Audi S4 Avant 2017 Track Review

Track Test

It might be more at home in the private school car park, but the $102,900 (plus on-road costs) Audi S4 Avant is no less a very competent performance machine. Stealthily fast, the S4’s combination of an engine co-developed with Porsche, precise eight-speed automatic transmission by ZF, stunning quattro all-wheel drive traction and wonderfully balanced S suspension give it a sporting character that belies its elegant looks – and one that managed to knock the socks of V8 Supercar racer Luke Youlden recently. Join us for a hot lap of Victoria’s Broadford Raceway to find out more…

When Audi threw us the keys to its newest S4, we figured another ‘road’ test wouldn’t reveal much more than we already knew. We’d already sampled the car at the international launch in Germany and during our first Australian drive out of Orange. On both occasions it left us impressed.

But rather than another glowing appraisal of the S4’s many merits – and there are many – we decided a trip to the track was in order. Here, the 260kW/500Nm EA838-series turbocharged V6 would have a chance to stretch its legs, free from the inhibitions of a 100km/h speed limit.

We’d also have a closed, safe environment in which to challenge the all-wheel drive system’s locking centre differential, tightened suspension and bigger brakes – extremely capable equipment seldom exploited to its fullest on the road.

And while we make no claims of being race drivers here at motoring.com.au, we do have on staff a man who is. V8 Supercar racer Luke Youlden jumped behind the wheel of the S4 Avant 3.0 TFSI quattro (to use its correct title) at Victoria’s Broadford Raceway, quickly setting a time that came a bee’s junk close to certain ‘M’ and ‘AMG’ models we could – and will – mention. More on that in a moment.

Accelerating hard from the pitlane, Youlden wastes no time bring the S4 to redline. The turbocharged V6 complies eagerly, spinning freely to its 6400rpm peak and shifting seamlessly through its eight-speed automatic.

The transmission responds instantly to the commands of the steering wheel-mounted paddles, and by turn 1-2 (a long, sweeping, uphill, on/off-camber, tightening-apex corner) the S4 is already well over the state prescribed speed limit.

It’s here Youlden comments on the first of the S4’s ‘unexpected’ strengths, balance at the limit.

“I was expecting the S4 to understeer here,” explained Youlden. “If anything it had a slight tendency toward mid-corner oversteer. Combine the traction of the quattro all-wheel drive system and it’s really easy to balance the car -- just modulate the throttle through the corner, then mash it early and drive it out.”

Match that to accessible torque – 500Nm from just 1370rpm – for authoritative drive from the bends and it’s pretty evident the S4 is capable of devouring straightaways as readily as it dispatches corners.

“The engine is stunning. It gets on with the job without a whimper: No lag. No fuss. It’s an absolute stand-out feature,” Youlden enthused.

The lumpy back straight of Broadford – capable of unsettling even the most hardened track car – only lightly challenged the S4. The left-hand kink at the top of the circuit – a high-speed section of the track ready to unstick road cars with little aerodynamic prowess -- requires a car to communicate its intentions quickly.

Here, steering feedback and feel through the seat are paramount, and though the S4’s electrically-assisted steering is sharp in response, feedback to the driver is less than brilliant.

The tighter downhill corners through the back of the Broadford circuit showed some of the S4’s softness. While still capable, the suspension travel that gives the ‘S’ variant its midway tune (between regular ‘A’ and high-performance ‘RS’ variants) made some body-roll was evident, taking what Youlden said was ‘tenths’ from the clock.

Given the S4’s touring ability – and its ability to make up speed elsewhere – we’re not sure too many buyers would mind.

“It’s just so perfectly rounded on the track; it does everything really well,” surmised Youlden. “All aspects of the chassis, the engine, the brakes and transmission are exceptionally good. It’s very much an under-the-radar track-day performer.”

Romping hard from the track’s tighter section to a hard, downhill right-hander that flattens on exit, the S4 is hard on brakes – and the front left-hand tyre. Both held up well. Again, it’s the precision of the throttle and all-wheel drive system that keep the car in check, the tail-end stepping cheekily toward the grass as Youlden settles the nose.

A purposeful tug at the wheel settles the S4 into a steady arc before it leaps left and over the crest to the main straight. Crossing the finish line, the S4 recorded an impressive 1:07.520.

As a car built for fast, inter-city touring and with proportions and mass (1603kg) that are far from delicate, the S4 performed like a thoroughbred champ at the tight, undulating motorcycle racetrack at Broadford.

Its lap time was within sniffing distance of the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S we ran here recently (1:05.029), and not too far from the track-focussed BMW M4 Competition (1:03.915).

Considering it’s substantially cheaper and infinitely more practical than both Germans, for which Audi's direct competitor is likely to be an all-new RS 4 sedan, that says a lot about the S4’s ‘sleeper’ status.

And let’s not forget the vast array of useful technology, cosseting ergonomics and, in the case of the Avant, 505-litre boot!

Yes, the B9-series S4 is a cracking good car: Flexible, secure, responsive and spirited. It mightn’t be as sharp or hard-charging as Audi’s RS variants, but it’s not supposed to be.

It’s a mid-range sports wagon that fits the design brief brilliantly – and all of this without the raucous exhaust and ‘look at me’ stance of its rivals. In a word, it’s the perfect car for the family buyer with a need for speed.

Related reading:
>> Audi S4 Australian Launch Review
>> Audi S4 International Launch Review