Audi S4 2009 Review

Price Guide (recommended price before statutory and delivery charges): $118,900
Options fitted to test car (not included in above price): Audi Drive Select $6700; special paint (Imola Yellow) $1695; Audi Music Interface $583; carbonfibre inlays $700. 
Crash rating: not tested
Fuel: 95/98RON Premium ULP 95/98
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km):9.4
CO2 emissions (g/km):219
Also consider: BMW 335i; Lexus IS F

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Consider this: before delivery and on-road imposts are applied, the very fine Audi S4 can be yours for $118,900. Or $125,600 in even finer form. Of course, should you succumb to the lure of optional goodies and trinkets the S4's cost may exceed the levels mentioned, but those baselines are the ones that matter.

It isn't such a difficult decision, really. The choice hinges on the passion with which you regard superior driving dynamics.

In practice the stock S4 gives absolutely no reason to feel even slightly under-privileged. Not with a 245kW supercharged 3.0-litre V6, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and quattro all-wheel drive for your pleasure -- plus a thoroughly rich interior and Audi's trademark great build quality.

But to realise every atom of the S4's driving potential means outlaying an extra $6700 for the Audi Drive Select option.

Actually, a version logically nick-named ADS-lite can be had for $2600. This entry-level ADS parcel covers throttle response and transmission shift-point settings, while influencing the speed-dependent Servotronic steering. It also embraces a three-stage adjustable damping system to modulate the ride and handling for the road and driving conditions. All in all, a fair-enough step in the right direction for moderately keen drivers.

But, for those serious about giving the S4 the berries on road or track the big-ticket package is the way to go. The technology contained therein lifts the S4's above-average driving dynamics into the realms of truly outstanding.

So, what's the secret? Well, going the whole $6700 hog brings the same throttle and shift-point faculties, and the triple-decker damping, but a hands-on active steering system joins the troupe to supplement a very clever rear differential. And it's a diff that has more tricks up its sleeve than David Copperfield.

Of course even the stock quattro drivetrain is far from shabby. Its torque-sensing centre differential ordinarily provides 40/60 front:rear drive bias that helps avoid the slightly flat-footed and pushy cornering attitudes common to less sophisticated all-wheel drive systems. Indeed, the S4's standard drivetrain does its thing so well one might wonder how it could be improved, or why.

The 'how' is answered by the full ADS package's active rear diff. More than just gravy for the S4's beef, the trick final-drive adds the pitch-perfect accompaniment that turns the S4's band into a symphony.

That leaves the 'why' as a point raised only by those whose driving aspirations are sufficiently sated by the forceful cornering abilities already offered with the standard rear diff.

The active rear diff isn't identified by badges or decals, doesn't change the car's look, doesn't make the exhaust even more enthusiastic, and doesn't do anything for or to the performance. With or without, the S4 storms from rest to 100 km/h in just a whisker over five seconds and demolishes the standing 400m sprint in a tad over 13 secs. No question about its virility, then.

The engine and transmission make a beautiful couple. Except for slight edginess at very low speeds, the seven-speed S tronic is seductively smooth, dominantly decisive and light-speed quick in its clinically precise rifling through the ratios. The supercharged V6 is absolutely majestic in its always immediate and muscled response, its 7000-easy rev-ability and the habitually titillating tones of its machinations and exhaust.

Officially, the S4 scores a pretty good 9.4L/100km rating. While that's credible with tepid driving, real-world results may be up to 50 per cent thirstier when using the S4 in the manner to which it is born.

And the chances of that becoming the preferred driving style are amplified with the active rear diff aboard. The supreme precision with which the diff instantly juggles torque/drive, from side to side as required, not only maximises the rears' raw thrust but also materially affects the handling's all-round qualities for the better.

As a result, the S4 feels alive. It can be stuffed into corners on the very limits of adhesion, or whipped this way or that in abrupt changes of direction, while hard on the brakes and/or gas, and remain neutral, remarkably composed and co-operatively responsive. Unlike typical all-wheel drive chassis, the active-diffed S4's handling is endowed with untrammeled agility, great fore-aft balance and seemingly fool-proof stability.

Driven to the hilt, you're left in no doubt the S4 is a car at the top of its game; a new benchmark among all-wheel-drive sports sedans.

The S4's success hasn't come overnight, of course, but only now after 12 years and several iterations, has the S4 thrown off the class also-ran label. It now has the driving dynamics and the street cred it always coveted.

Very importantly for a car of this (undercover) kind, the S4 isn't overdressed. It's handsome enough, but the relatively conservative three-box, four-door styling doesn't flaunt a tough-guy image.

Miss the slightly low-set stance, the business-like 245/40R18 rubber or the small ID badges at nose and tail, and there's nothing brashly provocative in its appearance. Nor in its quietly unruffled, and unruffling, daily demeanour.

Unless you're behind the wheel, that is. Then you soon find the S4's cloak of disarmingly cultured refinement billows behind when the road opens and your right ankle flexes. The S4 reads that as a signal to switch character and head for the horizon, quick-smart.

Although you're then on your way to the juicy bits, earlier comment about the S4's visual conservatism needs to exempt the test car's vivid Imola Yellow paint job. Thus clad, the S4's playful intent is unmistakable.

Unusually, for all its lustrous hue, Imola Yellow is a solid colour, unfortified by metallic or pearl additives. Even so, its special confection adds $1695 to the S4's list price.

The test car also included a $583 audio interface and $700 carbonfibre inlays from among many other available add-ons.

Needless to say, this week's test drive covered lots of ground and went much too quickly, if you get our, um, drift. But that's the diff-vinely driveable S4's way.

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