B8 on short term loan...

[tartan_rob]

Hate the looks, I really do, but I reckon the Saloon looks slightly better.

The power was not bad I thought but the car feels much quicker than it is. I nail it in 2nd and pull 3rd as approaching the red line a few seconds in 3rd and look at the speedo, it saying 65/70mph, but it feels as fast as the RS6(albeit no turbo kick). However, if doing the same in the '6, I'd have been getting on for 100mph and all of a sudden I realise the car ain't nowhere near as fast as it feels. Having said all that, isn't that a good thing?

Comfort is good and the handling good also. Interior build is good but I can't decide if I like the layout. The A6 is better somehow.

I fear she is going to be very thirsty and the SC whine I like, but I also enjoy the turbo spool up noise.

All in all, I think it may be a good choice for me next if I can live with a smallish interior. The wife is buying a Touareg. Do I need another big car?

A remap and 500bhp mods brings it right where it should be.

[Pete.S]

Interesting.

I picked one up a couple of weeks back. The first time I drove her properly, I couldn't believe the speedo (as in, thought I was doing 70 but was far faster). Maybe it's because you're coming from the '6 but compared to the B6 S4 the feeling of true speed is even more deceptive because of the improved ride quality/reduced wind & road noise etc.

I've also yet to hear any whine at all from the s/c, and that's trying with windows down too, so I'm not sure what you mean there!

Looks-wise, I was initially disappointed when it first started appearing on the 'net & in the press, but in the flesh I honestly think it's a cracking looking motor, still very subtle and fits the 'S' mould prefectly.

The only let down is the frugality, or rather lack of. Audi I'm sure advertised over 30 mpg combined for the S-tronic, I've done a couple of thousand miles including several long 70mph crusies and the average is sitting around 24!

[Scotty]

My 2.0T is currently running at 24mpg so for an S4 it's not too bad. It's a 33% increase on the old S4.

[no_RS]

I think the comments show the new S4 is more muted than previous versions and is really starting to detract from any enjoyment that is expected, this sort of car should make you smile everytime you drive it and really doesn't sound as if it does. The impression of feeling faster than reality is not how previous cars feel and unless you are more worried about getting a ticket I would not consider this an attractive feature.

Personally the new S4 doesn't fly my flag at all and is quite dissapointing and won't be on the list when my current S4 is changed.

[Pete.S]

I think the comments show the new S4 is more muted than previous versions and is really starting to detract from any enjoyment that is expected, this sort of car should make you smile everytime you drive it and really doesn't sound as if it does. The impression of feeling faster than reality is not how previous cars feel and unless you are more worried about getting a ticket I would not consider this an attractive feature.

Personally the new S4 doesn't fly my flag at all and is quite dissapointing and won't be on the list when my current S4 is changed.

You need to test drive one. It does what the previous version(s) did but betters them in every department, as all press reviewers so far have summarized, other than if a V8 soundtrack is a must have. Saying that, it's actually not a more muted drive, because with the reduction in wind & road noise the engine sound is more audible in the cabin when you're gunning it. Mated with the S-tronic 'box the B8 also brings back that back-into-your-seat feeling under acceleration from the B5 that I thought the B6 lacked somewhat. Combined with the improved handling aided by the new sport diff, driving enjoyment is certainly not an aspect I'd ever suggest is missing from this version.