- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.7TT, 6 cyl.
- Engine Power
195kW, 400Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 8.4L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Audi’s subtle rocketship
For: Performance and pulling power, solid feel, huge grip, luxury.
Against: Lack of driver involvement, big pricetag.
How it rates: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
Those handful of buyers who love ballistic German sedans now have a new model to get excited about, but it is not from BMW or Mercedes-Benz. Audi has added to its ever-expanding range with a new twin-turbo, four-wheel-drive S4 rocketship as part of a performance push to prove the company is up with the best Europe can offer.
This is actually a four-pronged attack, because along with the A4-based S4 comes a four-wheel-drive, turbocharged version of the A3, called the S3, and also an upgraded, more powerful derivative of the S8. In six months this trio will be joined by a V8-powered version of the A6, called (you guessed it) the S6.
If all this means little more than letters and numbers, then take a closer look at the S4. It is roughly Audis rival for the BMW M3, a model that has been around for years now and is due to be replaced, probably by the end of this year.
Like the 3-series-based M3, the S4 takes a mid-level prestige sedan and goes down the full-performance road to make it quicker, more sumptuous and overall more exciting than ever.
It is more expensive too, given that, at just under $114,000, the S4 sedan is more than twice the price of the entry level A4. And if you want a wagon, the same mechanical package comes slotted underneath the S4 Avant for an extra $2800.
If it sounds rather a lot, consider the M3 starts at around $132,000 while the Mercedes V8-powered C Class, the C43, is at least a $150,000 proposition. So, what do you get for the money?
Starting with the look of the S4, youd have to say, not much. There are no wings, bonnet bulges or scoops to give away its potential, just a deeper front air dam, wider and taller 17-inch wheels and strange looking chrome mirrors.
But lift the bonnet and, under the sheets of plastic shrouds, there lurks a 2.7-litre version of Audis five-valves-per-cylinder V6, beefed up with twin KKK turbochargers. Power is not surprisingly well up on the standard V6s 142kW, but even so, the S4s 195kW doesnt necessarily match it on paper with either the M3 or C43.
The secret to what makes the S4 tick is available pulling power, not oodles of oomph high in its rev range. Torque peaks at a hefty 400Nm and, better still, it is all available from 1,850rpm through to 3,600rpm. They are the sorts of figures youd expect from a V8 of twice the size, and on the road the S4 doesnt disappoint.
This is quite simply a brilliant engine with none of the discernible lag usually expected of a turbocharged powerplant, when theres a pause between pressing the right foot and feeling a shove in the back. The S4 erupts instantly and, even in the top two of its six speeds and travelling very slowly, theres enough acceleration to negate the need to change down a gear.
It is also very smooth and willing to rev, even if theres not much need to go beyond the low 5,800rpm at which peak power is delivered, especially if trouble with the law is to be avoided. Engine noise is limited to a muted yet guttural growl, or just enough to be purposeful without being overly intrusive. You can imagine this is a car that cruises as serenely at 200km/h on its native autobahns as it does at 110 on local roads.
The S4 is, however, less of a joy to drive around town at slower speeds because the combination of total traction from its all-wheel-drive quattro system and a long-travel gearchange can make for somewhat jerky progress, and a hair-trigger brake pedal does nothing to improve the situation.
An automatic gearbox might make it a smoother drive without detracting from the fun, given the torque available, but no auto is available.
High cornering speeds are possible, thanks to the grip of the wide tyres and a quattro system that delivers torque to the wheels needing it most. If all else fails, theres an electronic stability program (ESP) Audis version of an automatic handling aid which wasnt fitted to the test car provided. Without ESP, however, it still takes a loose gravel surface to get the S4 moving laterally, such is the available grip.
What is lacking, however, is the kind of feedback the best sporting sedans or coupes can provide to give total driving enjoyment at any speed. Like many of Audis cars, with the possible exception of the TT Quattro, the driver is distanced from the action and cushioned from the intimacy of the machine. Call it blinkered by technology, but its the opposite of Vorsprung durch technik.
Even so, if a solid feel equates to an impression of safety in the drivers mind, then the S4 feels like it would last longer than a Leopard tank. At 1,510kg, it is definitely heavier than a standard A4 (partly contributing to fuel consumption of greater than 13 litres/100km) but you wont find a rattle or groan anywhere in the car, and thats despite quite stiff suspension that delivers a lumpy, if far from harsh ride quality.
Most buyers would expect plenty of luxury for their 114 grand, and the S4 delivers with an interior offering a nice blend of sportiness and indulgence.
The seats are leather clad, and the front Recaro buckets are firm but especially well-shaped to hold their occupants during cornering manoeuvres. There is also leather for the stubby gear lever and chunky, thick-rimmed steering wheel (adjustable for rake as well as reach), and a wide swathe of alloy panelling across the width of the dashboard and doors, which is a welcome change from the usual wood grain. About the only slight let-down are generic Audi/VW stalks and minor controls. But at least the Bose stereo is simple to operate and sounds absolutely wonderful.
Other standard equipment includes dual front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes, remote central locking, climate control air-conditioning, a six-stacker CD and even a sunroof, so theres little wanting. For those who regularly carry more than one passenger, the back doors are a bonus compared with similarly priced sports cars and coupes, although leg room is a little limited.
What youve got here is a very swift, seemingly bullet-proof sedan that wont attract too much attention on the road but could potentially blow the doors off many more flashy looking cars.
The S4 might not be quite as exciting or razor sharp in its responses as a BMW M3 but, then again, it is also a good deal cheaper and highly desirable into the bargain.
AUDI S4
Price:$113,800 manual.
Engine: 2.7-litre, DOHC, 30-valve V6. 195kW at 5,800rpm and 400Nm at 1,850rpm.
Transmission: Six-speed manual only. Four-wheel-drive.
Steering: Rack and pinion, 2.9 turns lock-to-lock. Turning circle 11.4m.
Brakes: Ventilated discs front and discs rear. ABS standard.
Suspension: Front - Independent by MacPherson struts with stabiliser bar. Rear - Independent by multi links, with coil springs and stabiliser bar.
Wheels/tyres: 7 x 17-inch steel wheels, tyres 225/45R17.
Dimensions: Length 4,483mm, width 1,733mm, height 1,396mm, wheelbase 2,607mm. Kerb weight 1,510kg (manual).
Economy: 12.9L/100km.
Fuel tank: 62 litres.
Rivals:
BMW M3, $133,750
Mercedes AMG C43, $156,100.