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The ultimate practical sportswagon, the fire-breathing S4 Avant is Audi's
newest high-performance machine with the added benefit of a large load-carrying
area.
The all new S4 Avant is available with the choice of a 6-speed manual
transmission and a 6-speed tiptronic gearbox, priced at $133,100 and $136,100
respectively.
The heart of the Audi S4 Avant is its eager 4.2-litre V8 engine, producing an
eyebrow-raising 253 kW of power and maximum torque of 410 Nm.
The S4 Avant completes the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.8 seconds
(6-speed manual), and has a top speed that is governed to 250 km/h.
Audi Australia's managing director, Graham Hardy, believes this latest
addition to the S4 model range will win the hearts of those Australian customers
who prefer a more practical approach to their sportscar driving.
“Audi's “S” model vehicles have been gaining favour in Australia as an
increasing number of customers come to understand and appreciate their design
subtlety, absolute luxury and genuine high-performance,” Mr Graham Hardy said.
“The S4 Avant, with its permanent quattro four-wheel drive and sports-tuned
high-performance suspension, ensure that the power from its new V8 engine can be
converted into maximum forward propulsion and driving responsiveness.
“Yet the clear benefit of this new variant is the flexibility and versatility
that is afforded by its capacious load-carrying area. Whether you have a family,
a variety of sports equipment, a surfboard or a dog, the Audi S4 Avant allows
you to indulge these passions without compromising on performance with your
choice of vehicle,” Mr Hardy added.
The S4 Avant boasts a new 4.2-litre V8 engine which is impressive thanks to
its compact design. Its dimensions – especially the length of only 464
millimetres – enable the installation of a V8 for the first time in an extremely
slim engine compartment.
To make this compact feature possible, Audi's engine developers installed a
chain drive for camshafts and ancillaries on the engine output side, making it
possible to reduce the length by no less than 52 millimetres.
The entire V8, with a gross weight of just 195 kilograms, is just as light as
its predecessor in the previous S4, a twin-turbo 2.7-litre V6 engine, resulting
in major benefits for the weight balance and handling characteristics.
In practice, the V8 engine is spontaneous and responsive to every movement of
the accelerator pedal.
Power is transferred to the wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox of the latest
generation, notable for its closely spaced ratios and extreme precision, with
short sports-style shifts, and quattro permanent four-wheel drive. A 6-speed
tiptronic gearbox with Dynamic Shift Program (DSP) and sporty “S” mode is also
available for Australian buyers.
The only car in its class with permanent all-wheel drive, the S4 Avant, like
its sedan sister, is able to convert its engine output into propulsive power
efficiently at all times and reaches new heights of superiority through the
handling capability of its aluminium chassis.
The lightweight aluminium suspension, based on the much-praised axle design
of the A4 series, provides the ideal basis for maximum agility and driving
pleasure.
Four-link front suspension and trapezoidal-link rear suspension enable
maximum steering precision and clearly defined handling with excellent cornering
stability. Ride comfort also benefits from this ingenious axle design because a
low unsprung mass also makes for a particularly sensitive response from the
suspension.
The superiority of the Audi S4 Avant is reflected in its deliberately
restrained appearance, differing quite subtly from the other members of the
model line.
The powerful-looking, fully painted bumpers with large air inlets, xenon
headlights with contrasting titanium-coloured inner housing and polished
aluminium exterior mirrors indicate to those in the know that they are looking
at an unique variant.
Powerful exhaust tailpipes on both sides and a discreet rear spoiler on the
saloon are characteristic features of the Audi S4 Avant.
Inside this highly practical vehicle, the instrument cluster features the
grey dials and special needles that are characteristic of all “S” models. The
three-spoke sports steering wheel with leather trim and “S” emblem also
emphasises the vehicle's sporting character. Tiptronic variants also feature Le
Mans-style shift paddles on the steering wheel.
The new generation of electrically-adjustable Recaro sports seats provide
firm lateral support and excellent comfort on long journeys.
Australian specification vehicles boast high levels of standard equipment
including exclusive “S” model badging, brushed aluminium mirrors and trim
strips, a high-performance braking system, acoustic parking, servotronic
'sports-tuned' speed sensitive steering, sports suspension, 18” alloy wheels of
Avus design, xenon headlights, Recaro electric front seats with electric lumbar
support, leather and alcantara upholstery, split-fold rear seats and Symphony
sound system with 10 loudspeakers and CD changer.
Sales of the S4 Avant from launch until the end of 2004 are expected to
number 35 to 40 units. For the full year 2005, the company expects sales of
around 5 to 6 units per month.
The Audi S4 Avant and sedan will be joined by an all-new S4 Cabriolet in the
final quarter of 2004.
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