Audi S4 Avant review (2008 onwards)

What – Audi S4 Avant 3.0 TFSI
Where – Majorca, Spain
Price – £36,000 (est)
Available – April 2009
Key rivals – BMW 335i, Mercedes C350 Sport, VW Passat R36

Summary

Want fast and practical? Look no further than the new S4 Avant as Audi unleashes an unexpected wild side to the A4

We like - performance, understated looks, unexpectedly lively handling, ride, practicality
We don’t like - the must-have innovations are on the options list, button-heavy interior, waiting for the RS4

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First Impressions

In the market for an Audi A4? You've certainly got plenty of options. Front-wheel drive or quattro; a choice of manual, tiptronic auto or CVT gearboxes; S line, standard or adjustable suspension; saloon or estate. This new S4 is easy though - if you want to go fast this is the A4 for you.So what makes this different enough from other A4s to warrant the hoopla of a standalone launch event? The Audiphiles among you will probably have clocked the signature silver wing mirrors and quad exhausts and an exceptionally powerful engine is a given - in this case the new supercharged 3.0-litre V6 recently introduced on the A6.

The previous S4 had a V8 of course (and a lovely one at that) but the trend for smaller engines and forced induction continues unabated. And though the new engine is in fact down 11bhp to 328bhp it's actually got 22lb ft more torque and is faster, cleaner and more efficient than the V8.The other big news is the arrival of a new beefed up S tronic gearbox, the seven-speed unit now able to cope with up to 405lb ft of torque and 9,000rpm. The technology fest continues on the chassis too, with the option of adjustable suspension, variable ratio dynamic steering and a clever new rear 'sports differential'.

Performance

Audi has ditched its usual preference for turbocharging and opted for an Eaton supercharger instead, the better for packaging with the compressor and integrated intercooler neatly fitting in the space between the cylinder banks. Cue spurious links to the supercharged Auto Union racers of the 1930s - the last time Audi used this form of forced induction. And though superchargers traditionally work better at low revs than turbos this one doesn't deliver its peak of 324lb ft until 2900rpm. In a reversal of fortune the turbocharged BMW 335i's 295lb ft comes in at just 1300rpm. It's an important comparison too, the 335i being the S4's closest rival despite being down 26bhp.

The S4 Avant's 5.2-second 0-62mph sprint is half a second quicker than the 335i Touring's and from 50-75mph in fourth gear the Audi is a whole 1.1 seconds faster. Seriously quick but by the seat of your pants you'd swear the 335i feels livelier, thanks to the meatier torque curve and - on the saloon at least - significant weight advantage. There's no doubt the new supercharged V6 lacks a little in the charisma stakes compared with the old V8 too. But by any measure it's clearly superior. And effective. This is a very rapid car, the Avant in particular managing that balance of superb practicality, top-notch quality and discreetly ballistic performance Audi has mastered so well.

Ride and Handling

This is where the S4 gets interesting. The new V6 is about 15kg lighter than the V8 and sits 154mm further back than before but thanks to the need to accommodate the quattro drivetrain it's still ahead of the front wheels. And that's 189kg of metal in the wrong place if you want sharp steering response.Pitch the S4 into a turn with any vigour and the traditional Audi nose heaviness is present and correct, understeer hot on its heels. So far so predictable, even if it is a lot better than Audis of old. However, ever keen to throw technology at a problem Audi has engineered its way out the problem.

The new sports differential subtly steers the car by braking or accelerating the rear wheels. Turn in on a trailing throttle and the inside wheel is retarded with engine braking, pulling the front end into the bend. Effectively a very discreet handbrake turn, it brings the back end of the S4 into play as never before on an Audi.Do the same under power and the differential will speed up the outside wheel, again driving the front end into the turn and introducing something Audi drivers will have never experienced before: oversteer. Yes, the S4 does drifts. At least it will in the 'dynamic' on the Audi driver assist, reverting to default understeer mode in comfort mode.

Interior

Two Audi characteristics dominate the interior: high quality and the need to open your wallet just a bit wider if you want to make it feel truly special. All the test cars on the launch had lovely S4-branded one-piece sports seats boasting two-tone leather trim but, surprise surprise, these are a £900 option.Leather/alcantara is at least standard and the feelgood factor is high, even if there are rather too many buttons and the MMI system remains flawed. It's very refined at speed though - almost too refined given how easy it is to hit naughty speeds - and with 51mm more in the wheelbase than a 3 Series feels roomy too.

Economy and Safety

The sports differential and dynamic steering are intended to keep the car on track dynamically without the need for electronic intervention, proactive chassis control coming before reactive ESP. An honourable aim and successfully realised too, although an army of acronyms is ready to step in if things get really messy.And while a supercharged V6 is never going to be the last word in efficiency it's a whole 27% more efficient than the V8 it replaces. As such 28.5mpg (29.1 for the saloon and better still with S tronic) is pretty good, the dual-clutch gearbox also reducing CO2 from the manual's 229g/km to 224g/km (saloon 225g/km or 219g/km).

MSN Cars Verdict 4/5

The amount of high technology crammed into this car is simply staggering. But whereas in some Audis you feel it's there to mask inherent dynamic weaknesses in the S4 it genuinely does make the driving experience more fun. And that's not often a word you hear in connection with Audis.The playful chassis is a revelation, even if the 3-Series and C-Class are fundamentally better balanced and more attuned to keen drivers. It's just a shame the best of the technology remains on the options list, inflating the initially relatively reasonable sounding price. Make no mistake though, Audi's recent run of form shows no sign of abating.

More pictures of Audi S4 Avants from Live Search

Also consider

BMW 335i
Mercedes C350 Sport