Audi S4 test drive since 2008 sedan

Origami art

To understand how the Audi A4 differs from the car with the S4 index, it is best to turn to the ancient Japanese art of folding paper figures. We take an ordinary A4 sheet and try to throw it away. Most likely, we will not succeed - a piece of paper, having made a break, will fall at our feet. Now we take the same A4 and fold the airplane out of it. There are every chance that he will fly quickly and far, far. Like Audi S4.
True, if you look at the car outside, then you can not notice any forwarding folds at all. Our hero differs little from an ordinary four. In front-a platinum-gray lattice with a S4 logo. On the side - overlays on the thresholds that visually make the car slightly wider. Wheels with 18-inch S-design discs, like a curtain, are hidden behind special mudguards. Giant brake calipers, painted black, shine through the wheeled knitting needles- go see. Behind-a slightly different bumper, from which four exhaust endings are dimly shining, and a small spoiler on the lid of the trunk. In the cabin, everything is black, black, and therefore, through the glass, you can not see sports seats with pronounced lateral support, decorative inserts from matte aluminum dietary dials with white arrows. The true essence of the changes is hidden even deeper.
First of all, it is an engine. Absolutely new ... V6. We put this outfit for a reason - on the Audi S4 of the previous generation, as well as the Audi S5 compartment, to which we have not really used to get used to, under the hoods - eight -cylinder power units with a working volume of 4.2 liters. And here is a three -liter six, and even 11 liters. With. weaker. A crisis? Green? Fortunately, neither one nor the other. Just a large German three has long come to the conclusion that there is already nowhere to increase the power of their sports sedans. Well, why the car is a potential speed of 330 km/h, if the electronic strangle still strangles its agility at 250 km/h? And not to all customers, it is important that, with intensive pressing on the gas pedal, the recently swallowed sandwich sticks to the spine. Therefore, the struggle now it is not so much for speed and acceleration as for achieving the same indicators, but with less means. Due to weight loss, due to cunning structural solutions, magical electronics. In Mercedes-Benz, this is called BlueEfficency, BMW has a similar program named after Efficientdynamics. Of course, Audi is not behind.
Yes, there are fewer horsepower, but the torque jumped as much as 30 nm, and it is available almost from the moment the engine starts. Acceleration to hundreds - enviable 5.1 s. Acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h - 4.4 s. Such outstanding indicators became possible thanks to the same Audi philosophy - a decrease in the dimensions of the power plant by compensating for the working volume of the boost system. Only unlike the closest competitors, and the traditions of the Ingolstadt company itself, familiar to us for the past two decades, additional air into the cylinders here is not blowing a turbine, but a mechanical compressor. Comparative studies have shown that for the V6 such a solution in combination with direct injection is much more effective than Biturbo. The compressor is connected to the belt gear engine, so it provides complete power already at idle. And areas of moving the working mixture behind the compressor are so small that the torque is developing extremely quickly, without any turbo. Its maximum value - 440 nm - is available in a very wide range - from 2900 to 5300 rpm. Needless to say, the reduction in the cubacy of the combustion chamber has positively affected the appetite of the motor-the average fuel consumption of the new S4 by a quarter less than the predecessor model.
Such an outstanding power unit by default is equipped with a six -speed manual box, which, if the driver wants to be lazy, can work almost like an automatic machine: he turned on the fifth gear and, in principle, you can at least weave, at least rush - there will always be enough traction under the pedal. As an option on the Audi S4, the S Tronic box is offered. Here you can move as in a fully automatic mode, which has a regular and sports program, D and S, respectively. And you can play petals behind the steering wheel and throw the gears manually. Only this, most likely, will get tired very quickly - after all, there are seven programs here, so you will have to sort it out very often. However, the main advantage of s tronic is just not an opportunity to switch yourself, but happiness to watch how exactly and quickly the box itself does it. Agree, it would be a shame if such a responsive engine worked for a couple with a regular leisurely automatic. But here we have a double clutch, and therefore the flow of power is practically not interrupted. If you slightly press on the gas, then the moment of switching can not be noticed - as if the unaccounted variator is working. But if you open the accelerator completely, the coordinated work of the pair of the motor can be heard, and see, and feel: the tachometer arrow jumps to 7000 rpm, the excesses are heard, the car literally jumps forward.
Actually, all other constructive delusions of Audi S4 to the art of origami have little relation, because they are also found on ordinary A4. Although, if you think about it, in the context of 333 horsepower they acquire a much more important meaning. For example, the same constant all -wheel drive QUATTRO with a light accent on the rear axle. Imagine: winter is in the yard, and your car can accelerate to 250 km/h. Or Audi Drive Select, which premiered the last generation A4. Choose, according to personal preferences, the characteristics of the engine, box, steering, pendants and sports differential are probably pleasant on any car. But in ESKA it is simply necessary. Otherwise, why did thousands of specialists put A4-pile up to get S4 from it.

Audi S4
The engine volume is 2995 cubic meters. cm
Power 333 l. With.
Permanent Complete Quattro drive
The mechanical box is 6-speed
Maximum speed 250 km/h (limited by electronics)
Acceleration to 100 km/h (c) 5.1
Fuel consumption in a mixed cycle of 9.7 l/100 km
The price is not determined

Text: Anna Kilimnik
Photo: Audi AG
 

Source: "Autopilot"