Tuesday 24th January 2017

Audi S4 Avant: PH Fleet

A new year and a new fast Audi joins the PH Fleet - can it justify a £50K asking price?

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We're now more than 20 years into Audi A4 history, with the current B9 car the fifth generation of Audi's eponymous compact exec. We're five generations into the S4 also, the original twin-turbo V6 replaced by a V8 for two models, then a supercharged V6 and now a turbo V6 again. Above the S4 has often sat an RS4 too, either as an estate-only icon, the surprising B7 or the less revered B8.

We promise to test out that big boot too

And that's the S4's issue, isn't it? It's not the full Audi Sport range-topper, but neither is it a regular (and much cheaper) A4. On occasion this has made it the pick of the range - Chris Harris was a big fan of the previous generation, for example - but on others it's found itself harder to recommend, struggling to carve out a proper niche for itself. With the next RS4 set to use an evolution of this car's engine too, now is the time for the S4 to establish itself as a proper performance wagon.

The current fast Audi situation augurs well for this car, despite some less appealing offerings in recent memory. Audi has been on a bit of a roll with the S models of late; both the S1 and S3 are great cars. Initial impressions are that it's absolutely on the right track with the S4 too.

Read more: Audi S4 Avant (2017) Review

Firstly, the looks are spot on. Aside from a few too many shiny bits it looks like a regular A4, which is perfect for discreet performance motoring and we love a Q-car here at PH. Unfortunately 'our' car is covered in less-than-subtle Misano Red paint, but we plan to combat that by not cleaning it very often.

Well of course it looks snazzy

Audi appears to have gone after everyday usability as a priority for the S4, leaving the door wide open for a presumably more focused RS4. The new V6 turbo - named EA383, if you're interested - is physically smaller and lighter than the old supercharged EA387, with a host of tech to boost power and torque as well. Headline figures are 354hp and 369lb ft, the latter at just 1,370rpm. That torque peak is evident very early on, making for a car that's incredibly smooth and easygoing with a genuinely impressive turn of speed in any gear and at any engine speed.

Talking of gear selection, the car no longer sports the dual-clutch S-Tronic 'box of the old car. Instead it now comes with an eight-speed torque converter auto, intended to make the car more pleasant for everyday driving; that and the fact that the older dual-clutch unit perhaps couldn't quite handle the increased torque of this new V6. Whether deliberate or a happy coincidence we may never know, but it seems to suit the car well.

As you'd expect from a performance Audi, all four corners are driven courtesy of a Torsen torque sensing four-wheel drive system. Under normal conditions the car has a 40:60 front-rear split but up to 70 per cent of the engine power can now be sent to the front or up to 85 per cent to the rear. A sport differential - which can alter the amount of drive to each rear wheel - is also available as an option, and happily it is one that is fitted to our car.

Predictably swish in here too

The Audi Drive Select system is standard, but its configurability is extended here courtesy of the optional Adaptive 'S' Sport suspension. In theory this will allow us to tailor it to suit the conditions by offering a broad range between the Dynamic and Comfort settings, with many combinations in between thanks to the Individual mode.

In addition to all of this, Audi has created - surprise, surprise - a genuinely superb interior complete with some of the finest seats I've ever had the pleasure of sitting in. Admittedly it is early days but I found them instantly comfortable, and how can you not like a seat that gives you a massage? And whilst you're sitting comfortably you can enjoy the view of the snazzy and seemingly endlessly configurable 'Virtual Cockpit' arrangement first seen in the TT.

All of which adds up to what is, on first impressions at least, a very nice car indeed. Which you most probably expected. But who is it aimed at?

Where's that 340i Touring then?

I've long held the belief that too many people in the UK, and I include myself in this, buy everyday cars that are too 'sporty' for our needs. Whether this is down to us genuinely trying to prioritise the two per cent of the time that you have a chance to actually drive a car dynamically, or if it is just an ego and image thing, I don't know. But what I do know is that it would make far more sense to buy a car that is capable of being comfortable and relaxing 98 per cent of the time, but is still fast and able to deliver just enough driving thrills when you eventually find yourself off the motorway and without family onboard.

Time will tell whether Audi have achieved this with the S4, but we've got six months to find out. First test? Family errands with both Dan and I, to test how practical it is. But there's fun stuff planned too!

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FACT SHEET
Car: 2016 Audi S4 Avant
On fleet since: January 2017
Mileage:
List price new: £44,415 (As tested £49,770 comprising Misano Red paint for £645, Quattro sport with Sport Differential for £1,200, 19-inch diamond cut wheels for £550, Light and Vision pack for £750, Adaptive S Sport suspension with damping control for £900, Audi phonebox with wireless charging for £325 and on the road costs of £985)
Last month at a glance: Wouldn't you know, a new fast Audi makes a good first impression...

[Photos: Chris Teagles]

[crashley]

Fantastic i'm sure as this is, i know i'd be wishing i had the RS4. For that reason i'll have to persevere with Audi's frustrating lack of official guidance! I do wonder if the new RS4 will finally allow a tow-bar though, as you can spec with these.