Test drive of the Audi S4 Avant TDI Quattro 347 CV Tiptronic, with ECO badge

Audi offers a vision of sportiness that for now has no clear rivals among its competitors, since the engine chosen for this Audi S4 is a very high-performance diesel which, assisted by a mild-hybrid system, delivers performance that is hard to match and that will leave no one indifferent. Its total output is 347 CV, although the figure that stands out most is its torque of 700 Nm, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds.

Audi has squared the circle with this S4 Avant TDI, as we are talking about an extremely versatile car that offers unrivalled driving fun, while at the same time providing high comfort and very reasonable fuel consumption, all with a very sporty look.

Design: as eye-catching as they come

This Audi S4 clearly stands apart from the rest of the A4 range thanks to its eye-catching exterior, with the front standing out in particular, featuring a specific, sport-cut bumper, as well as the grille bearing the “S4” badge. As standard it comes with 19-inch alloy wheels and larger, specific brakes with red callipers.

At the rear, the first thing that stands out are the four exhaust outlets, which give it a sporty character. Mind you, there is a catch, as two of them are not real (the ones on the right). Another very eye-catching detail is the exterior blue colour, very suitable for a car of this type, which already attracts attention on its own.

In the interior, we find the design of the A4 but with certain elements that make the difference in this sporty version, such as the carbon-fibre inserts or the sports seats (optional) with excellent lateral support and integrated headrests. The technological touch is provided by the fully digital instrument cluster and the enormous touchscreen.

The materials are of good quality, in keeping with the segment and price, with soft-touch plastics, leather, and carbon-fibre inserts. The fit and finish is also remarkable; in fact, our test unit had nearly 10,000 km on the clock and no “creaks” or anything similar could be heard, something that might happen in such a sporty model or with firm suspension settings.

The driving position is comfortable and low, with seats that hold the body perfectly and electric adjustment, even with a massage function. The only drawback is the leather upholstery which, as it is neither micro-perforated nor ventilated, gets very hot in summer. The massage function is the same as that fitted to its bigger siblings in the range, with several massage types, all focused on the backrest.

The rear seats are comfortable for two adults; three will be a little tighter due to the width and legroom. Our unit had a three-zone climate control with rear temperature control, as well as a 12V socket.

The boot has a capacity of 420 litres. It is not an outstanding figure, but it is practical and easy to access. Near the seats there is a small compartment where the puncture repair kit is stored, plus two recesses on either side for small items. In our unit, the tailgate had electric operation.

Engine and performance: 347 CV of real muscle

The most powerful Audi S4 to date uses a diesel engine, specifically a three-litre V6 TDI with an output of 347 CV. This engine is also used by other models in the brand, and it is also surprising that it carries the ECO badge thanks to mild hybridisation.

As I mentioned, the engine is complemented by a 48V mild-hybrid system with a 0.5 kWh lithium-ion battery, a system that assists the main engine on start-off, providing an extra boost of power. At the same time, it acts as a hybrid on the road, generating energy when we decelerate and even switching the engine off completely when cruising with some momentum.

But to understand the strength of this Audi S4 TDI, you have to look at the torque figure: 700 Nm from just 2,500 rpm, which, combined with the Quattro all-wheel drive, propels this S4 quickly and precisely over any surface or road.

The gearbox chosen for this saloon is an eight-speed Tiptronic (torque converter) rather than the brand’s classic dual-clutch units. It is a gearbox with correct operation, with an eighth gear that only appears at high speeds. Admittedly, it is slower than a dual-clutch unit.

The brakes are larger than those of the standard A4, delivering precise and powerful stopping, even after very intensive use.

Behaviour: a bipolar beast, from eco-friendly to radical

It has been a long time since I got behind the wheel of a car as bipolar, or versatile, depending on how you look at it. On one hand it carries an ECO badge and a mild-hybrid system, and in efficient mode this S4 Avant TDI is a smooth, comfortable and even economical car. On the other hand, when selecting “Dynamic” mode, it becomes a true beast that pushes with force and precision, gaining speed very quickly and putting a smile on your face that makes you forget there is no petrol engine roaring under the bonnet, but an efficient diesel.

Economical character. On both motorways and dual carriageways, this S4 TDI is a very comfortable car with outstanding interior soundproofing, rolling smoothly (thanks to the V6 engine) and composed at all times. Perhaps, in “Efficiency” mode, the only complaint I can make is the steering, which feels a little imprecise. In this mode, even at 120 km/h, as soon as we stop needing to accelerate, the car decouples the gearbox and within seconds switches the engine off completely. We can also prompt this using the paddle shifters, upshifting several times to signal that we don’t need to accelerate, and once the gearbox is decoupled the engine switches off.

Sporting character. As soon as we select “Dynamic” mode on the Audi Drive Select, the steering becomes firmer and more precise, the suspension system also gains firmness, the throttle and gearbox response becomes quicker, and the car’s sound transforms into a hoarse but very striking growl (from which no one would imagine a diesel engine is the source).

To test it, we chose a mountain road with fast bends and constant changes of camber, which puts its agility but also its traction to the test. In the first few metres, it surprises with its agility; it feels like driving an A3 rather than a family-bodied car. Moreover, when you press the accelerator, it pins you to the seat without any of its wheels losing traction, pushing powerfully yet precisely. In fact, it is a car that gains speed very quickly, something we hardly notice thanks to its good interior insulation.

After several runs on challenging roads, it surprises with its rapid cornering and precision, all in a family-bodied car with so much torque. Admittedly, at 120 km/h it only turns at 1,500 rpm in eighth gear, so the gearing seems more geared towards saving fuel or for the German Autobahn.

Fuel consumption: showing off the ECO badge

On our usual motorway route, average consumption was 7.2 litres per 100 km. On country roads, if we are careful with the pedal and drive calmly, it is easy to reach averages of 6 litres per 100 km, while if we are less careful, the figure rises to 7 litres per 100 km.

On a mixed urban and country route, average consumption was 8 litres per 100 km.

Equipment

Within the long list of options available for the Audi S4 Avant TDI, the number of driver assistance systems stands out, warning us of blind spots, unintended lane changes, braking in the event of a possible collision, or even adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go function (very useful in traffic jams).

There are several equipment packs that include these assistants at a very reasonable price, such as the Tour Assist Pack (€1,840) or the City Assistants Pack (€870), which add to the previous systems: rear traffic alert, automatic braking in the event of a collision, a warning when opening the door if a vehicle may be approaching, among others.

The outstanding performance of the full-LED lights stands out, with a function that adapts automatically to driving, maintaining the greatest possible illumination without dazzling other drivers (and they come as standard).

Finally, the good operation of the multimedia system deserves a mention; it lets you “draw” letter by letter or a whole word on the touchscreen, for example to enter a navigation address. It also comes as standard with a 10-speaker sound system rated at 180 W, with decent sound quality.

Personal opinion and price of the Audi S4 Avant TDI

Sporting versatility is the expression that best defines this Audi S4 TDI, because at first it may sound odd to combine sportiness with a diesel engine, yet the four-ring marque has created a well-rounded package.

Its Avant body is comfortable and spacious for families or for anyone seeking a roomy car with a good boot; its diesel engine proves it can be very economical, and on the road it is extremely comfortable, with contained and very reasonable consumption.

At the same time, if we want to have fun behind the wheel, we only need to select “Dynamic” mode, and its sound, engine response or cornering precision will surprise us, all with an addictive force that no petrol vehicle of similar power can offer.

The Audi S4 Avant TDI has a starting price of €78,765, while our unit with some extras topped €85,000.

Photos | Test team