2004 Audi S4 Review

German automakers with upscale nameplates have been really good at producing cars that combine the feel and performance of a fast sports car with the utility of four-seat models since the 1980s.

Among such top cars are the Audi S4, BMW M3 and Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG. They're hot-rod versions of high-volume production models and illustrate an automaker's capabilities.

Prices of these specialty cars start north of $45,000, but their high resale values partly offsets the initial cost. They're carefully engineered by high-performance experts and thus won't fall apart during hard use. They're such a blast to drive that many owners never want to part with them.

The compact S4 comes as the hot-rod version of Audi's entry level A4 sedan and Avant station wagon and has the automaker's advanced "quattro'' all-wheel-drive system. The S4 succeeds last year's low-volume 450-horsepower RS 6 model, which has been dropped from Audi's mid-size A6 line this year.

The S4 was named the winner in a comparison test with the BMW M3 and Mercedes C32 AMG in Road & Track magazine's December issue. I recently tested the S4 Avant wagon, which is virtually identical to the sedan except it's about 100 pounds heavier with more cargo volume.

The Avant wagon is nearly as stylish as the sedan; it's perhaps even more stylish to some because it looks somewhat like one of the popular new utilitarian "crossover'' vehicles.

The Avant costs $46,650 with a six-speed manual gearbox and $47,800 with a six-speed automatic transmission that has a manual shift feature. The sedan is $45,650 with the manual, $46,800 with the automatic.

My test screaming-yellow Avant had the manual gearbox, which has a race car's short-throw shift lever and crisp action. The clutch is light, although it has a long throw. As with Road & Track's test S4 sedan, the Avant's clutch was slightly finicky when accelerating from a standing start.

The S4 is roomy for four 6-footers. But, despite its larger cargo volume, the Avant's wide front console steals knee space -- and there's not much rear room to spare for 6-footers. However, rear seatbacks flip forward to enlarge the Avant's cargo area.

The heart of any car is its engine, and the S4 has one of the best. It has the first V-8 in the small high-performance car market.

Although that V-8 is light and compact, Audi still had to relocate its drive chains to the rear of the engine to reduce its overall length by about 18 inches and make it fit in the S4's compact engine compartment. There's no more room for the V-8 than in the milder A4 models, which have a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 170 horsepower or a 3-liter V-6 with 220 horsepower.

The V-8 makes the 155-mph S4 sedan and Avant extremely quick, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.3 seconds for the sedan and 5.4 seconds for the Avant with the manual transmission. Figures with the responsive automatic transmission are marginally higher.

The A4 sedan and Avant are rather heavy at about 3,900 pounds, so mile-per-gallon figures are only in the mid teens in the city and low 20s on highways.

The docile V-8 lets the S4 sedan and Avant be driven like an ordinary car, but it generates so much power and instant throttle response that occupants almost seem as if they'll be thrown in the back seat during hard acceleration. With the engine's high power and torque, there's no need to downshift from sixth gear to get decent passing times on the highway.

The impressive torque also lets a driver immediately shift to fourth or fifth gear without engine protest after leaving first gear in town -- although most might want to upshift through all gears because the manual shifter has such a race-car feel.

The S4 actually feels much like a race car, almost anticipating a driver's moves. The precise power steering is fast, but heavy enough to prevent a driver from inadvertently turning the wheel too quickly and, say, accidentally edging into an adjoining lane.

Handling is amazingly good for a road car, and wide 40-series tires on 18-inch wheels assist the all-wheel-drive system in gripping the road. Powerful anti-lock brakes allow short stopping distances. While firm, the independent suspension soaks up bumps without disturbing occupants. There's clearly a lot to be said for letting an automaker's high-performance car engineers modify regular production cars.

Not that Audi lets high performance get in the way of comfort or refinement. The S4 sedan and Avant are well equipped with comfort and convenience features, including leather upholstery.

The S4 models also have a leather-wrapped sport steering wheel, special Recaro power front bucket seats with excellent support for brisk driving, gray birch wood trim and easily read, well-lit gauges with the S4 logo. Controls are easily reached and decently sized, but outside mirrors should be larger.

Safety features include front side air bags and head-protecting curtain side air bags for front and rear occupants. Side impact rear air bags are a $350 option.

Other options include a $1,350 navigation system and $450 heated front seats. A $1,650 Premium package contains a tilt-slide power glass sunroof.

Most people should be satisfied with the standard, above-average Audi A4 models. Although the S4 sedan and Avant wagon aren't for everyone, they definitely show that Audi can make extraordinary models.

2004 AUDI S4

Price
$45,650-$47,800

Likes
Sensational performance. All-wheel drive. Race-car-style handling.

Dislikes
Space-eating front console. Long-throw clutch. Rather small outside mirrors.