Erik
August 26th, 2003, 11:11
When I first saw the pictures and read the technical specification about the new S4 V8 I must say I was disappointed. I have now driven the S4 V8 for about 1300 km and I must say I am very impressed. The V8 fits the car very well, there is always enough power when you need it and the sound from the engine is really nice. Not too loud, but enough to make you smile. :D
We benchmarked the S4 vs. the M3 (E46) with SMG and the S4 is away much quicker than the M3. We did several tests and the M3 usually passed the S4 at around 120 – 140 km/h.
Only once did it pass at around 100 km/h. The M3 driver and owner claims he passed before, but I’m not sure and this is my report not his.
The M3 used the launch control but also ‘manual’ starts, he was free to do whatever tricks he could to go as fast as possible. The biggest problem for the M3 was to get traction.
His rear tires could have been better (can’t they always?), but otherwise the conditions were more or less perfect (i.e. dry roads)
At ‘autobahn speed’ we discovered something interesting. When slipstreaming behind the M3, the S4 had no problems at all to keep up. At about 260 km/h the M3 hit the limiter, but the S4 was ready to continue up to about 270 km/h on the odometer.
That could certainly annoy any M3 owner running stock! :bigeyes:
On the other hand, the M3 has no problems either to keep up when slipstreaming behind the S4. But it would hit the limiter before the S4.
It might be worth to mention that 5:th gear only goes up to about 235 km/h, so you need all gears for top speed.
We also tried it against a ~370 hp TTq Roadster. At high speeds they are very similar, but the S4 will take the start from a stand still.
And a chipped Volvo V70R AWD stands no chance…
Unfortunately we did not have the possibility to try it against the Volvo S60R, but as far as I understand it has very small chances to compete with the S4.
According to tests I’ve seen the S4 should be able to do 200 km/h in about 20 secs. and the quarter mile in about 13.4 secs.
The feeling in the steering could have been better, but that is only if you have tried the BMW M3. Otherwise you wouldn’t really complain. The hunger for petrol was a little higher than I expected. At 120 km/h in 6:th gear it still wants about 11 to 12l / 100km.
Also the S4 was heavier than expected. 1880 kg with driver and half tank of petrol is very heavy I think.
I can highly recommend the S4 V8! :incar: :s4addict:
We benchmarked the S4 vs. the M3 (E46) with SMG and the S4 is away much quicker than the M3. We did several tests and the M3 usually passed the S4 at around 120 – 140 km/h.
Only once did it pass at around 100 km/h. The M3 driver and owner claims he passed before, but I’m not sure and this is my report not his.
The M3 used the launch control but also ‘manual’ starts, he was free to do whatever tricks he could to go as fast as possible. The biggest problem for the M3 was to get traction.
His rear tires could have been better (can’t they always?), but otherwise the conditions were more or less perfect (i.e. dry roads)
At ‘autobahn speed’ we discovered something interesting. When slipstreaming behind the M3, the S4 had no problems at all to keep up. At about 260 km/h the M3 hit the limiter, but the S4 was ready to continue up to about 270 km/h on the odometer.
That could certainly annoy any M3 owner running stock! :bigeyes:
On the other hand, the M3 has no problems either to keep up when slipstreaming behind the S4. But it would hit the limiter before the S4.
It might be worth to mention that 5:th gear only goes up to about 235 km/h, so you need all gears for top speed.
We also tried it against a ~370 hp TTq Roadster. At high speeds they are very similar, but the S4 will take the start from a stand still.
And a chipped Volvo V70R AWD stands no chance…
Unfortunately we did not have the possibility to try it against the Volvo S60R, but as far as I understand it has very small chances to compete with the S4.
According to tests I’ve seen the S4 should be able to do 200 km/h in about 20 secs. and the quarter mile in about 13.4 secs.
The feeling in the steering could have been better, but that is only if you have tried the BMW M3. Otherwise you wouldn’t really complain. The hunger for petrol was a little higher than I expected. At 120 km/h in 6:th gear it still wants about 11 to 12l / 100km.
Also the S4 was heavier than expected. 1880 kg with driver and half tank of petrol is very heavy I think.
I can highly recommend the S4 V8! :incar: :s4addict: