2014 Audi S4 Top Speed

2014 Audi S4 Top Speed

Skip to ContentSkip to Footer

Audi S4 Avant review

The Audi S4 has been given a facelift - the driving experience stays as before, but economy has been boosted and CO2 emissions have fallen

What is it?

The estate version of the newly freshened Audi S4, driven here in the UK for the first time. Power comes from the supercharged 3-litre V6 that knocks out 328bhp and delivers a claimed 0-62mph time of 5.1 seconds.

Technical highlights?

The engine is pretty much exactly the same unit that's been fitted to the S4 since it switched from V8 power back in 2008. Power is unchanged but there are gains in fuel economy and fewer emissions, with the car now claimed to be capable of delivering 33.6 mpg on the standard EU test when working with the now-standard seven-speed twin-clutch transmission – nearly 5mpg better than before.

Suspension tweaks have been limited to new dampers chosen to give a more comfortable ride, and the 'Drive Select' controller now also comes with an 'Efficiency' mode which knocks back throttle response to boost economy.

How does it drive?

As always, the S4 is a brutally effective way of covering ground quickly and painlessly. The 3-litre V6 is a mighty engine, delivering solid urge throughout the rev range and with a pleasingly hard-edged exhaust note cutting in at higher rpm. Despite that, it's supremely relaxed when asked to cruise at more normal speeds – an 80mph motorway schlep sees the engine turning barely 2000 times a minute in top gear.

More reviews

Backroad pace is similarly impressive: the S4 grips, sticks and goes pretty much where pointed at anything other than ludicrous velocities. What it doesn't do is draw you deep into the driving experience. There's little feedback and – as with other members of the A4 clan – the steering suffers from a strangely artificial weight that makes it difficult to invest full trust in it. At higher speeds, reaching the edge of adhesion results in understeer – at lower velocities the combination of the engine's urge and the quattro system's rear-biased torque split means it can be persuaded into brief bursts of power oversteer; although this isn't a state the car shows any enthusiasm for.

How does it compare?

We'll have to wait for the arrival of the BMW 335i Touring to find an obvious rival to the S4 Avant. That said, the S4's combination of pace, usability and reasonable running costs means that the forthcoming RS4 Avant will have its work cut out justifying the sizeable supplement Audi will charge for it.

Anything else I should know?

Like the rest of the A4 range, the facelifted S4 is distinguished by new-look headlights, and it also gets some more silver in its radiator grille.

The twin-clutch box works well in both auto and manual modes, but it still struggles to keep up when asked to skip ratios on manual downshifts.

We managed 24.5mpg in rapid, everyday use.

Specifications

Engine 2995cc V6, supercharged, petrol
Max power 328bhp @ 5500rpm
Max torque 324lb ft @ 2900rpm
0-60 5.1 secs (claimed 0-62mph)
Top speed 155mph (electronically limited)
On sale Now

Most Popular

Aston Martin V12 Vantage officially coming in 2022

V12 Vantage teaser

Aston Martin Vantage

Aston Martin V12 Vantage officially coming in 2022

Aston Martin's dreamy small body/big engine combo is back, a new V12 Vantage is coming next year

1 Dec 2021

Used car deals of the week

Used car deals main

used cars

Used car deals of the week

Here's what caught evo's fancy this week on the second hand car market

2 Dec 2021

Audi RS3 2021 review - Audi Sport set to take on AMG's A45S

Audi RS3 review 2021

Audi RS3

Audi RS3 2021 review - Audi Sport set to take on AMG's A45S

Audi's new RS3 hyper hatch finally gets the technology to take on AMG's range-topper

22 Nov 2021

Skip to HeaderSkip to Content

2014 Audi S4 Top Speed

Source: https://www.evo.co.uk/audi/s4/7123/audi-s4-avant-review

Share:

Tidak ada komentar:

Posting Komentar

banner