A4/S4/RS4 CAR MAGAZINE - Audi S4 Saloon

[Merc1]

CAR's rating:

The new Audi S4 is either Ingolstadt’s idea of a bad joke or a stroke of genius. If you follow the former line of thought, then you’re from the camp that thinks the economy has jumped off a cliff, gone into freefall and the last thing the world needs is a grunty super-saloon.

But if you side with the latter then Audi’s timing with the S4 couldn’t be more apt – the company has replaced its old 4.2-litre V8 with a new, smaller, supercharged V6. This car is potentially very in tune with these downsizing times.

And while the headline power figures might be down, they still surpass the equivalent Mercedes or BMW. The torque figure also bests both (and the old S4), while mpg figures are 26 percent better that before. The new S4 will even cost a few grand less than its predecessor. Time to find out if the drive is as good as the stats...

Start me off with the Audi S4’s new engine – any good?

The big V8 lump from the old car has been dumped, and in comes the direct-injection 2995cc supercharged V6 from the recently revised A6. Only here the 3.0-litre gets a tweak to lift power from 286 to 329bhp, while torque is up from 310 to 325lb ft.

Compared to the old S4’s 344bhp, you might be disappointed that the power figure is down, but then the new car has more torque (versus the old car's 302lb ft) spread across 2900-5300rpm, rather than peaking at 3500rpm. And the new S4 weighs 10kg less, too.

However, this engine doesn’t scream and shout about its power – even Audi’s own PR team admit the S4 is a bit of a whisperer. Personally we’d prefer a more exciting base tune, some more supercharged whine and something to tell us about the top-end fury. Because unlike other blown engines, this S4’s 3.0-litre keeps on going right up the rev range.

That muted sound actually serves to make the S4 seem even more quicker than it already is. Tickle the throttle and you’re away – speed is effortless, responses are immediate. The benchmark 0-62mph sprint is dismissed in 5.1 seconds, half a second quicker than the old car, while 50-75mph in fourth gear takes a mere 4.4 seconds.


Full Story: New Audi S4 saloon (2008) CAR review | Road Testing Reviews | Car Magazine Online


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[Tarek]

Wow the 0-62 time is a fast as E93 with DCT

 

[Potential]

Wow the 0-62 time is a fast as E93 with DCT

I would expect the M3 weights more thanks to that big heavy metal roof slapped on the back... Not to mention there is more to driving then how quickly you can get a speeding ticket.

 

[Audi69]

Great car. This is going to sell well and is better than the 355i IMO. Can't wait for the RS4 to kick M3s ass too.

 

[Zafiro]

Great car. This is going to sell well and is better than the 355i IMO. Can't wait for the RS4 to kick M3s ass too.

Ferrari stopped building their 355 many years ago

 

[Tarek]

I would expect the M3 weights more thanks to that big heavy metal roof slapped on the back... Not to mention there is more to driving then how quickly you can get a speeding ticket.

Yep true plus quattro really gives great starts for this gorgeous S4

 

[martinbo]

Ferrari stopped building their 355 many years ago

LOL - Swedes do have a sense of humour! It's as dry as a scorched salt pan after 7 years of drought but hey, it's a sense of humour nevertheless.

 

[martinbo]

Great car. This is going to sell well and is better than the 355i IMO. Can't wait for the RS4 to kick M3s ass too.

Wellll... We've yet to be given the full story on the character and emotional appeal of this new supercharged V6. But, technically speaking, I find the idea of a twin-turbo'd straight six to be far superior to a supercharged V6.

One thing about that N54 engine - it isn't short on character. Despite the scant commentary on the S4's V6, I nevertheless am starting to get the impression that it's going to be more underwhelming when compared with the outgoing V8 engine - which was mighty sounding.

The S4 has a lot of virtue but I suspect that a nicely specced 335i Sport will be better value for money. It all depends, of course, on where Audi position the S4 from a pricing perspective.

 

[Tumbo]

Great car. This is going to sell well and is better than the 335i IMO. Can't wait for the RS4 to kick M3s ass too.

Amen brother.

 

[Tumbo]

LOL - Swedes do have a sense of humour! It's as dry as a scorched salt pan after 7 years of drought but hey, it's a sense of humour nevertheless.

True that!! Hahaha...post of the month!!

 

[PC Valkyrie]

Whether this car sells well or not will totally depend where Audi prices it. The previous S4 was close in price to the previous E46 M3 and C55 AMG. This new S4 has performance which is closer to the 335i so it ideally should not be priced that much more than the 335i. If they make the mistake of pricing it close to the current E90/E92 M3 or C63 AMG, it will hard to convince people spend that much money for performance which is not that much better than the previous S4, unless they want AWD (which the 335xi nicely provides too).

Pricing aside, the S4 does look very understated. I agree with the comment that it looks like a A4 with S-line components.

 

[Mr Robert]

Evidently, not even a proper S-treatment could make the new A4 look good. Give me the S5 anyday.

 

[kovachian]

This makes no sense to me, and I don't think it ever will. Why put a blown V6 in a sedan and a V8 in it's coupe counterpart? Other than that, they're brilliant cars.

 

[warot]

FYI, Car magazine tests:

Audi S4:
Overall: 4
Handling:4
Performance:4
Usability:5
Feelgood factor:5
Readers' rating:4

vs

FL 335i
Overall: 4
Handling: 5
Performance: 5
Usability: 4
Feelgood factor: 4
Readers' rating: 3

I have no idea what a feelgood factor is, but based on these comparisons, they are pretty evenly matched even though in terms of sportyness, the BMW wins.

Like everyone else is saying, the key is going to be the pricing. The BMW has one peach of an engine though. I know it's been said many times, but every time I get in one of those, I'm always amazed... makes my E46 feel really old