There is a healthy rivalry going on between midsize performance sedans. It started years ago with BMW, Audi and Mercedes but has grown to include some really outstanding competition from the likes of Lexus, Volvo, Infiniti and even Lincoln and Cadillac. As each manufacturer releases their latest and greatest, the cars that were once at the top of the list quickly find themselves slipping down the ranks. This was the case with the last generation S4, which was resting on a five-year old platform and beginning to show its age. For 2004, the S4 is all-new from the ground up and again stands ready to jockey for the number one position.
Where the last S4 employed a twin-turbocharged V6, the new S4 ups the ante by coming to the field with a big, beefy 4.2-liter V8 that churns out 340 unruly horses. The deep burbling rumble emitted by the Audi V8 is enough to make you giddy with anticipation of what is inevitably about to come next. Push the accelerator to the floor, wrap your hands tightly around the wheel and hold on for dear life because the S4 moves from 0-60 with such force that you'll feel your stomach take up permanent residence in your throat. As good as it was, the old twin-turbo S4 never moved like this. You can stir your own gears via a smooth six-speed manual tranny or use the steering-wheel mounted shift paddles that come with the optional Sportronic automatic; either way, it's always a hands-on adventure when driving the S4.
All that V8 goodness is teamed to an equally worthy suspension and drivetrain. The now legendary Audi all-wheel-drive Quattro system is exactly the ticket when it comes to distributing the kind of animalistic power the V8 produces. On any other front or rear-wheel drive car, an engine this powerful would be in danger of overpowering the car's maneuvering ability, causing it to either plow and hop or, as in the case of a rear drive car, oversteer and step out. But with the S4, the four wheels seem to work in complete conjunction with the V8, never letting loose of the pavement and always ensuring a smooth transition of torque to turning wheels. You won't feel any of the S4's traction and stability controls interfering with your playtime, though they are always there and standing by. In the S4, you just feel completely grounded, as though the car were literally an extension of your own two legs.
The S4 does pay a price for its vice-like road holding ability and you'll discover it the first time you cross over an expansion joint. There is no A4-like smooth ride here; even the slightest bumps and dips are translated as abrupt jolts. There is nothing subtle about the tight shock and spring setup of the S4, but it's a small tradeoff when compared to the performance abilities this little sedan now possesses.
The exterior of the S4 shares much of its body with the current A4, though Audi has added a few add- ons to distinguish one from the other. We think you'll probably agree that the new front end and 18-inch alloy wheels are a definite thumbs-up, though we think the jury is still out on the chrome side-view mirrors and black door guards (one tester commented they looked like unpainted replacement parts).
The interior of the S4 is typically Audi sensational, which is to say it embodies sophisticated styling matched to perfectly fitted trim, tastefully covered soft touch material and is highlighted by Audi's wonderful glowing red instrumentation. On the S4, a special set of front and rear seats have been designed by Recaro. The seats are covered in soft leather and offer an optional set of colored Alcantra inserts that add a nice bright touch. You'll find the seats to be a bit snug, as is the driving position, due to the wide center console and transmission tunnel. Rear seat legroom is next to nil when the front seats are fully extended, but this car is not about family transportation, it's about self-indulgent thrill seeking. To this end, the S4 pampers its occupants as much as an Audi can, with such standard features as 12-way power adjustable seats, 10-speaker sound system, power windows and door locks, power sunroof, cruise control, automatic climate control and the list goes on and on. A GPS on-board navigation unit is optional as is a 215-watt Bose audio unit, rear side airbags and Audi telematics and a Motorola hands free phone hook up.
After a long run in the S4, one of our test driver's noted that he now understood what a cheetah must feel like during the height of the chase; to that we'd add that many of the S4's competitors will unfortunately now know what it feels like to be the prey.
