Audi S4 2006 Review

Svelte, handsomely attractive in an understated way, the quickest A4 – until we see an RS4 here – on Australian Audi showroom floors doesn't scream "look at me" like some prestige hot-rod models. Until it moves.

It's not a tyre-smoking, luridly anti-social traversing of the intersection, but it's a fair bet if you've mashed the accelerator to the floor, you're across the intersection and gone before anyone's realised.

With the six-speed auto in Sport mode, all that's required of the driver is the foot work, and to hang on, for a rapid trip to the horizon.

Audi claims the S4 will reach the state limit in 5.8 seconds, with its top speed limited to 250km/h – that won't take long to reach either, as 20.8 seconds after you're under way, Audi says, 200km/h will be showing on the speedo.

The sensation of speed is not like an Aussie V8 – the 4.2-litre DOHC 40-valve engine belts 253kW of power and 410Nm of torque through all four wheels, but the torque peak is at 3500rpm and the power hits its straps at 7000rpm.

Mellifluous – having a smooth rich flow, or flowing like honey, sweetly or smoothly – is the only word to describe it.

But almost regardless of the surface, the S4 grips and goes.

The rear seat, while comfortable and well cut for lateral support, is nigh on useless unless all the occupants are quite short.

At 190cm, I had the driver's seat towards the end of its rearward travel and was well positioned in relation to the wheel and pedals, but there was nobody trying to sit behind me.

The ride comfort is borderline and although it is more compliant than its predecessors, the thump over smaller bumps will bother some.

The cabin has a subdued style, which reeks of quality, although the light-coloured leather in which the Recaro sports seats were trimmed appear likely to mark quickly.

A grippy leather-clad wheel also has a quality feel to it, with the shift paddles within easy reach of all but the shortest of fingers.

The steering still feels a little remote, which takes away from some of the pleasures of back roads in this car but the throaty note of a potent V8, a great sound system and a decent automatic gearbox compensate.

The sports mode was aggressive and good enough to not warrant using the shift paddles.

Mind you, it will still change up when it sees fit, even in full manual mode, so there's still a way to go before a tip-shift auto puts torque converter ahead of clutch and gear stick on my preference list.

The brakes impressed, wiping off speed quickly without fuss, with 345mm front and 300mm rear discs providing ample stopping power. The S4's xenon headlights with adaptive function worked well, offering excellent night cornering visibility and a clear beam, although with such pace available under the right foot there is probably never enough illumination.

The S4 was fitted with satellite navigation and TV within the Audi multimedia entertainment system.

The satnav's instruction via voice commands and the screen between the speedo and tachometer makes driving in unfamiliar territory simple, as is loading the glove-box-mounted six CD changer.

One annoyance in the cabin that has been present in several of its models is the clash between handbrake and centre armrest/storage compartment. The hinged armrest works well in its comfort and storage functions, but it compromises the action of the handbrake. In some ways, a more conventional storage console behind the handbrake would better serve.

The features list also includes light and rain-sensing functions for the lights and wipers, 18in alloy wheels and DataDot microdot identification.

The new Audi S4 is priced at $131,200 and Audi expects to sell about 100 annually in Australia. For the same sort of money as a number of prestige open-topped two-seaters, the S4 offers the ability to carry the kids, as well as allowing the driver the option of leaving everyone else at home and still keeping up with the sports cars.

SMALL TORQUE

Audi S4

Engine: 4.2-litre V8 two-stage variable intake manifold, DOHC, 40-valves
Power: 253kW at 7000rpm
Torque: 410Nm at 3500rpm
Transmission: Permanent four-wheel drive with Torsen centre differential, ESP, six-speed tiptronic with DSP
Suspension: Four-links, tubular anti-roll bar (front); Trapezoidal link (rear), anti-roll bar
Brakes: ABS/EBD and ESP, four-wheel ventilated discs
Wheels: 18in cast aluminium wheels with 235/40 tyres
Performance: Top speed 250km/h (governed), 0-100 km/h 5.8 seconds
Fuel consumption: Overall 12.4 litres/100km. 63-litre tank