Before the 420-hp Audi RS4 arrived in the U.S., the Audi S4 stood at the top of the Audi A4 lineup -- a good place to be as the A4 remains Audi's best-seller in the States by far. The current Audi S4 continues the model's tradition of combining all-wheel drive and a high-performance powerplant in a practical package.
The 2008 Audi S4's swift moves are made possible by its 4.2L V-8 good for 340 hp and 302 lb-ft of torque. Hooked up to a six-speed manual transmission, it will only take 5.3 sec to scoot from 0-to-60 mph. A six-speed Tiptronic automatic also is available, but regardless of what transmission you choose, the S4's specially tuned exhaust will make sure the driver of the Audi A4 2.0T knows something special is under your hood.
Of course, Audi's quattro all-wheel drive is standard on the S4. The system sends engine power to the wheels with the most traction. Six-speed manual S4's come with Audi's latest differential and an asymmetrical torque split of 40/60 front/rear compared with the Tiptronic S4's 50/50 torque split.
The Audi A4 and S4 have a four-link suspension and self-tracking trapezoidal-link rear suspension. When considered with the new shock absorber settings, Audi says the suspension is particularly sensitive to steering movements and, especially with AWD, is isolated from front-drive influences. The S4 departs from its A4 brethren with the sport suspension setting, which stiffens shocks and springs, lowers the car 30 mm, and adds stronger stabilizer bars in the front and rear.
Even if you order an Audi S4 in Brilliant Red, the aesthetic changes distinguishing it from A4s are subtle. Eighteen-inch seven-spoke wheels may not be as eye-catching as the last-generation S4 six-spoke wheels, but are attractive nonetheless. Aluminum-look side mirrors add to the package while an integrated trunk spoiler and quad exhaust pipes make the S4 look as muscular as its V-8 sounds.
If you're hoping for a bolder look, Audi's exterior sport package might do the trick. The package upgrades the S4 with DTM-inspired front and rear bumpers, carbon-fiber front lip and rear trunklid spoilers as well as a diffuser and side scoops integrated into the rear bumper.
The interior of the S4 is set apart from the A4 with carbon-fiber trim replacing the available wood or aluminum-look trim, aluminum pedals, and available Recaro sport seats. The 2008 Audi S4 may not be as hard-core a driving machine as the Audi RS4, but it still strikes a fine balance between sport and luxury. With 2008 being the last model year of this generation A4/S4 body style, and with Audi confirming the next S4 will sport a supercharged V-6, this may be your last chance to get a reasonably sized Audi V-8 performance car without having to spend $18,300 on top of the S4's $48,610 MSRP for an RS4.
