Audi S4 reviews

2009 Audi S4 Driving Impressions

Until you get aggressive with the throttle, you'd never know this was such a serious machine. The S4 idles quietly and smoothly, making casual around-town driving a cinch. But give it some gas and the Audi surges ahead, even with revs as low as 2000 rpm. There's a solid push throughout the rev range, with neither turbo lag nor turbo whistle, just a muted throaty roar from the V6. Motorheads who are most likely to buy this car might actually wish the engine was a bit louder under full throttle. The twin-turbo makes quick work out of passing on a two-lane road and it catapults the car out of corners. Without attention to the speedometer, one could easily become radar fodder. In this case, you'll appreciate that conservative exterior.

Like all Audi engines sold in the U.S., the S4's cylinder heads have five-valve-per-cylinder architecture for superior breathing. But the S4 adds two small turbos, which can deliver the same boost as one big turbocharger because, with less mass, they spool up faster. The smaller twin turbos virtually eliminate the turbo lag (delay in throttle response) that's associated with big turbos.

Audi did more than hang twin turbos on its V6, however. The engineers also made the cylinder bore slightly smaller -- and thicker -- to handle the added pressure from turbocharging; that reduced displacement from 2.8 liters to 2.7 liters. Carefully shaped intake tracts cause the intake charge to tumble in the combustion chamber for more efficient burning, and the intake valve timing is variable. The engine is tuned for responsive torque and develops 258 foot-pounds from 1850 to 3600 rpm; it reaches its horsepower peak at a relatively low 5800 rpm.

Although the S4 is available with a 5-speed Tiptronic automatic, we drove only the 6-speed manual transmission. Some 6-speed gearboxes are difficult to use, but there was no such problem with the S4. The only possible complaint is that the fore-and-aft shift throws are somewhat long. Clutch engagement and disengagement are abrupt, not surprising given the amount of power available. Also, as on most Audis, we found the initial brake-pedal action to be extremely sensitive. Practice will be required for smoothness.

Suspension is pleasantly firm. The S4 has the kind of ride that traditional luxury car buyers would call hard. Compared to the A6 2.7 T, with which the S4 shares its engine, the S4 rides much more firmly. Road seams, blemishes and flaws that the A6 would absorb, the S4 telegraphs to the occupants. On an undulating road the S4 feels like a speedboat on a light chop. The low-profile 17-inch tires relay a lot of road noise from coarse pavement, seams and bots dots.

The benefit comes in the crispness with which the S4 attacks corners. The steering feel has a nice Germanic weight to it, providing precise, one-to-one correspondence with the road. The S4 rotates well under hard cornering. Where other cars would drift wide through a corner, the S4 will continue to turn, thanks to the tremendous grip offered by its quattro four-wheel drive. Enthusiasts will want to arrange some track time.

Audi revised the suspension of the S4 with extensive use of aluminum. The lighter suspension pieces mean a smoother ride and improved tracking of wheels over bumpy pavement for better grip. Furthermore, revised geometry sharpens steering response. The sports suspension tuning lowers the S4 and includes firmer springs and shock absorbers. The S4 also boasts race-track-worthy brakes, with massive 16-inch discs with 4-piston 4-pad calipers inside 17-inch Avus alloy wheels mounted with 225/45 performance radials.

Audi's quattro system, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, features a TORSEN differential that mechanically redistributes torque up to 66 percent to whichever axle has more traction. At both front and rear the S4 has Electronic Differential Locking, which detects and limits wheel spin from side to side up to 45 mph. Audi brags that with the current quattr