round accommodation, impressive refinement and outstanding quality, the overall driving experience lacks that vital interaction to make it a truly great car.
We very much admire the sheer depth of engineering that is part-and-parceled of its appeal. In terms of point-to-point speed it is very impressive. However, when pushed along in earnest on challenging roads the new Audi ultimately fails to fully engage the driver in a way a car with supposedly sporting pretensions should.
The BMW 340i and Mercedes-AMG C43 4Matic are both more engaging at similar money. That's not to suggest they would provide a better ownership prospect. However, it's safe to say they would be more fun in the long run.
2016 Audi S4 pricing and specifications
On sale: Late 2016
Price: $105,000 (estimated)
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo petrol
Power: 260kW at 5400-6400rpm
Torque: 500Nm at 1370-450rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Fuel use: 7.4L/100km