Test drive Audi S4 2005 - 2007 sedan

We meet on clothes

Audi S4 DTM Line Price: $ 113 369 on sale: April 2007
The charged version of the four Audi can now be ordered with the new body kit DTM Line. The rest of the S4 remained the same car. Elements of external and internal tuning of charged serial cars often find use on simpler, civilian machines. But in our case, it turned out the other way around.
The legendary Audi S4 acquired a plastic body kit from a more calm, so to say, A4 DTM Edition. Buyers have a choice. Now you can buy a car with a full -time body kit, which also looks quite good on versions of S. And you can buy a new decoration. The S4 DTM Line includes other bumpers with pseudo -dens on the sides, a carbon skirt on the front bumper and the rear spoiler on the trunk lid of the same material. Layers on the door and thresholds, as well as 18-inch wheels, painted in dark gray, as on DTM races, are installed.
Why did all this migrate to the version of S C C regular A4? It all started with the fact that Audi decided to release a limited batch of A4 in the DTM style. But just making a similar body kit and sticking DTM wool would not be solid. Therefore, a motor and suspension were subjected to refinement. The turbocharged two -liter engine received an additional 20 hp, and the total capacity increased to 220 horses. The standard suspension gave way to a tougher S-line, lowered by 20 mm. Thus, it turned out to be an aggressive, sports car in the DTM style. However, all the good once ends. The limitations of the party and the fact that the DTM Edition package on A4 cost about $ 6,000 did not allow cars to linger in car dealerships for a long time. But I did not want to abandon the DTM design idea in serial cars. As a result, the body kit from the A4 DTM Edition migrated to the already well -prepared S4, changing the name to DTM Line. The new clothing came fit, but the running qualities, in principle, remained the same. But the appearance became fresh. The car looks especially advantageous in bright colors, for example, in bright yellow.
A 4.2 liter motor is able to disperse one and a half -ton car to a hundred in just 5.6 s. The suspension is configured in such a way that overcoming obstacles, both small and not very, is almost silent. At the same time, there are no breaks. To reduce rolls, the elasticity of the suspension has been increased and its course is reduced. For high -speed drives on highways, the setting is optimal. True, jewelry work to preserve the comfort of such a powerful car has minimized the pleasure of a real racing drive.
The incredibly light steering wheel was upset, which practically does not give information to the driver. In addition, with sharp maneuvering, it bites strongly. It must be kept as strong as possible. They do not differ in information and brakes, although it can be besieged at high speed very quickly.
The price of the S4 DTM Line version exceeds $ 100 thousand. Honestly, you expect more equipment for that kind of money. But the brand is a brand. The word Audi is not cheap.
Happy resurrection
The DTM ring races were started in 1984. The first competitions took place on the Belgian highway in the city of Tsolder. The competition overnight has become very popular among Europeans. Before the financial crisis in 1996, after which the racing series ceased to exist, 324 races took place (83 in Germany). Having overcome the difficulties that have arisen, the DTM series was revived in 2000. The main participants in the resurrected races were Mercedes-Benz and Audi. Now the popularity of these competitions is not inferior to the success of the eighties.
Driving
The element of all -wheel drive Audi S4 is soil and snow. Here he will bring real pleasure.
Salon
The salon is too simple. There are enough places with both front and rear passengers.
Comfort
Severe lateral support perfectly fixes the body. At the wheel, the complete sensation of a single whole with the car.
Security
Audi S4 has many security systems, including an emergency braking system Brake Assist.
Price
Very expensive. It is strange that for that kind of money there is no mass of useful things.
Technical characteristics Audi S4 DTM Line
Dimensions, mm 4586/1772/1427
Gasoline engine, V8, 4163 cm3, 344 hp/7000 min-1
Mechanical transmission, 6-speed
Dynamics 0-100 km/h, with 5.6
Maximum speed, km/h 250
Competitors BMW M3, Mercedes-Benz C 55 AMG
Advantages and disadvantages
+ A balanced suspension, a comfortable interior, a capacious trunk, a powerful motor.
An overstated price, incredibly light steering wheel, non -informative brakes.
Our opinion
Audi knows how to make good cars. This time, the designers of the German company tried to introduce sports elements of DTM pain in the serial model. It turned out not bad, but very expensive. Of course, the S4 DTM Line will not become a mass car, but will certainly find its fans.
Text: Maxim Egorov
Photo: Sergey Krestov

A source: Magazine 5 wheel [June 2007]