06.11.2008
With a V6 engine instead of a V8, sober looks, lower CO2 emissions – has the new Audi S4 become too sensible to deliver driving thrills?
Read the 14 page feature magazine and then tell us what you think.
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12 Comments
Kermit79
November 6, 2008Richard, completely agree on the looks front. It is almost as if the styling is there to act as a bit of an apology that Audi is still producing high performance cars.
I am sure that smaller capacity forced induction engines is the way we are headed, certainly if manufacturers are going to get anywhere near the targets they have been set.
Do you think there is any reason to have this car ahead of the 3.0 TDI? An S-line will look more or less identical, the diesel doesn’t sound bad, have more torque and better fuel consumption, possibly lower CO2 levels.
To me if you can hold on for a extra secong to hit 60mph, then I don’t think this does a huge amount to shout the petrol cause……
Kermit79
November 6, 2008Richard, completely agree on the looks front. It is almost as if the styling is there to act as a bit of an apology that Audi is still producing high performance cars.
I am sure that smaller capacity forced induction engines is the way we are headed, certainly if manufacturers are going to get anywhere near the targets they have been set.
Do you think there is any reason to have this car ahead of the 3.0 TDI? An S-line will look more or less identical, the diesel doesn’t sound bad, have more torque and better fuel consumption, possibly lower CO2 levels.
To me if you can hold on for a extra secong to hit 60mph, then I don’t think this does a huge amount to shout the petrol cause……
Richard - DR
November 7, 2008I think the S4 would have a fair bit more about it than a 3.0 TDI, but you’re right to think that the gap between the two has closed with the loss of the V8. The new V6 is a good, strong engine and has an enthusiasm for revs the oiler can’t match. It also has a broader spread of power and torque, so you enjoy the sensation of an engine working towards some kind of crescendo, but an S4 with the S5′s motor would be a whole different ball game.
Whatever the feeling is on trading eight cylinders for six and a blower, I think we’d feel a whole lot more enthused about the S4 if it looked like a sporting car. If only the styling matched the impressive performance figures and advanced technology it would be much harder to resist.
Richard - DR
November 7, 2008I think the S4 would have a fair bit more about it than a 3.0 TDI, but you’re right to think that the gap between the two has closed with the loss of the V8. The new V6 is a good, strong engine and has an enthusiasm for revs the oiler can’t match. It also has a broader spread of power and torque, so you enjoy the sensation of an engine working towards some kind of crescendo, but an S4 with the S5′s motor would be a whole different ball game.
Whatever the feeling is on trading eight cylinders for six and a blower, I think we’d feel a whole lot more enthused about the S4 if it looked like a sporting car. If only the styling matched the impressive performance figures and advanced technology it would be much harder to resist.
Mark McTavish
November 8, 2008I think it’s good to see VAG continuing to explore supercharging in their new cars.
The G40 supercharger from the 80/90′s, although flawed when it came to servicing and manufacturing costs, was a great unit for producing ample boost all over the rev range.
I’ve only recently had my first exposure to VAG’s old 1.8 20vT engine (Seat Ibiza Cupra R) and I was really disappointed. Lousy throttle response and a torque/power delivery that felt more like a diesel than petrol powered car. The complete opposite to the old 1.3 8v cross-flow supercharged motor from the Polo G40.
I hope that supercharging the S4 has retained slack free response from the engine and little or no noticeable lag whilst waiting for boost pressure to develop?
Figures would suggest that it has the ability to achieve better MPG than my 2.4 30v V6 A6 avant…progress…
Mark McTavish
November 8, 2008I think it’s good to see VAG continuing to explore supercharging in their new cars.
The G40 supercharger from the 80/90′s, although flawed when it came to servicing and manufacturing costs, was a great unit for producing ample boost all over the rev range.
I’ve only recently had my first exposure to VAG’s old 1.8 20vT engine (Seat Ibiza Cupra R) and I was really disappointed. Lousy throttle response and a torque/power delivery that felt more like a diesel than petrol powered car. The complete opposite to the old 1.3 8v cross-flow supercharged motor from the Polo G40.
I hope that supercharging the S4 has retained slack free response from the engine and little or no noticeable lag whilst waiting for boost pressure to develop?
Figures would suggest that it has the ability to achieve better MPG than my 2.4 30v V6 A6 avant…progress…
Daytonafan
November 9, 2008I’m slightly confused the article references the M3 and C63 as rivals. Surely the 335I (or 335D)is a more appropriate rival both in price and performance.
Daytonafan
November 9, 2008I’m slightly confused the article references the M3 and C63 as rivals. Surely the 335I (or 335D)is a more appropriate rival both in price and performance.
Steve
November 9, 2008That was what Dickie was saying in the feature, Audi choose to reference the M3 and C63 as competitors in their press material, but a 335i would seem far more realistic to compare it against.
That’s certainly where we’re likely to be starting from when compiling a future group test.
Steve
November 9, 2008That was what Dickie was saying in the feature, Audi choose to reference the M3 and C63 as competitors in their press material, but a 335i would seem far more realistic to compare it against.
That’s certainly where we’re likely to be starting from when compiling a future group test.
Andrew
November 13, 2008Maybe in the UK owners of this type of car want to stand out, but here in Switzerland I reckon over half of S and RS models are de-badged and I guess most buyers will opt for the body-coloured door mirrors. It’s just not done to stand-out.
Due to the snow the cars are immensely popular. I remember once passing the Audi dealer in my old village in Geneva to find they only had S and RS cars on the forecourt. (The joke around here is that the badges stand for ‘Swiss’ and ‘Really Swiss’).
What would be an interesting comparison would be comparing the S4 to the 335xi – that surely must be the closest match.
Andrew
November 13, 2008Maybe in the UK owners of this type of car want to stand out, but here in Switzerland I reckon over half of S and RS models are de-badged and I guess most buyers will opt for the body-coloured door mirrors. It’s just not done to stand-out.
Due to the snow the cars are immensely popular. I remember once passing the Audi dealer in my old village in Geneva to find they only had S and RS cars on the forecourt. (The joke around here is that the badges stand for ‘Swiss’ and ‘Really Swiss’).
What would be an interesting comparison would be comparing the S4 to the 335xi – that surely must be the closest match.