MOTORS
by BARRIE MILLS
G
O ON, have a guess. How many different versions of the new-look Audi A4 do you think there are? It’s a popular car, so there’s bound to be a few different engines … and there’s an estate, and then there’s that off-road one … maybe eight or nine? A dozen? Surprising as it may seem, there are actually 110 different versions of the latest generation A4 available to order from your local Audi dealer right now. The difference between some of them may not amount to much more than a transmission swap, but that’s still a huge number. However, the one that really stands out from that vast range does so because of a letter, not a number. The high-performance S4 is the flagship of the revitalised fleet – at least until the even higher-performance RS4 joins the team in September 2012. At launch, though, the S4 is the full-fat option in a range dominated by eco-friendly engines and CO2-saving engineering tweaks, such as engine stop-start and a new ‘efficiency’ mode. Like its greener brothers, it has had a styling makeover that subtly reworks the front end to a more chiselled appearance. The S4 also has changes to its headlights, bumpers and air intakes. Under the skin, though, the changes are more clearly defined. The S4’s 3.0-litre, six-cylinder TFSI engine delivers 330PS through a seven-speed S tronic gearbox. That’s enough to get it from 0-62mph in five seconds (the estate-bodied Avant takes one-tenth of a second longer) and on to a limited top speed of 155mph. The quattro four wheel drive system makes the most of 440Nm of torque and yet, according to Audi’s figures, the car can still achieve 34.9mpg on average. To achieve that figure in reality will require a very light touch on the throttle, however, as on a spirited but by no means illegal test drive I managed only 22mpg. Clearly, fuel economy is not your priority if you have bought an S4 and it’s only by letting it off the leash a little that you can enjoy its sporting character. Like the rest of the new-look range, much work has been done by Audi to improve handling and steering. Compared to the outgoing car, there is a noticeable improvement. All models get electro-mechanical power steering, which constantly adapts its gearing (and therefore weighting) to the driving conditions. It also draws no power when the wheel is straight ahead, saving 7g/km of CO2. However, even though the set-up for the S4 is the best in the range, it still lacks the feel of non-electronic systems. Occasionally, when backing off the throttle, it can feel vague, even mid-corner. At least there is a fantastic new flat-bottomed wheel to help you live
Edited by Mike Torpey
S S E R P X SE ed with on ck re be to 4 A is ip sh ag fl i d u A
MAY THE FOUR BE WITH YOU: Audi’s popular A4 range has been revitalised, with the powerful S4 at the top of a huge a line-up of models out your racing driver fantasies. That aside, the S4 is a worthy range-topper in a line-up that spans the various Saloon, Avant and allroad versions. Interiors have also been reworked across the range. They were never exactly a weak point with Audi, but the new cars have improvements to controls such as the MMI nav-entertainment system and some nice new leather trims and finishes. In terms of onboard technology
the new A4 models are a step up from the previous generation and now feature a simplified multi-media system and the ability to hook the car up to the internet, turning it into a mobile WiFi hotspot. All new A4s are also fitted with a driver fatigue monitor and options include anti-collision systems and lane departure warnings and blind spot alerts. With diesels now being the
predominant engine in the A4 – there are six of them available in the range – average emissions have been cut by more than 20 per cent compared to the previous models. Audi is also backing up its standard warranty on the A4 with a service and maintenance package which extends the guarantee to five years and 90,000 miles and includes all routine work for three years as well as the first MOT. It’s available on the saloon, Avant
and allroad for £34 a month and can be extended to include new tyres for an extra £18 a month. For the S4 saloon and estate the package is more expensive, costing £44 or £66 a month to include tyres. Pricing of the S4 range extends from £38,665 on the road for the S4 Saloon to £41,115 for the S4 Avant Black Edition. Meanwhile, the A4 range begins at £23,625 OTR for the 1.8-litre TFSI manual.