Test Drive Audi S4 since 2008 Sedan

We meet by clothes

Audi S4 DTM Line Price: $ 113 369 Sales: April 2007
The charged version of the Four Audi can now be ordered with a new DTM Line body kit. The rest of the S4 remained the same car. Elements of external and internal tuning of charged serial cars are often used to use on simpler, civilian cars. But in our case it turned out.
The legendary Audi S4 acquired a plastic body kit from more relaxed, if so can be said, A4 DTM Edition. Buyers have a choice. Now you can buy a car with a staff body kit, which also looks very good on versions of S. and you can buy a new scenery. In S4 DTM Line includes other bumpers with pseudodiflectors on the sides, carbon skirt on the front bumper and the rear spoiler on the trunk lid from the same material. The lining on the doors and thresholds, as well as 18-inch wheels, painted in a dark gray, as on battle cars of DTM racing.
Why did all this move on the version s C ordinary A4? It all started with the fact that Audi decided to release a limited A4 batch in the DTM style. But just to make a similar body kit and sticking the names DTM would not be solid. Therefore, the engine and suspension have been refined. The turbocharged two-liter engine received an additional 20 hp, and the total power rose to 220 horses. The standard suspension gave way to a tougher sports S-Line lowered by 20 mm. Thus, it turned out an aggressive, sports car in DTM style. However, everything is good ever ends. The limitations of the party and the fact that the DTM Edition package on the A4 cost about $ 6,000, did not allow cars for a long time in the car dealerships. But I did not want to give up the idea of \u200b\u200bDTM design in serial cars. As a result of the body kit with A4 DTM Edition, the S4 has already moved to the already well-prepared S4, replacing the name on DTM Line. New clothes came to fit, but the driving qualities, in principle, remained the same. But the appearance became fresh. Especially winning the car looks in bright colors, for example, in bright yellow.
Motor of 4.2 liters can accelerate a semi-chassity car until hundreds of only 5.6 s. The suspension is configured in such a way that overcoming obstacles, both small and not very, occurs almost silently. In this case, there are no tributes. To reduce rolls, the elasticity of the suspension is increased and its stroke is reduced. For high-speed motor trips, the optimal setup. True, jewelry work on preserving the comfort of such a powerful car has minimized the pleasure of a real racing drive.
Satisfied an incredibly lightweight steering wheel, which practically does not give information to the driver. In addition, with a sharp maneuvering, he is very boning. It should be kept as hard as possible. No informativeness and brakes are not different, although it is possible to settle S4 with high speeds very quickly.
The price of the S4 DTM Line version exceeds $ 100 thousand. Honestly, for the money you expect more equipment. But the brand is a brand. The word Audi does not cost cheap.
Happy resurrection
About DTM ring races spoke in 1984. The first contests took place in the Belgian highway in the city of Zolder. Competition overnight has become very popular among Europeans. Prior to the financial crisis in 1996, after which the racing series ceased to exist, 324 races took place (83 in Germany). Overcoming the difficulties arising, the DTM series has been revived in 2000. Mercedes-Benz and Audi became the main participants of the resurrected races. Now the popularity of these competitions is not inferior to the success of the eighties.
Driving
Element of all-wheel drive Audi S4 soil and snow. Here he will deliver the present pleasure.
Salon
The salon is too simple. Places with prosperity enough and front, and rear passengers.
Comfort
Pronounced side support perfectly fixes the body. Driving a complete sense of the whole with the machine.
Security
Audi S4 has a multitude of security systems, including Brake Assist's emergency braking system.
Price
Very expensive. It is strange that for such money there is no mass of useful things.
Specifications Audi S4 DTM Line
Dimensions, mm 4586/1772/1427
Engine gasoline, V8, 4163 cm3, 344 hp / 7000 min-1
Mechanical transmission, 6-speed
Dynamics 0-100 km / h, from 5.6
Maximum speed, km / h 250
BMW M3, Mercedes-Benz C 55 AMG Competitors
Advantages and disadvantages
+ Balanced suspension, comfortable interior, spacious trunk, powerful motor.
Illuminated price, incredibly lightweight steering wheel, non-informative brakes.
Our opinion
Audi knows how to do good cars. This time designers of the German company tried to introduce sports elements of DTM cars into the serial model. It turned out well, but very expensive. Of course, S4 DTM Line will not become a mass car, but will definitely find its fans.
Text: Maxim Egorov
Photo: Sergey Crostes

A source: Journal 5 Wheel [June 2007]