{"id":2674,"date":"2019-05-04T20:26:00","date_gmt":"2019-05-05T03:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogv2prod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/?p=2674"},"modified":"2022-05-10T23:14:35","modified_gmt":"2022-05-11T06:14:35","slug":"2006-audi-s4-road-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/2006-audi-s4-road-test\/","title":{"rendered":"2006 Audi S4 Road Test"},"content":{"rendered":"\nReading Time: <\/span> 6<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

\"\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Attributes<\/th>\nDetails<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Category:<\/td>\n$45,000 – $60,000 Compact All-wheel Drive Performance Sedan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who should buy this car:<\/td>\nA person who wants a high powered sports car, but needs a family sedan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Comparable cars in the class:<\/td>\nBMW 330, Cadillac CTS-V, Mercedes Benz C55<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

2006 Audi S4 Road Test<\/h2>\n

What you really want is a sleek, two-seat sports car with a brawny engine, removable top, manual transmission, lots of luxury features and a suspension that can handle everything you and the powertrain can dish out.<\/p>\n

What you really need is a family hauler with room for four, a solid roof overhead, foul-weather traction and a cargo compartment that will handle vacation baggage or an odd-size purchase from the Home Depot.<\/p>\n

\"\"So, what you’re really looking for is a satisfactory compromise.<\/p>\n

The good news is that there are a few such vehicles out there. And the bad news? Well, if you want it all fun, luxury, exclusivity, – you’ll need a pretty big pile of money.<\/p>\n

One of the most exciting is German manufacturer Audis 2006 S4 sedan, a mid-size screamer that can satisfy the inner Andretti all year round and still allow Mr. or Ms. Responsibility to cart the family around in sedate comfort and safety.<\/p>\n

The starting point for the S4 I drove was a competent A4 sedan equipped with Quattro all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission. The excitement was added primarily via a beefed-up suspension and a lusty V-8 engine with 340 horsepower and 302 pound-feet of torque.<\/p>\n

Put all that together, along with a lot of fine tuning, and you’ve got a sedan that will bolt from a stop to 60 mph in about five seconds . . . a sedan that will track around corners at obscenely high speeds without excessive body lean . . . a sedan with properly spaced gears and a short-throw shifter to maximize performance . . . a sedan with precise rack-and-pinion steering that telegraphs road conditions right to the drivers fingertips . . . a sedan with powerful antilock brakes and stability control to rein in the overly enthusiastic.<\/p>\n

\"\"You’ve also got a sedan that can transport up to four passengers in comfort . . . a sedan that is as happy cruising to schools and shopping malls as it is with the accelerator mashed to the floor on a mountainous switchback . . . a sedan with a ride quality that is firm, but not harsh . . . a sedan that contains all the amenities required of a true luxury sedan.<\/p>\n

Well take a good look at that fine tuning but, first, a quick side trip. For those whose needs and wants do not coincide with a sedans specifications, S4 performance is also available in the form of a station wagon (avant in Audi-speak) and a convertible (cabriolet in Audi-speak).<\/p>\n

Now, back to the main road.<\/p>\n

The four-link independent front suspension and the complex, self-tracking, independent rear suspension have been tightened. This involved installing stiffer shock absorbers and springs, stronger front and rear stabilizer bars and lowering the car about an inch.<\/p>\n

For 2006, Audi engineers have also recalibrated the standard Quattro all-wheel-drive system from the traditional 50\/50 front\/rear torque split to 40\/60 on models with manual transmissions. This was done to make the S4 feel more like a rear-drive automobile.<\/p>\n

As always, when the weather turns slippery the system directs power automatically to the wheels with the most grip. Those who order an S4 with the shiftable, six-speed automatic transmission will get Quattro with the 50\/50 torque split.<\/p>\n

The S4 also has speed-sensitive, power-assisted, rack-and-pinion steering and powerful antilock disc brakes. The binders are equipped with electronics to distribute braking equally among all four wheels; hydraulic assist to automatically increase braking force in emergencies; and a wiping system that automatically presses the linings lightly against the discs at regular intervals to enhance responsiveness in wet weather.<\/p>\n

