Audi S4 Avant 2004 review: snapshot

It's a less than endearing term for what has traditionally morphed through the ages as a plain jane yet conventional mode of transport.

That is until the Germans put the sword through the bland wagon, or as they are more lavishly termed in Europe, Estates or Avants.

So why can't you have exhilaration, performance and drive-the-socks-off-me fun in a wagon?

Explore the 2004 Audi S4 range

• Audi S4 manual 2004 review
• Audi S4 auto 2004 review
• Audi S4 Avant 2004 review
• Audi S4 2004 review
• Audi S4 Avant 2004 review: snapshot

Well you can.

Audi has created a thrill-a-minute version with the S4 Avant.

It is full of pepper and spice, a departure from the norm and, as you would expect, comes with a price tag to match.

Admittedly at $133,100 it does not fall within everyone's budget.

The price may destroy some dreams but for those who can afford it the Avant provides flexibility without compromise.

Another way to look at it is this hard core Audi can accommodate a small family for a similar price as BMW's heroic M3 but without the space restrictions of the marauding Munich coupe.

In every application the raunchy Avant is accomplished in its performance of intended function.

No longer is taking the kids to Saturday sport a chore but a reward at the end of a tough working week.

The glory of the S4 Avant, based on the sedan version of the same badge, is what's lodged in between the front wheels.

A 4.2 litre V8 sends guttural notes pounding through the ends of the twin tailpipes.

This eight-potter delivers excellent sprinting power and linearity.

Yet through 253kW it maintains a level of behaviour and tractability that makes it as smooth to drive on a run to the shops as it is on a spirited drive along a quiet twisting road.

All-wheel-drive quattro gives it excellent balance, cornering grip is up there with its performance and the handling is crisp.

While there is a helping of understeer, probably a fraction more than the sedan variant, the Avant remains composed over choppy roads, remaining firm and strong through mid corner bumps.

The brakes are smart and sure, the 340mm ventilated discs up front and 300mm at the rear more than adequate for the performance.

The pedal remains firm through low to medium application yet it is able to offer the driver a high level of control.

Steering is well weighted and is one of the more communicative tillers in Audi's range.

In 6-speed manual trim as tested the shifters were well gated, offering slick changes from a car which had been nicely eased in with 5600km on the odometer.

Treated kindly the S4 Avant will still eat into the fuel budget, sucking about 13.5 litres/100km from the 66 litre tank.

The engine supported by the sweet aluminium chassis is the hero of the S4.

It may have been tamed down slightly but Audi design engineer's move to hook up a chain drive for the camshafts and ancillaries on the output side of the engine made it possible trim the engine length by 52mm.

Overall the V8 weighs 195kg, comparable to the engine it replaced in the previous model, the 2.7 litre bi-turbo V6.

It certainly goes a long way to supplementing handling, the weight over the front wheels, feeling nothing like the anchor some V8s can be.

Unassuming looks give this express wagon a degree of stealth.

There are no badges to indicate this compact Audi has an eight cylinder heart.

While the six-figure largesse is not on everyone's radar, the S4 Avant has the grace and pace to be a rewarding drive for any occasion for those who can afford to choose.

The sonorous tones find most listening ears on the road.

Many who hear before they look seem bewildered when they finally clap eyes on a rather benign looking wagon, or Avant, to use the Audi vernacular.