2004 Audi S4 Cabriolet Road Test

The S4's suspension calibration strikes what I like to refer to as the "gray racer" balance; meaning that middle-aged folk will

Not punishing like the BMW M3, the S4's suspension was perfect for my near half century old body. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

find all the handling performance they could possibly yearn for, but without jarring capable of loosening fillings that often accompanies true race machines, such as the BMW M3. In fact, I found the S4's compliance level to be perfect for my near half century body. Anything more rigid would have increased my chiropractor's net revenue and done very little for me in the way of enhancing enjoyment behind the wheel.

The performance-tuned S4 coil-spring suspension that so adeptly deals simultaneously with handling and bump absorption is fully independent; aided by fore and aft

Thanks to a high performance braking system, all of my emergency stop tests were arrow straight and nicely controlled. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

anti-roll bars and gas charged shocks. Complementing the sporting characteristics of the S4 chassis is a set of low-profile 18-inch tires mounted on alloy rims.

Like over-protective parents, the S4 brakes are always there to slow the tempo - and quite rapidly I might add. Vented discs sit at all four corners, and to add insurance to their effectiveness are fitted with an antilock system (ABS) and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD). As with most high performance braking systems, the S4's antilock security blanket does not impede assertive braking maneuvers. ABS intervention is there when needed, but not before. My emergency stops were arrow straight and nicely controlled. Pedal pressure evoked precise, definitive braking over and over again, with little noticeable fade.