The Aurora wiil receive a The Salt LakeTribune AUTOMOTIVE KECTIOy, ‘Advertising supplement produced by the Newspaper Agency Corporation October8, 1999 ® CLASSIFIEDS, F-2 1-15-Closures Access is restricted along Interstate 15 through the Salt Lake Valley due to reconstruction. Oct8-Och 15 [Open Bi Closed + Closed Audi combines power, comfort to create new S4 Car features a sophisticated bi-turbo V6 engine and anall-wheel-drive system By Ann M. Job For The Associated Press Audis are much more than aloof autobahn runners, They can be just as invigorating and performanceoriented as BMWs. That’s the word from Audi of AmericaInc.asit resurrects the S4 name on a new, sporty, Audi A4 NORTH sedan. The 2000 $4, whichhasa starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price plus destination charge of $38,425, is much more powerful than the previous top-of-the-line Ad. Italso handles moretightly with a sport-tuned suspension, sits slightly lower to the ground and rides on big, 17-inch, performance tires “The S4 mission is to raise the aspirations anddesires for the Audi brand,” said Walter Haneck, marketing director. “‘it’s going to becomekey as a foundation element in our performanceinitiative ... It will add sharpness to the full A4 range.”” The A4sedan andstation wagon line has had twoengines up to now A 150-horsepower, 1.8-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine and a 190-horsepower, 2.8-liter V6. The S4 surpasses both with a sophisticated, 250-horsepower, 2.7liter, double overhead cam, bi- turbo V6 that’s designed for plentiful torque and quick throttle response. Audi chose toinstall two small turbos one for each bank of Schedule subjectto change F FRIDAY cylinders rather than one big turbocharger in the $4 so there would beless turbo lag. Because the smalier turbos can wind up quickly and get about their business, the engine responds more readily to a driver's demands. Indeed, the S4, fitted with standard six-speed manual transmis- sion, can rush to 60 mph from a standstill in 5.9 seconds. That's just two-tenths of a second away from the 5.7 seconds of a BMW M3and equals the performance ofthe 2000 Mercedes-Benz C43 with 302horsepower, V8 engine. Peak torque in the S4 is 258 foot-pounds at 1,850 revolutions per minute, which is very low down the rpm range, meaning there’s good low-speed oomph here: The test $4 seemed torush just about everywhere. I could get up to 70 mph onlong highwayentrance ramps, well before | had to merge with othercars. I passed other drivers on the freeway before they seemed to knowI wasnearby. I darted around double-parkedcarsin the city easily. And ! sat frustrated behind slower drivers who squandered my opportunities for more fun. Don’t think this poweris scary and uncontrolled. Those big, fourwheel disc brakes with anantilock system were at the ready, always, to slow the $4 down. Theyandthe P225/45 17-inch performancetires, which grippedthe road strongly, worked impressively. Much of the time, I wondered whatto do withall the gears in this car. I rarely felt a needto use sixth and spent most ofthe time in third orfourth. A five-speed automatic is avail able, too, as a no-cost option Still, the S4°s ide despite the The 2000 Audi S4, a sportier and more powerful version of the A4 sedan, features a smoothride. firmer suspension, performance tires and lower stance was surprisingly supple. Perhaps this is where 1 noticed the biggest difference withBMW. There's a tightness to the S4 as low-to-the-ground appearance and large front air dams, it looks like a “normal” A4. There is badging, however, that notes this Audi has a bi-turbo V6, and the headlights are standard you ride and steer, but there’s a Xenon, whichprovide greater illu- good amountof compliance, too. I didn’t feel rough roadsintimately, though | felt vibrations in all my mination than conventional travels, even on smooth-looking streets. headlamps. Inside, the seats and sport steering wheelare about the only things that tell youthis is a sportier Ad The S4 is kind enoughin its ride The standardleather on the sport to make three-hour trips quite comfortable, not grueling. Yet, if front seats can include a contrasting suede, if you want you The $4 comes pretty well loaded. It’s the only A4, for example, that includes Audi's new, inflatable find yourself taking that mountain curve a bit faster than youanticipated, this carrises to the asion to maintain its dignity ad protection curtains called and yours quite capably Outside, the S4 doesn’t scream Sideguard. that it’s some performance machine. In fact, except for its and Mercedes cars, Sideguard de- Similar to side curtains on Volvo ploys outoftheside ceiling of the car during a side crash, helping to prevent headinjuries. Unlike its primary competition like the M3 and C43 which have traction control systems, the $4 is the only one that com andard with an all-wheel drive system. Audi's Quattro now js in its fourth generation. It uses a torque: sensing (Torsen) center differential to vary power betweenthe front and rear axles, depending on slippage. The newest Quatiro development is the addition of a syst overlays the Torsen mechanicals andredistributes torque from one wheel to the other on each axle Other standard features onthe S4 are sideairbagsthat workto protect chest injuries in a side way power front s measurementandpollenfilter. E STOP SHOPPING ase e. AUTO MALL jceaaons.* TIM BAHLE = GKen MitsupisHi& rs) CA POOR COPY crash, 10: footwell lighting, fog lights and automatic air conditioner with sunintensity NEW & USED VEHICLES & DEALERS * 4 LOCATION