\"\"The advanced stability control system can provide braking to one or all four wheels if sensors detect that the Audi is about to careen out of control.<\/p>\n

Finally, 18-inch wheels and tires round out the S4s performance package.<\/p>\n

Inside the car, leather-covered Recaro front buckets with 12-way power adjustments will keep driver and front passenger safe and secure when the back roads beckon. The rear bench, well, its a somewhat tight, leather-covered depository for two more passengers when the Audi is working its day job, but it really is no place to enjoy traveling when demon driver is honing his high-performance skills.<\/p>\n

And, just in case enthusiasm overrules common sense, Audi sends along some guardian angels in the form of front, side and side-curtain airbags, front head restraints which help to prevent head and neck injuries, side impact beams and seatbelts for all with automatic pre-tensioning and force limiters.<\/p>\n

The S4 is rather modest about its competence, signaling its special capabilities with nothing more than S4 badges, a rear spoiler and distinctive mirror housings.<\/p>\n

The sedan trunk can accommodate 13.4 cubic feet of cargo. Fold down the 60\/40 rear seatbacks and the cargo area expands significantly.<\/p>\n

A close look around the interior provides ample proof that the S4 is a true luxury car. In addition to brushed aluminum trim and other the high quality materials on doors, roof, dashboard and steering wheel, a passenger will note the dual-zone automatic climate control system, the premium sound system with six-cd changer and satellite radio availability, the cruise control, the power window switches.<\/p>\n

And thats just the equipment that comes standard with the $46,400 base price.<\/p>\n

The $2,900 premium package features a sunroof, auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors, a remote garage-door opener, headlights that peek around turns, heated front seats and optional 18-inch wheels with summer performance tires.<\/p>\n

The $1,950 navigation system transmits information from a dashboard-mounted 6.5-inch screen and a driver-information center located in the instrument cluster. The screen also flips down to reveal slots that can accept memory cards with MP3 music files.<\/p>\n

The $1,500 premium audio package includes telephone preparation with Bluetooth capability.<\/p>\n

The $400 cold weather package adds a ski sack and heated rear seats.<\/p>\n

And, finally, carbon fiber beltline trim costs an extra $300.<\/p>\n

Combine all that with the $1,700 gas-guzzler charge (Typically, the S4<\/p>\n

will average between 15 and 21 miles per gallon of premium fuel.) and a $720 delivery charge, and the grand total comes to $55,870.<\/p>\n

The S4 sedan is a satisfying multi-tasker, both sensible and sensational. Its too bad for most of us that the sensational price is beyond our budgetary sensibilities.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Specifications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Attributes<\/th>\nDetails<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Engine Type<\/td>\n4.2 liter Double Overhead Cam 40 valve V8 with variable valve timing<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Horsepower<\/td>\n340 @ 7,000 RPM<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Torque<\/td>\n302 @ 3,500 RPM<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fuel Recommended<\/td>\nPremium Unleaded<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Transmission (std.)
\nTransmission (opt.)<\/td>\n		6 Speed manual transmission<\/span> \n

6 Speed automatic transmission<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Drive Type<\/td>\nAll Wheel Drive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tires<\/td>\nP235\/40ZR18 performance tires<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Overall Length<\/td>\n180.6<\/span>“<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wheelbase<\/td>\n104.3<\/span>“<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Width<\/td>\n70.1<\/span>“<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Turning Diameter<\/td>\n37.7 ft Curb to Curb<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Curb Weight<\/td>\n3,825 lbs.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fuel Tank<\/td>\n17.4 Gals<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Miles Per Gallon<\/td>\n15 mpg city, 21 mpg highway<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Acceleration 0 to 60<\/td>\n5.0 Seconds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Base Sticker Price<\/td>\n$46,400<\/span> + $720 <\/span><\/strong>destination charge and $1,700 Gas Guzzler Tax<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Standard Equipment<\/h2>\n

Audi S4(Partial List)<\/h3>\n