Others like to match the S4 to BMW's M3. Compared to the rear-wheel-drive, six-cylinder, two-door Bimmer, you can either view the
S4's two-extra doors and cylinders plus quattro as either a disadvantage or an advantage. Depends on where your priorities lie.
But pitch the hot-rod Audi against more natural vee-eight Q-ship rivals, like the Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG (362 h.p./376 lb.-ft. of torque, $73,600) or Cadillac's CTS-V (400 h.p./395 lb.-ft. of torque, $68,430) and its hard not to choose the Audi as the all-around driver's choice.
And if all that the 2006 Audi S4 offers still isn't enough, just wait for the busy bees from Ingolstadt, Germany. The much anticipated 414 h.p./317 lb.-ft. of torque RS 4 should be in Canada by mid- to late-summer, followed in the fall by the new S6 sedan, powered by a 420 h.p./399 lb.-ft. of torque 5.2-litre V10 inherited from Lamborghini and also found in the S8.
At the very least, get the brochures.
- John LeBlanc is an automotive critic and Publisher of www.straight-six.com
Just the facts...
Build quality 6/6
Features 4/6
Performance 6/6
Fun-to-drive 5/6
Overall value 5/6
Vehicle Type: Front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
Engine: DOHC, 4.2-litre V-8
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Horsepower: 340 @ 7,000 rpm
Torque: 302 lb.-ft.@ 3,500 rpm
Curb Weight: 1,755 kilograms
0 to 100 kms/hr: 5.6 seconds
Wheels & Tires: 18-inch alloy with 235/40 summer performance tires
Base price: $68,950
Optional Equipment: Cambridge Green pearl effect* ($1,000) Smoker's Package ($50)
Price As Tested: $69,950
photo:John LeBlanc
 |
| 2006 Audi S4 (Photo: John LeBlanc, straight-six.com) |
But pitch the hot-rod Audi against more natural vee-eight Q-ship rivals, like the Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG (362 h.p./376 lb.-ft. of torque, $73,600) or Cadillac's CTS-V (400 h.p./395 lb.-ft. of torque, $68,430) and its hard not to choose the Audi as the all-around driver's choice.
And if all that the 2006 Audi S4 offers still isn't enough, just wait for the busy bees from Ingolstadt, Germany. The much anticipated 414 h.p./317 lb.-ft. of torque RS 4 should be in Canada by mid- to late-summer, followed in the fall by the new S6 sedan, powered by a 420 h.p./399 lb.-ft. of torque 5.2-litre V10 inherited from Lamborghini and also found in the S8.
At the very least, get the brochures.
- John LeBlanc is an automotive critic and Publisher of www.straight-six.com
Just the facts...
Build quality 6/6
Features 4/6
Performance 6/6
Fun-to-drive 5/6
Overall value 5/6
Vehicle Type: Front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
Engine: DOHC, 4.2-litre V-8
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Horsepower: 340 @ 7,000 rpm
Torque: 302 lb.-ft.@ 3,500 rpm
Curb Weight: 1,755 kilograms
0 to 100 kms/hr: 5.6 seconds
Wheels & Tires: 18-inch alloy with 235/40 summer performance tires
Base price: $68,950
Optional Equipment: Cambridge Green pearl effect* ($1,000) Smoker's Package ($50)
Price As Tested: $69,950
photo:John LeBlanc
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