Audi S4 2017 Review

Ambling up to the new-generation 2017 Audi S4 (B9), a phrase instantly jumps out at me: "Sleeper".

It's a term used for someone who nods off while watching test match cricket or something that looks innocuous but packs a significant punch. There's no flared wheel-arches, no rear wing and only the slightest hint of menace from the quad exhaust pipes, subtle body kit and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Seen from 50 paces away, this could just be an entry-level Audi A4 with big wheels and metallic paint.

But step inside the classy cabin – accented with thinly-lacquered carbon-fibre, allowing you to almost feel the weave – ignite the engine and it's clear this is a sleeper, a wolf in sheep's clothing, a concealed weapon, a predator hiding in plain sight... You get the idea.

Audi and Porsche's new V6 is sound
The engine note doesn't explode into existence like the AMG 43's turbo V6, but there's a subtle thrum that tells you this is no ordinary Audi sedan. Give the 60-degree turbo V6 a squirt and it becomes clear this is a refined gentleman, as opposed to the uncouth yob that is the AMG.

But I don't mind that cultured approach. In fact, I kind of like it.

The S4 is a sleeper visually and aurally but that's not say it's silent. As the revs rise the ultra-smooth engine – co-developed with Porsche and featuring direct and multipoint injection – adds a touch more volume and pitch as it reaches its 6500rpm crescendo. You wouldn't know it was a turbo if not for a faint whistle either, such is the crispness of the V6.

The eight-speed ZF transmission is a pearler, snapping through gears with ferocity. But it seems the burps, growls and pops omnipresent in so many hi-po Volkswagen Group cars have been almost dialled out.

In my view the S4's best harmony is achieved under full load from 2000rpm in a high gear at low speed – preferably up a hill. The 260kW/500Nm 3.0-litre V6 warbles like a grasshopper sparrow during mating season, a resonant song that's never overbearing.

And, for the record, the exhaust note is louder outside the car than in, and features not a jot of synthesised trickery.

Where the S4 lacks the acoustic drama of the AMG C 43, it stamps its authority over performance. It's difficult to say without a back-to-back test, but my gut feeling is that Audi's S4 is fleeter of foot -- lighter and swifter point to point than the similarly-priced Benz.

For starters, acceleration is mega. The 2017 Audi S4 generates peak torque from just 1370rpm and sustains it until 4500rpm. The wide, flat torque curve is joined by peak power of 260kW between 5400rpm and 6400rpm.

They're very nice numbers and a claimed 0-100km/h sprint in 4.7 seconds is not only three 10ths of a second faster than its predecessor but it's on par with the 2015 RS4 Avant, a $151,000 proposition. The S4's blown V6 cannot match the RS4's 331kW at 8250rpm but it poops on its 430Nm from quite some height.

In practice, the RS4 is a fast car. Tremendously fast.

When full boost of 1.3 bar (18.8 psi) hits, it's on like Donkey Kong. The car fires ahead with resolute determination of a religious zealot and there's no rear wheel histrionics, just a little bum squat and then it rips into action.

The eight-speed ZF gearbox is an ideal consort for the rev-happy engine too, flying straight into the danger zone with rapid downshifts slotting in at 5500rpm for maximum thrust. It's also a docile, diligent companion for the engine when cruising.

Steer, grip, brake, lather, rinse, repeat
The full-time quattro AWD system shuffles up to 85 per cent torque to the rear axle via a mechanical centre diff, while defaulting to 40/60 front/rear when cruising, and grip levels are compelling. The only time it breaks traction is on the dirt, and even then it's nice and progressive.

The rear-end propulsion bias gives the car a nice balance through corners and although it never favours oversteer like a rear-drive car, it rarely understeers. With a kerb weight of 1705kg, it's 75kg lighter than its predecessor.

Audi's new S4 sits 23mm lower to the ground than vanilla-flavoured A4 models and has very little body roll or pitch. It's fitted as standard with adaptive dampers, which can be set to comfort or sport (the latter is almost too stiff) and it's an exceedingly easy car to drive fast but it's not a vapid, anaemic machine like some Audi cars.

