- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.7TT, 6 cyl.
- Engine Power
195kW, 400Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 13.5L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
The quiet deceiver
The good: Big performance for the money; 2.7-litre twin turbo is extremely powerful and flexible. No options required. Luxurious interior. Outstanding quality.
The bad: Tight rear seat, with no centre lap/sash belt. Slow, sloppy gearbox action. On-off clutch. Confusing speedo increments. Poor AM reception. Steering and brakes lack true sports feedback.
The verdict: Drive softly and carry a big stick.
The results: Four stars (out of 5).
In the low flying luxury business, BMW's M cars and the AMG-tweaked Mercedes-Benz models now have a credible new rival in Audi's S series.
The basic formula is well established, be it at this stellar level or down in HSV/Tickford territory: pick your model, drop a big dose of extra kilowatts under the bonnet, lower the suspension and retune it so the ride/handling compromise is biased heavily in favour of the latter.
Add a body kit, large diameter alloys and low profile premium rubber. Inside, replace the lounge chairs with vice-like sports seats - leather, of course - bolt a go-fast steering wheel to the boss, decorate in black with a little polished aluminium or carbon fibre relief, and load the standard equipment list to the hilt.
The final touch is a pricetag guaranteed to induce a sharp intake of breath; there's no such thing as cheap performance, especially when it wears a Deutsch marque.
Audi's three new S models are based on its A3 three-door hatch and A4/A8 sedans. All use Audi's quattro all-wheel drivetrain.
The S3, at $69,900, is a WRX for grown ups. It runs slightly modified TT quattro coupe mechanicals: a turbocharged 1.8-litre four pumped up to produce 154kW, matched with a six-speed manual gearbox. The base front-wheel drive A3 turbo, in comparison, peaks at 110 kW.
At the top of the range, the automatic S8's 4.2-litre V8 delivers 265kW, comparable with the E55 AMG Benz and 45kW up on the A8. The S8 costs a cool $228,000.
The S4, priced at $113,800, takes on BMW's M3 and the Benz C43 AMG. It uses a 2.7-litre, five valves per cylinder, twin turbocharged V6, good for 195kW as against 142kW from the naturally aspirated 2.8 V6 in the $84,100 A4 quattro.
An Avant (wagon) is also offered, at $116,600. Both variants are six-speed manual only.
Picking an argument with the M3 is usually cause for regret, but the S4 takes up the challenge from a tangent rather than head on. The two-door M3 is a raw, visceral sports car. Rev it hard and the 3.2-litre 236kW BMW straight six hisses and snarls as it launches you forward, its dynamics are pin sharp and ride comfort ranks about number 28 on the list of priorities.
The S4, in contrast, is an understated, luxurious sedan, which operates with a ruthlessness cleverly masked by a refined, civilised veneer. It is relatively quiet, apart from a deep, muted growl when stirred, while its performance is as much about top gear flexibility and responsiveness as the lunge off the line.
The S4 is a second or so slower, for example, than the M3 from 0-100km/h, but 6.7 seconds isn't exactly hanging about. What is more impressive is the 2.7's ability to pull hard and fire the S4 swiftly from very low revs, thanks to 400 Nm of torque on tap all the way from 1850-3600rpm.
Two small turbos spin up quickly, creating less lag and better midrange responsiveness than one large unit. Each feeds one of the S4's cylinder banks, through individual intercoolers. Variable valve timing further improves the engine's elasticity.
This gives the S4 sensational passing ability at highway speeds in the higher gears. There is still a touch of lag when you pop the question at 100km/h in sixth; flick the lever up to fifth and the turbos deliver a jet-like rush to the 6800rpm redline.
The breadth of its performance also makes the S4 manageable in town and a great device on a tight road, where you can just leave it in third and let the torque do the work.
Just as well, because a heavy, sharp clutch and distinctly unsports-likes low action, long throw gearbox tend to discourage rapid gear changing.
The A4 quattros are among the best handling cars in any class; the S4, designed to handle better the faster it's driven, is no exception.
Standard tyres are 225/45 Z-rated Michelins on 17 inch alloy wheels. Grip - wet or dry - balance and stability under power are outstanding, neither end can be provoked into mid-corner untidiness, and agility improves with speed. The S4 has a slightly weighty, ponderous character around town - less a criticism than an acknowledgement that it is designed for more inspiring use.
A lose will be your fault, not the car's. Most manoeuvres short of complete insanity can be rescued by the electronic stability program, which detects and corrects a potential skid using motion sensors, the ABS brakes and/or cutting engine torque to individual wheels.
The S4's steering is precise, but less direct and communicative than a pure sportster, while the ABS brakes, with electronic force distribution, are extremely powerful but could also use more accurate feedback through the pedal.
Ride quality, city or country, is lumpy but surprisingly compliant given the low profile tyres. Rough surfaces are blunted well and no shock reaches the cabin.
Standard equipment includes automatic air-conditioning, two front airbags, a Bose audio system with six-stack CD in the boot, xenon gas discharge low beam headlights, cruise control, power everything, trip computer, immobiliser and remote central locking. Quality, as always from Audi, is unbeatable, and the body is fully galvanised.
Silken-touch leather-clad Recaro seats are fitted front and rear. The driver's chair has power height, backrest angle and lumbar adjustment, and is substantially bolstered from knee to shoulder.
A properly contoured height/reach adjustable wheel makes it easy to find the correct driving position, while the stylish, efficient dash puts all controls within easy reach. The speedo has crowded, indistinct increments below100 km/h - a potentially expensive annoyance given the S4's performance ability, and the tuner's AM reception is poor.
Head and legroom is tight in the back seat, which has a lap only belt in the centre position. Boot space though is reasonably generous, and a 60/40 split fold rear seat back is provided.
The S4 does not offer the full sound and fury driving experience of BMW's M3. Live with the Audi for a while and its considerable venom permeates the quiet deceiver persona. Its performance is different, equally addictive, and great value at the price.
VITAL SIGNS
Audi S4
Engine: 2.7-litre twin turbocharged fuel injected V6.
Power: 195kW at 5800rpm (above average).
Performance: 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds (quick).
Brakes: Discs with ABS (good).
Economy: 9-11 litres/100km highway; 15-18 litres/100km city (PULP; average).
Prices: Recommended retail - $113,800; $116,600 (Avant). Street price - Not many around, so no deals.
Main options: Power sunroof - $2,950. Metallic paint - $1,250.
Warranty: Three years/unlimited km/roadside assistance (average).
Residual value: Below average after three years.
Safety rating (Euro NCAP): Good.
Alternatives: BMW M3 - $138,250. Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG - $156,100.