It's sure got a lot to offer though. Each outboard seat is heated. There are sunshades in the rear--presumably to help relax the eyes after a day on the slopes. The navigation system is a bit fussy to use, and it's not a touch screen, but it works well. Other goodies included carbon-fibre trim, power seat adjustment, sunroof, steering wheel mounted controls and even adjustable thigh support for the front seats. There's a Bose stereo too, though I've no idea what it sounds like, because Audi makes some of the best sounding engines on earth.
It all combines for an uneasy calm while driving. Although the performance hardware doesn't ruin any and all comfort, there's always just enough of the "S" badge's presence tempting each of your senses to push the machine's limits. If you do, it's a rewarding experience indeed. If you keep off the power and cruise along gently, it's just a great big tease.
Frigid Functionality
Audi have made sure that S4 drivers are equipped with a full arsenal of winter-busting weapons. With automatic wipers, heated seats and mirrors and automatic climate control, it tells Mother Nature where to go. The headlights steer into corners, and have their own squirters--so visibility is always excellent. The navigation system will guide you to a chosen destination, with the Quattro system ensuring you arrive on time.
The Drive
There's something angry under the hood: a 4.2-litre V8 engine which dispenses 340 horsepower to all four wheels through a 6-speed manual gearbox. The mill takes premium only, and averages about 16L / 100km in cold weather driving. I could have achieved better figures had I tried to drive more conservatively, but I didn't.
It's hard to drive the S4 gently. The engine's constant burble and the temptation to gear the short-shifter down a notch or two and drop the hammer is tough to ignore. The sound it makes is something to recon with too--the exhaust note will haunt your non-driving time for weeks. All in all, the unleashed S4's svelte savagery is a vicious yet graceful dance, controlled easily by your fingertips and right foot. Calling it a driver's car is an understatement.
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| The front seats are equipped with adjustable thigh support. |
It all combines for an uneasy calm while driving. Although the performance hardware doesn't ruin any and all comfort, there's always just enough of the "S" badge's presence tempting each of your senses to push the machine's limits. If you do, it's a rewarding experience indeed. If you keep off the power and cruise along gently, it's just a great big tease.
Frigid Functionality
Audi have made sure that S4 drivers are equipped with a full arsenal of winter-busting weapons. With automatic wipers, heated seats and mirrors and automatic climate control, it tells Mother Nature where to go. The headlights steer into corners, and have their own squirters--so visibility is always excellent. The navigation system will guide you to a chosen destination, with the Quattro system ensuring you arrive on time.
The Drive
There's something angry under the hood: a 4.2-litre V8 engine which dispenses 340 horsepower to all four wheels through a 6-speed manual gearbox. The mill takes premium only, and averages about 16L / 100km in cold weather driving. I could have achieved better figures had I tried to drive more conservatively, but I didn't.
It's hard to drive the S4 gently. The engine's constant burble and the temptation to gear the short-shifter down a notch or two and drop the hammer is tough to ignore. The sound it makes is something to recon with too--the exhaust note will haunt your non-driving time for weeks. All in all, the unleashed S4's svelte savagery is a vicious yet graceful dance, controlled easily by your fingertips and right foot. Calling it a driver's car is an understatement.
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| My kind of playground. |