Audi is apparently on a mission to make the S4 as unassuming as possible at Frankfurt. Not content with an appearance very easily mistaken for an S Line 2.0 TDI, it's also been launched alongside the
S8 Plus
. The bigger, faster S saloon. There's every danger the Audi staff may not know what it is.
In silver with small wheels noone will know
But the stealth factor has always made Audi S cars more appealing. Not always the best handling cars - though the S1 and S3 have bucked that trend somewhat - they offered huge speed in a very discreet body. The perfect Q car in other words.
This latest S4 promises more of the same. The "newly developed" 3.0-litre turbo V6 makes 354hp and 369lb ft, sufficient for a 4.7-second 0-62mph dash before reaching the limited 155mph. The sole transmission option is an eight-speed auto, no doubt contributing to some very respectable efficiency figures of 170g/km and 38.2mpg. 40mpg on the way to the track day then?
That's not such a daft idea either, certainly if Audi's claims on the S4's handling are true. The normal quattro torque split is 40:60 front to rear, with up to 70 per cent of torque able to reach the front and 85 per cent on offer to the rear. There is wheel selective torque control, inside wheel braking that apes torque vectoring and an optional sport differential; Audi claims these all make the handling "more precise, agile and stable" with the ability to impress "whether on a racetrack or mountain pass." One to test on the first drive hopefully...
Dynamic Steering only optional. Phew
As standard the S4 is fitted with Audi sport suspension, 23mm lower than a
regular A4
. Active dampers are optionally available, their parameters adjustable with the engine, steering, gearbox and diff under the Audi Drive Select. Because what's a fast car today without limitless configurability?
Elsewhere it's familiar Audi S tinkering. Naturally the mirrors are silver and the identifying badges very small, the grille slightly tweaked and the seats sportier. It all looks as pleasant as Audis always do, the modest visuals of Audi S cars thankfully maintained.
Also familiar - and very welcome - is the presence of an S4 and S4 Avant model. The important numbers for the wagon are 505 litres with the seats up, 1,510 with them down and a 45kg weight penalty over the saloon at 1,675kg.
Business as usual for the Audi S4 then and, actually, that may not be a bad thing at all. It will go on sale "from 2016", hopefully just in time for a twin test with the sub-AMG Mercedes C450 Sport. More details on pricing and some show pics as soon as they're available.