The steering doesn't have a huge amount of feedback but there's enough feel to get a satisfying hit of endorphins when you nail a corner. The steering isn't at Jaguar XE levels, but it's improving.

You can blast into bends at full noise, jump on the big 350mm front disc brakes with six-piston callipers – hard and late – then back on the gas and the car eats it all up gleefully.

Rinse, repeat, then laugh like a megalomaniac who's just developed an insidious super weapon, because the S4 is one of the more engaging Audis I've driven in quite some time.

The clever quattro system tidies up any blunders you may make and the front-end is even sharper if you option the rear sports differential ($2950), which adds rear axle torque vectoring.

Step inside the high tech cabin
Once seated, the sense of high-tech prestige the car imparts on occupants is untouchable right now. There's no other cars in its class that can match the A4's – and especially the S4's – blend of gadgets and luxury. The flat-bottom steering wheel looks and feels the part, and has intuitive controls (and not too many of them).

The huge centrally-mounted tachometer you can toggle on the digital instrument panel (virtual cockpit in Audi-speak) is big, bold and useful, while the digital turbo pressure gauge is a nice touch too.

The chunky gear shifter is just horn, and makes the column shift in the AMG C 43 look cheap and nasty by comparison. The MMI infotainment system is pretty tidy too, and Google Maps integration elevates it above some of its rivals, as do the car's minimal, high quality touch-sensitive heating/cooling buttons. Voice control is excellent and the squiggle pad has its uses.

All the models we tested were fitted with the S performance package ($5900), which includes the gorgeous S sport seats with diamond stitching and Nappa leather upholstery. The pack also adds massage and adjustable side bolster functionality to the seats, carbon interior inlays and red brake callipers. I'd probably save my pennies and just get the carbon accents solo ($1000), but each to their own.

The standard 10-speaker stereo is pretty good. It comes with a sub-woofer, but you can upgrade to a 19-speaker Bang and Olufsen unit ($1950) if you want 3D surround sound.

There's plenty of room for rear seat passengers, the 480-litre boot is deep enough to swallow lots of luggage, expanding to 965-litres with the rear seats folded. The wagon has 505-litres of space, expanding to 1510 with seats down. And for the record, the wagon feels no different to the sedan in a dynamic sense - acceleration or handling.

Audi reckons it's slower to 100km/h by 0.2sec though, at 4.9 seconds.

Fuel consumption is unchanged over its B8 predecessor at 7.7L/100km for the sedan and 7.8L/100km for the wagon -- both respectable results. In the sedan after about 300km of driving the trip computer was reading 10.1L/100km. Not bad considering the whipping it copped.

Skynet called: It wants the car back
Audi reckons no other car in the class can touch the S4 in terms of safety technology, the five-star ANCAP rated vehicle capable of driving and parking itself in certain situations. The company declared that "every safety assistant we have available is standard on this car".

That means adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist that can steer, brake and accelerate the car autonomously at slow speeds, an exit warning system for avoiding dooring cyclists, active lane assist to steer the car into its lane, a swerve avoidance system, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) at up to 85km/h, blind spot warning, high beam assist and rear cross traffic alert to name a few. Eight airbags are standard, as are 360-degree surround cameras and auto parking functionality.

The great thing is none of the tech is intrusive or complicated to use. It's a seamless safety cornucopia. Perhaps the only thing it can't do is autonomously road rage at motorists who cut you off… Give it a few years though.

Ride comfort is not too bad for a car with such a high performance threshold, and particularly when it rides on big 19-inch alloy wheels. It's not perfect and you do feel repetitive low amplitude bumps such as corrugated corners, but overall it's a pleasant car to cruise in, and quiet too.

It comes with a three-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and servicing intervals are 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. Depreciation levels on the A4 aren't too bad either, according to pricing authority Redbook.com.au.

The Audi S4 takes everything that makes the regular A4 a class-leader and injects a massive dose of aggression that can you can choose to manipulate effortlessly. But you wouldn't know it by looking at it. It's a sleeper.

2017 Audi S4 sedan pricing and specifications:
Price: $99,900 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo-petrol
Output: 260kW/500Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 175g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP