New Audi S4 is a driver's treat

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What is it?

The S4 is the current performance flagship of the A4 range. Only for a short time though, as an RS4 - which Audi is still officially denying will happen - will take its place in the line up to fight BMW's M3 and the Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG. The S4 competes against bigger engined models of the C-Class and 3 Series, cars like the C 350 Sport and 335i M Sport. Like them it's a six-cylinder, Audi binning the large 4.2-litre V8 engine of the previous S4 in the quest for improved fuel consumption and emissions. To ensure it's got the pace and power to better its predecessor the 3.0-litre V6 is supercharged, which gives the S4 328bhp. That's actually less than the old car, but the new S4 is quicker to 62mph by almost half a second with a time of just 5.1 seconds.

Is it any good?

Fast Audis have a habit of promising so much but not delivering. The S4 is different. It's one of only a tiny number of recent Audis that can genuinely be hailed as an enjoyable driver's car. To ensure it's the measure of its competition though you'll need to add around £2,000 to the S4's circa £36,000 price tag - the extra paying for Audi's Drive Select system that incorporates a sports active differential. It's key to the way the S4 drives, apportioning power to the outside rear wheel in a corner and making the four-wheel drive S4 feel like it's rear driven. On a wet track with the stability and traction control systems switched off the S4 can be driven like its rear-wheel drive rivals. Do so and the S4 reveals a beautifully balanced chassis that's supremely benign on breakaway and very controllable to slide.

It is unlikely Audi's customers are ever likely to drive their S4s in such a manner, but it reveals a depth of ability to the S4 that makes it a hugely entertaining car to drive. On the road with all the electronic systems turned on it grips hard, turns quickly and rides with real composure. The engine might be lacking a few cylinders over its predecessor but it's certainly not slow, the linear power delivery and free-revving nature allied to the sonorous engine note making it very enjoyable indeed. Audi offers the S4 with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed twin-clutch automatic. The auto is actually more economical than the manual, though clever as the auto is the manual is a sweet shifter and allows you to engage more with the S4's abilities.

Should I call the bank manager?

The bank manager probably doesn't have any money to lend you at the moment so perhaps you should check under your mattress. Figure on around £38-40,000 for the S4 with the trick differential and a few other choice options. It's offered as a saloon or an Avant (estate). We'd have the Avant for the ultimate stealth fast car. Owners upgrading from the old S4 will welcome the improvements Audi has made in the economy and emissions stakes - the S4 returns 29.1mpg and 225g/km in manual guise and 30.1mpg and 219g/km with that seven-speed S tronic transmission. That's a quite phenomenal improvement over its predecessor of 30% in fuel economy and 37% for emissions.

Summary

Fast Audis have always appealed for their understated looks and pace but so often have failed to involve the driver like rivals do. The new car changes that; the S4's new found poise and balance allows the four-ringed brand to take the fight directly to its German rivals.

Kyle Fortune