s4 drive

[Dave.Eaton]

i had my 1st chance to pilot the new s4 today.  i drove an s4 avant.

impressions:  a disappointing car if you are looking for obvious signs of
"go-faster" potential.  the car looks barely different to the a4q 3.0.
personally, i found this a let-down.  18" wheels are the avuus type, but
closer appraisal and you see a very nice set of callipers hiding behind the
spokes.

inside:  the car is usual a4.  beautifully finished, but a notch down from
the s8, with a nicely supportive set of seats.  dash is nice and clear, but
rear leg room, while much better than the old s4, is still not a patch on
the s6/s8.  i found the pedal box for the manual quite small, certainly a
bit of a challenge for left foot braking.

driving:  simply wonderful.  the car is dominated by the best
engine/transmission in any audi i've driven.  bar none.  the s8 has a better
top-end, but hasn't the immediacy of the manual s4.  the transmission has a
nice short-throw, notchy feel to it.  again, the best manual audi has
produced.  the engine is superb.  it doesn't have the top-end of the s8, nor
the creamy rev-limit, but it is much faster to rev, with none of the
lethargic throttle response of the turbo cars, or indeed the other v8's.  it
also has a nice growl - a bonus for those who would wish that the s8 would
growl more.  the breadth of puff in the unit is staggering.  i found myself
calmly (and swiftly) pulling away in 3rd with barely 1,000rpm on the clock.
not a hint of snatch, or grumble from the driveline.  try doing that in any
other manual audi.

it would do the car a great disservice to characterise it as all
engine/tranny, with nothing else (like many hi-po audi's) - it is much more
than that.  the handling seemed very composed.  the turn-in was sharp with
none of the artificial heaviness which ruins the s6/rs6.  nicely weighted,
more weight than the s8, with similar feel.  i'd probably prefer it to the
s8 (which has a great compromise in this area), but would need more time to
be sure.  also, unusually for a quattro, you can feel the rear end more, and
the cornering is nicely controlled.

personally, if i was without the family, i'd buy the car in a second.  with
family, and the s8 still rules as the ultimate go-faster audi which can
include (actually indulge) your family - with a nicer interior, more special
build, equally special engine and brilliant handling...

lovely car, the s4.  you owe yourself a drive.

dave
'01 s8