The new 2010 Audi S4 sedan benefits not only from the new A4’s longer wheelbase and wider track increasing both ride comfort and high speed stability, but the new S4 also benefits from the new 3.0 liter DOHC, FSI direct fuel injected supercharged engine with dual intercoolers. This lighter V6 engine generates 333hp at 6,500-7,000rpm and 325lb.ft. of torque at 2,900-5,300rpm. This smaller lighter engine enables the new S4 to accelerate to 60mph in just 4.9sec. with either the standard 6-speed manual, or the optional 7-speed dual-clutch S-Tronic automatic transmission with paddle shifters on the steering column. To increase acceleration, make quicker gear changes and enhance handling performance you can shift the gated shifter from Drive into Sport.
The new S4 is fun and thrilling to drive, either around slow moving city traffic, on the open road at high speeds or when challenging steep turns on the back roads. In just 0.2sec you can change gears, up or down, to make the most of the new supercharged engine. Just a quick tap and you are on your on your way to excitement and thrills that Audi delivers.
Matching the high-performance engine and transmission is a sport-tuned, fully independent, unique suspension that Audi engineers have developed. It features a 5-link setup with upper and lower wishbones, coil springs, gas-charged dampers and a thick anti-roll bar. The unique rear features a trapezoidal link setup with coil springs, gas-charged dampers, anti-roll bar and a resiliently mounted subframe to keep noise, vibration and harshness to a minimum. The S4 also features Quattro all-wheel drive to enhance stability and now has an optional rear differential that increases stability by controlling the torque distribution between the two rear wheels lessening understeer when tackling very steep curves. These features are controlled by the electronic stability control system which can be shut off when you choose to really get your heart pumping.
The new Drive Select system can be controlled using the Audi MMI system allowing you to dial in comfort, dynamic or auto modes. That is another way that Audi makes the ride suit your current needs or desires. Matching the sport-tuned suspension is Audi’s Servotronic Power Steering system that varies the level of assist according to the vehicle’s speed. It gave me an abundance of feel for the road and was nicely balanced. Just a small tug of the wheel quickly changed my direction over the road. Just like a racecar.
Quickly slowing the new S4 down from speed are large, vented disc brakes. The front vented discs measure 13.6in. and feature 4-piston calipers with Audi’s signature S4 on the cover, while the rear vented discs measure 13in. and feature dual-piston calipers.
These powerful brakes are further enhanced with a Brake Wiper system to keep the discs clean and dry, ABS and EBD. The feel was always linear as the calipers quickly clamped onto the discs. It is a perfect match for the new supercharged engine’s quicker acceleration.
Putting the power down on the pavement are large, 18X8in. five-double spoke alloy wheels wrapped with 245/40ZR18in. high-performance summer tires.
The new Audi S4 is the total package with supercharged power and acceleration, permanent all-wheel drive, a dynamic, sport tuned suspension and very strong, fade-free power-assisted steel disc brakes, all the while increasing its miles per gallon significantly to 18mpg/city and 28mpg/highway. You can have your cake and eat it too!
The interior keeps pace with sporty cues and lots of comfort, luxury, and safety. My fully loaded test S4 came with power adjustable, heated, silk Nappa high-backed sport bucket seats, a racecar inspired cockpit with a 200mph speedometer, an 8,000rpm tachometer, a perfectly placed shifter gate with a leather wrapped ball top, a sporty
3-spoke tilt/telescoping steering wheel that feels great in your hands, a 3-zone climate control system, easy to use center stack with all buttons and dials within easy reach and fully illuminated, thick cut pile carpeting with floor mats, aluminum Audi S4 kick plates, Audi concert AM-FM radio with in-dash CD player (my tester came with the incredible 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen surround sound system), black, soft-to-the-touch dash with lots of aluminum trim and carbon atlas interior inlays on the center console, dashboard and doors, black matching headliner, center console padded armrest with storage bin, locking glove box, dual cupholders, 60/40 split folding rear seats with pull out center storage and dual cupholders, grab handles above each door, self-dimming rearview mirror, intermittent wipers/washers, all express up/down windows and central locking system, electric sunroof, adaptive cruise control, Homelink remote transmitter, Bluetooth hands-free phone interface, iPod integration, dual map lights and vanity mirrors with lamps. The interior has it all for a sporty yet luxury ride.
The new S4 design is true to Audi’s belief in a solid, carved from a solid piece of metal look with S-design front and rear bumpers, front and rear diffusers, S-design grille, S-design rocker moldings that help lower its center of gravity to enhance the bold looks and increase stability, front bi-Xenon adaptive headlamps, white LED daytime running lamps, rear LED lamp clusters and quad exhaust tips. One look and you can agree that this S4 is built to thrill you and to intimidate other drivers that may want to try and outrun you. I enjoyed every section that I was behind the wheel.
Audi is not only known today for its excellent engineering and attention to detail but to its ability to keep you and your passenger’s safe in the event of a collision. The new S4 comes standard front and rear crumple zones, steel beams in each door, driver and front passenger advanced two-stage airbags, driver and front passenger safety belt chimes, driver and front passenger seat mounted side airbags, sideguard curtain airbags front and rear, electrically adjustable heated outside side mirrors, front and rear 3-point safety belts with automatic pretensioning, front belts with force limiters, anti-theft alarm system and ignition immobilizer, lower anchors and tethers for child seats.
The new S4 takes advantage of what Audi has been achieving in only the past ten or so years, bringing to market a vehicle that exemplifies excellent engineering, design, ingenuity, and safety like no other automobile on the road.
The base price for an S4 is just $47,300.00 and my fully loaded tester was priced at just $53,450.00. Let’s go for a ride!
COPYRIGHT:2010:HARVEY SCHWARTZ
SPECIFICATIONS
Price: MSRP $47,300 As-Tested $53,450
Type: Midsize Sedan
Where Built: Germany
EPA Class: Compact Cars
Dimensions
Exterior
Length: 185.2 in.
Width: 71.9 in.
Height: 56.2 in.
Wheel Base: 110.6 in.
Curb Weight: 3924 lbs.
Interior
Front Head Room: 40 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 55.5 in.
Rear Head Room: 37.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 54.3 in.
Luggage Capacity: 12 cu. ft.
Maximum Cargo Capacity: 34 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 5
Performance Data
0-60mph: 4.9 seconds
Base Number of Cylinders: 6
Base Engine Size: 3 liters
Base Engine Type: V6
Horsepower: 333 hp
Max Horsepower: 5500 rpm
Torque: 325 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 2900 rpm
Drive Type: AWD
Turning Circle: 37.4 ft.
Fuel Data
Fuel Tank Capacity: 16.9 gal.
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway/Combined)
Automatic: 18 mpg / 28 mpg / 21 mpg
Range in Miles:
Automatic: 304.2 mi. / 473.2 mi. / 354.9 mi.
