Test drive Audi S4: Dialogue with the devil

Wide Moscow highways, a million standard-sized streets, and a billion narrow passages on a weekday resemble more the 7 circles of hell than public roads. The reason is a host of reasons that have already become a cliché, with habitual constancy provoking traffic jams. All cars in this nervous movement are not moving from point A to point B, but rather, atoning for punishment for some transgressions.

And only one person in this traffic feels at ease, he sold his soul, receiving in return unprecedented power, and his name from now on is the owner of an Audi S4.

Excellent camouflage as a civilian A4, the restless nature is revealed only by the radiator grille, bumper, mirrors, and wheels.

To say that I was looking forward to meeting this "devilish" racing car is to say nothing. On the appointed morning, having properly dressed for the meeting with the "S" – and that means at least comfortable shoes, preferably sports – I set off to the meeting place.

Along the way, cursing the lousy weather, slowly but surely covering all the roads of the metropolis with snowflakes, I warmed myself only with the burning memories of the previous generation S4 – with all its inherent shortcomings at that time, but with a huge charge of vigor and, in a good sense, madness. The excitement was also heightened by recent acquaintances with other "Audi" models marked with the letter S and RS.

Finally I am at the place, and she is too. I look at her, and she pretends not to notice anything. The deep black color beckons like a magnet, otherworldly beautiful 19-inch wheel rims, shod with low-profile tires 255/35, visually seem to glue the car to the road. The front bumper with sharp aerodynamic wings and the rear bumper with a pronounced diffuser, edged with aluminum, hiding in its depths 4 exhaust pipes – all this looks impressive and quite striking.

Great view from the rear too, nothing superfluous, laconic accents on sportiness.

And still I made the first step, pulled the handle – and she, oh gods, condescended, winking at me with lights.

The interior in S trim is a donor organ from the civilian version, generously seasoned with hot pepper. Comfortable and effective seats in combined red-black color with actively developed lateral support and integrated headrests, on which there is a molded leather imprint of S4, will not let the driver and passengers get tired even on the longest distances. Scatterings of aluminum trim elements and a sporty steering wheel with red stitching and the already familiar letter S at the bottom – that is, perhaps, all that emphasizes the restless nature of the car.

Overall, the base interior for the A4, but with small additions. Still just as comfortable and pleasant.

The key into the special slot, and the bright red needles from the zero position make a lap of honor around the dials. The tempter has already prepared all the documents and elegantly offers a pen to sign the magical contract. A stroke on the paper, and the driver's soul no longer belongs to him. But, pressing the gas pedal closer to the floor, he forgets about everything, rushing along the adrenaline river far beyond the horizon.

Involuntarily drawing an analogy with the previous generation S4, you never cease to be amazed at the qualitatively new sensations of dynamics. Although the current engine, in addition to losing in displacement from 4.2 liters to 3.0, lost 12 horsepower along the way, it only gained in dynamic disciplines: if you believe the official data, the new "S" reaches a hundred faster than in 5.1 seconds – that's half a second less than the previous generation. And if you judge by sensations, then even faster. I assume that when accelerating to a hundred, it easily gets out of five seconds.

The reason for everything is an innovative power unit V6 with a volume of 3.0 liters with a Roots supercharger installed directly in the V of the cylinder block.

And how did people live without LED optics? :) Excellent informativeness will more than once save the rear bumper from pensive onlookers.

This fiery engine is capable of developing a symbolic 333 horsepower and 440 Nm of torque in a wide range from 2200 to 5900 rpm, which in tandem with the 7-speed automatic transmission S tronic, equipped with two unequal clutches, provides confident dynamics without loss of power and any noticeable dips when gaining speed.

The needles hanging at the zero mark move across the dials of an uncharacteristic gray color. The clarity of readings is more than sufficient.

Having quite seriously reduced the displacement of the new unit, alas, it was not possible to reduce its weight just as effectively. Compared to the huge atmospheric "eight" installed previously, the new engine is lighter by only 16 kg. But the "Audi" engineers would not be themselves if they did not benefit from such a transformation. And it consists in the fact that the new power plant has become significantly more compact, which allows it to be integrated into the car body much closer to the center, while seriously unloading the front axle, which definitely had a positive effect on the car's handling.

And about the handling of this car, one can talk for hours, at the moment it has come as close as possible to ideal for operating a car by ordinary people who do not have many regalia in motorsport.

To the above-mentioned factor of unloading the front axle, add the torque distribution ratio of 60 rear – 40 front and an active rear differential, capable, if necessary, of a maneuver, of transferring most of the torque to the outer wheel, thereby literally turning the rear of the car into the corner. The already excellent handling of "Audi" cars has become more confident, brighter, and safer.

The drive select vehicle setup system deserves special attention, performing the function of both quickly switching operating modes: gearbox, accelerator pedal, steering and shock absorber stiffness, and individually adjusting each of the components at the owner's discretion. True, the mode selector buttons are located in not the most convenient place, right under the climate control and clearly behind the gear shift lever, which makes access to this function quite difficult. But the switching algorithm itself and, most importantly, the difference between modes evokes genuine delight. If in Comfort mode driving the S4 can easily be mistaken for driving one of the civilian A4 modifications, then in Auto mode with intensive accelerator pedal operation the car transforms, slightly showing its teeth. But there is also a third mode, Dynamic – all the boundless potential, carefully packed into the body of a D-class sedan.

The ground clearance is small even with special preparation for Russian roads. You need to be extremely careful when crossing various obstacles.

On a bright sunny day and in deep dark night, the S4 is ready to terrify all surrounding vehicles, plunging them into a hypnotic sleep with its smooth lines and demonic exhaust sound, maneuvering between them like between static figures on a chessboard.

If you are ready for such a deal with the lord of power, then this car is definitely your choice!

Dmitry Malygin