2008 Audi S4 Performance Review

• Overall
• Performance
• Exterior
• Interior
• Safety
• Reliability
• Specs
• Photo Gallery

Performance - What the Auto Press Says

Most reviewers agree that the S4's performance dynamics are superb. "The 2008 Audi S4's levels of acceleration, handling and braking are simply far beyond most drivers' previous automotive experiences. Even those with considerable time in very high-performance cars will likely be seriously impressed," says Kelley Blue Book.

Acceleration and Power

The 2008 Audi S4 is powered by a 4.2-liter V8 engine that makes 340 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 302 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm -- which Kelley Blue Book describes as "a masterful piece of engineering." They continue: "It has all the power of a muscle-car era V8 without a rude idle and course acoustics. Under normal driving conditions the S4's engine sounds correctly polite-the major indication of its eight-cylinder symphony is evident at the exhaust pipe."

Top speed in the S4 sedan is electronically limited to155 mph. Audi claims that with a manual/automatic transmission the S4 sedan accelerates from 0-60 mph in 5.3/5.7 seconds. Kelley Blue Book asserts: "A throaty growl announces the arrival of serious horsepower and the car gains speed at a decidedly rapid rate. Choose the manual transmission and you may have your skills put to the test, as all that power means that gear changes can arrive very quickly."

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, when equipped with a manual transmission the 2008 Audi S4 sedan has a city/highway fuel economy of 13/20 miles per gallon (mpg). The S4's fuel economy slightly increases to 14/21 mpg with an automatic transmission. For maximum performance, Audi recommends that only premium unleaded gasoline be used.

The S4 sedan is available with either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic.

Handling and Braking

Critics say that the 2008 S4 sedan's handling dynamics are top-notch. "On winding back roads, the S4's top-notch underpinnings result in excellent handling while still providing a supple ride," says Edmunds. An auto writer for the Boston Globe adds, "As we made short work of a few corners and long on-ramp to Route 495, it was obvious that Audi didn't compromise handling and balance when it used a shoehorn and several pots of grease to squeeze the V8 into a space originally designed for a four-cylinder engine." The 2008 S4 comes equipped with a Servotronic speed-sensitive close-ratio power steering "for sporty handling."

While the S4 features a multi-link front suspension with upper and lower control arms, the rear suspension is a fully independent trapezoidal-link. Both, however, come equipped with a stabilizer bar, coil springs and gas charged shock absorbers. "On the road, whether searing superhighway, or country junction, the 2008 Audi S4 absorbs the bumps while pushing back with sports tuned suspension," says Carseek.

"While the Audi isn't quite as razor-sharp as a BMW or Infiniti," says Edmunds, "the extra grip afforded by its all-wheel drive could justify the trade-off for many enthusiasts, particularly those who live in parts of the country where rain- or snow-slicked roads are a part of life." Quattro, the S4's all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, allows for torque split between the front and rear axel of manual S4's to be automatically divided on the basis of road conditions. However, models equipped with a manual transmission come pre-configured with a 50:50 torque split. Even so, every S4 is capable of transferring available torque (100%) to whichever axle needs it the most. "The quattro system is a perfect match for the engine, and does an exemplary job of delivering the V8's remarkable output to all four wheels for the optimum in traction, handling and stability," says Kelley Blue Book.

The 2008 S4's brake system is composed of front and rear ventilated disc brakes, as well as a four-wheel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake pressure Distribution (EBD), and Brake Assist -- which reduces stopping distance by sensing emergency breaking and applying needed force. According to Forbes, "The combinations help drivers retain control under slippery conditions or during extreme handling."