- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
4.2i, 8 cyl.
- Engine Power
253kW, 410Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (98) 12.4L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
S4 anything but Audi-nary
For: Understated styling, sedan practicality, nimble manners, good seating position, secure brakes, all-wheel-drive traction, V8 power.
Against: Bumpy ride can be annoying, expensive for a compact sedan, lacks visual spark.
Score: 4 stars (out of 5).
If there's one thing the German makers have perfected, it's maximising the appeal of one body style. The German trio -- Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW -- are the kings of making the most out of their respective models, by altering specification levels and offering a range of engine options.
So it's not uncommon to have an entry-level prestige car starting at nearly $50,000 while the flagship variant of that same body shape costs three times as much.
Audi's S4 is a prime example. To the uninitiated, its innocuous sedan shape blends with the many prestige cars speckled across the inner city. It's not until you notice the sizeable exhaust poking out each side of the rear bumper, the squat stance, fat 18-inch wheels and subtle lip spoiler on the boot that you realise there's something different about the S4.
That difference is a 4.2-litre V8 engine, which does well to fit under the bonnet of what is a relatively compact sedan shape. With a hefty 253kW of power, it's perhaps no surprise that the newer Audi pips its highly regarded BMW rival -- the 252kW six-cylinder M3 -- by a measly kilowatt.
But when it comes to torque, a healthy measure of a car's acceleration, the Audi is a winner, thanks to the engine's capacity. There's 410Nm available from just 3500rpm, which -- for anyone wanting the comparison -- is 45Nm more than the higher-revving M3.
Needless to say, the Audi's acceleration belies its understated styling, although the podgy 1705-kilogram body has a negative effect.
Even as a six-speed automatic, as tested here, it'll scorch to 100kmh from rest in 5.8 seconds. It achieves that while providing smooth gear changes and the ability to play Fangio by using buttons on the steering wheel -- which are easy to accidentally knock -- to select your own gear.
Opt for the manual and there are incremental performance gains to be had, although most Australian buyers will take the slight compromise and go for the self-shifter.
But the comparisons with the M3 begin and end there, because the Audi's sedan shape isn't as sports car-sleekas its Beemer competition.
The Audi is pitched more as a practical sports sedan with the heart of a sledgehammer, along similar lines to Mercedes-Benz's more expensive C32 AMG.
With a pricetag of $129,500 (or another $3000 for the auto) the S4 could be viewed as a bargain in the rarefied land of compact sports sedans or a hideously expensive A4, the car it's based on.
But there's more than just the beefed-up mechanical package when it comes to justifying the S4's ask. Safety comes from front and side airbags for those in the front, with curtain airbags down each side. There's also an electronic stability system, which can brake wheels individually to control a slide.
Body-hugging Recaro seats with a stylish leather/cloth trim combination are fitted throughout, while there's electric adjustment for those in There's also dual-zone climate-control air-conditioning, cruise control, reverse parking sensors, brighter xenon headlights and a detailed trip computer (satellite navigation and TV are options). The 10-speaker sound system is also worth a mention.
The interior is immaculate, with the carbon-fibre trim adding to the whole sports appeal.
Not so great is space for those in the back, which is limited by leg room and best left to kids. But it's easy to get comfortable in the front, with plenty of fore-aft seat adjustment.
Then there's Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system, which is paramount to the car's performance credentials and roadholding. Sending drive to all four wheels means traction is never really an issue.
So even when accelerating from a T-intersection there's a surety to its actions. The S4's steering is more direct than that in the regular A4, which combines with the sticky 18-inch low-profile tyres to ensure tenacious mid-corner grip.
The final piece of the dynamic puzzle -- the brakes -- also react with full force, aptly halting progress.
The suspension is not as effective, doing little to keep the occupants comfortable. Even freeways can be bumpy as the stiff springs react to every road irregularity, and once you head on to second-rate country roads, the bouncy ride can be a pain.
That's perhaps more of an issue with the target market, many of whom won't put the S4 through its paces, but instead delight in the near instant throttle response, V8 urge and all-paw traction. There's also generous standard equipment -- including the cossetting Recaro seats -- and the sort of up-market cabin we expect of Audi. But the S4 is still not the complete driver's package, meaning it is not about to unseat the status quo in the German sports car market.
Nuts 'n' bolts
Audi S4
How much: $129,500 (manual), $132,500 (auto) plus on-road costs.
Insurance: Premium $1917, $450 excess (RACV, 40-year-old rating one male driver, medium-risk suburb).
Warranty: Three years/unlimited kilometres.
Engine: 4.2-litre V8, variable valve timing, DOHC, 253kW at 7000rpm, 410Nm at 3500rpm.
Transmission: Six-speed manual or six-speed automatic, all-wheel-drive.
Steering: Rack and pinion, 2.5 turns lock to lock. Turning circle 11.5m.
Brakes: Ventilated discs front and discs rear, ABS.
Suspension: Independent by double wishbones with coil springs, stabiliser bar, front. Independent by multi-links with coil springs, stabiliser bar, rear.
Wheels/tyres: Alloy 18 x 8.0-inch, 235/40, full-size spare.
How big: Length 4575mm, width 1781mm, height 1415mm, wheelbase 2651mm.
How heavy: 1705kg.
How thirsty: 12.4 L/100km (combined cycle), premium unleaded. Fuel tank 66 litres.
Equipment: Six airbags, traction/stability control, dual-zone climate control air-conditioning, cruise control, remote central locking, power mirrors/windows, radio/CD stacker, rear parking sensors, leather seats. (Satellite navigation/TV optional).
Alternatives:
BMW M3 -- 4.5 stars
Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG -- 4 stars.
Prices and details correct at publication date.