2008 Audi S4 Avant

Flexible Flyer

For those who like to drive fast while carrying gear, the Audi S4 Avant delivers a powerful engine with a dose of practicality.

The V8-powered Audi S4 Avant is a higher-performance version of the automaker’s A4 Avant station wagon. The S4 handles better and accelerates much more quickly than the standard model.

The S4 Avant affords outstanding performance with an element of practicality not typically found among sporty cars. Its station-wagon tailgate and fold-down rear seats make carrying large or bulky items easy.

The V8 in the Audi S4 Avant produces about one-third more power than the six-cylinder engine in the A4 3.2 Avant.

Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system is standard in the S4 Avant. It’s specially calibrated to provide a 40/60 front-to-rear power split on models equipped with a manual transmission, which helps contribute to a sportier feel.

Automatic transmission models provide 50/50 power distribution between the axles. Whether automatic or manual, power is automatically sent to the wheels with the most traction for added road-holding abilities, especially on wet pavement.

Styling-wise, the Audi S4 Avant carries only slight cosmetic differences from the tamer A4 Avant. Audi’s now-trademark single-frame trapezoidal grille is the centerpiece of an uncluttered, attractive exterior. That stealthy appearance can be a virtue for drivers who want to blend in (say, from the highway patrol), but it can be disappointing for those who want to turn heads.

The Audi S4 Avant comes with a high level of standard equipment, including sport front seats. Options include adaptive, high-intensity headlamps that pivot to illuminate the road around curves. The optional navigation system includes Audi’s Multi-Media Interface. MMI can be difficult to operate and may distract drivers from the road, but it’s less annoying than similar systems offered by other European imports (e.g., BMW’s iDrive) and does a particularly nice job of keeping radio channels organized with the optional satellite receiver.

Is the Audi S4 Avant for You?

Buy the S4 Avant if	You want a stylish and sporty station wagon with precise handling and quick V8 acceleration; you want to fly under the radar.
Keep Looking if	You prefer a larger and/or softer-riding luxury car; you want a model that provides flashier styling to complement its high-performance nature.
Who Fits?	Four fit comfortably and five can squeeze in a pinch; front-seat occupants will find ample room in the Audi S4 Avant, though larger riders will find that backseat space is at a premium.
Closest Competitors	Subaru Legacy Wagon Volvo V70
Did You Know?	The original S4 that debuted in 1991 was based on what was then called the Audi 100 sedan. It came powered by a turbocharged five-cylinder engine, with quattro all-wheel drive standard. When Audi rechristened the 100 as the A6 in 1994, the vehicle’s name was concurrently changed to the S6.