s4 look-see

[Eaton Dave <dave.eaton@minedu.govt.nz>]

i had my 1st look-see of an s4 yesterday. silver metallic, black leather
with carbon fibre-trim.  i'm not a fan of silver on the a4, i think the dark
colours look better.  likewise, although the rs2 has carbon-fibre, and i
like it, on the s4, i prefer the wooden trim.

fitout is as good as we've come to expect from audi.  cabin fit and finish
were 1st class, and better than the rs2, although not by a lot.  the other
noticeable thing, apart from the nice shut lines, was the less "substantial"
feel to the car.  clearly the door "thunk" tells you that there is mass in
the car, but a look at the door jams makes you realise how much more
substantial the 80-based shell is. at this point, you suspend credulity and
assume that the better crash-rating means that the car is actually more
solid than those that precede in audi-lineage.

seats are good, although not the nice "bum pinchers" that the rs2 recaros
are.  better than the ur-quattro ones although the leather seemed slippery,
though i'd expect only a long drive will tell you these things.

interior room is about normal for an a4.  i'm not sure whether the sports
seats have robbed the car of some more rear leg-room.  i'd expect a little,
which is unfortunate.  a full-sized wheel is still fitted in the boot
without penalty in boot space, which is still excellent.  michelin pilot
sx's fitted.

very large set of brakes with an enormous vacuum assist unit.

cooling is not as extreme as you would imagine.  the front apron of the
vehicle is actually little different from the 2.8q, the only noticeable
exception is the lowest air vents which are more covered on the 2.8.  no
other vents have been created.

the engine will be an absolute pig to work on.  noticeably lower in the
engine bay with a lot less overhang.  which you would expect compared to the
i5.  there is no, repeat no room to work on the mill.  rear turbo locations
are carefully shielded but disconcertingly close to the firewall.  turbos ar
every small with noticeably more manifold preceeding them.  thermo-couples
here are obvious.  battery is located in the front.

drive day is promised at the track, along with 4 s4's apparently, and
perhaps 30 people.  this looks like it will be next month sometime.  i'll
keep you posted.

dave
'95 rs2
'90 ur-q