I like the idea of a sleeper car, a car that mimics the looks of a standard road car but packs in a monstrous engine under the hood. Ideal to drive to your board meeting in the day and, after closing bell, prove to the dragstrip junkies who the boss really is.
A car with multiple personalities, a Jekyll and Hyde player, that’s the S4; a tattooed wicked version of Audi’s very popular A4. In blazing red!
The A4 in stock form itself is a sporty looking sedan; glance at the S4 and you’ll think it’s just a brightly painted A4. Closer examination will point out quite a few additions. The lowered height, larger 18-inch wheels, arresting quad-exhausts and S badging are indicators that this may not be mild sauce.
The S4 is based on the updated A4. This means the meaner looking LEDs, new hexagonal Audi front grille and revised LED taillights are here too. The car is lower by 20 mm, thanks to the suspension, making the stance much sportier.
The brushed aluminium mirror caps contrast well with the rest of the car, similar to the more powerful Audi RS models. Overall, this car is as subtle as it’s loud, a feline that’s comfortable in leather or lace!
Step inside, and the sport theme continues. The interiors are all black leather (some of it in black alcantara) with brushed aluminium detailing. Other details include S4 branding on the steering wheel, instrument cluster and seats.
Thumb the starter to hear a roar! The S4 was initially available with a 3.0-litre twinturbo V6 and a 4.2-litre V8. This model packs in an engine that may seem less powerful than the previous ones but actually makes the car the quickest S4 till date.
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(This story appears in the 21 December, 2012 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)