Driver Review
I have driven a few Audis in the past, small and fast, or bigger and slower. There was the original S3 - a chipped 250-bhp version which was quite an intense driving experience as the turbo hissed menacingly; an A3 3.2 V6 which had a great soundtrack and loads of torque for a little runaround car, the new 2-litre S3 with its slightly weedy bottom end but incredible acceleration and great handling once you found the turbo. And all that time we had an 1998 A4 1.8 turbo as our always-faithful family car, which kept going really well during many trips up to Scotland. None of these could be classed as supercars - except one other - the RS4. I spent a track day with Audi driving the RS4 around Silverstone - half a Grand Prix’s worth of laps - which was a brilliant car, but one I couldn’t really justify owning as a family car with its 4.2 litre gas-guzzling engine and bit-too-aggressive-for-family performance.
My regret was not having a car that had the family-sized spaciousness of the A4 and the performance of the S3, particularly when out on the open road in Scotland! But then along came the new S4, which basically ticked all the boxes - enough room for the family, slightly economical 3 litre engine, but supercharged to give it a very respectable 328 bhp and lots of non-turbo-lag torque, coupled with a very clever active suspension system and a rocket-science sports differential designed to do the opposite of typical traction control - deliver MORE power to the appropriate wheels rather than cutting power to avoid a skid.
It may not look like a supercar, but it has a lot of hints that this is something quite special. The shark-fin-style diffuser beneath the front grille, the 19” RS4 alloy wheels revealing meaty front discs (and brake ducts on a family car!), the quad exhaust pipes, and the superb interior - gorgeous matt black leather sports seats front and back, carbon fibre inlays in the dash, doors and centre console, great-feel steering wheel, sports gear lever, great sat-nav/media system with beefy audio system.
And the drive is … well actually … just about perfect. Pull away and you think “smooth and effortless”, but stick it into “dynamic” mode and all of a sudden you have a sports car - stiffer suspension, altered steering feel, more sporty traction settings and increased throttle response, without it becoming an uncomfortable ride for the passengers. We’re still running in this car so haven’t really pushed it yet - but so far it has demonstrated masses of torque, pretty rapid acceleration and astonishing handling for a family car. Really really impressive! It doesn’t have the excitement of a traditional supercar, but also doesn’t have the fear that accompanies driving one of those - so actually strikes the perfect balance.
Paul Williams
DRIVER RATINGS: Exterior: 8/10 Interior: 9/10 Cool Factor: 7/10 Driveability: 9/10 Fear Factor: 2/10 TOTAL: 31 (Fear Factor Scores are subtracted)
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Passenger Review
This is a fantastic car. Audi’s latest version of the A4 with a supercharged V6. The car looks aggressive with its shark fins below the grill and gives it a very sporty look. But it still has the hideous Audi grille. The interior is extremely comfortable. The leather, racing style seats hold you in as you corner in “Dynamic” mode which stiffens the suspension and make’s it feel like a supercar. The engine is very good and provides a deep, growling soundtrack so it has all the qualities of a great supercar. In summary, I feel this is a truly practical supercar!
Ryan Williams
PASSENGER RATINGS: Exterior: 6/10 Interior: 8/10 Cool Factor: 7/10 Passenger Experience: 8/10 Fear Factor: 2/10 TOTAL: 27 (Fear Factor Scores are subtracted)
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