After driving our 2009 Audi A4 Avant a little, I thought back to the first Audi Avant I ever drove -- it was a 2001 S4 Avant, the first year for the wagon in the second-generation S4. I fondly remember that car, mostly because I loved its combination of performance and utility as well as our test vehicle's distinctive Nagaro Blue paint.
You might find these test numbers interesting:
What the numbers don't show is how our 2009 Avant's handling is more taunt and responsive than that old S4. Dynamically, our sport-package-equipped A4 is superior, even though it's not an "S" model. Of course, I've had eight years of memory loss since I drove that S4, but my lingering impressions seem to be backed up by comments in our 2001 road test. Our long-term A4 also has a nicer-looking interior, a better-sounding audio system, a panoramic sunroof, navigation and iPod integration. It's no doubt safer, too.
I will say I'm not as smitten with our A4 as I was with our S4, probably because the S4 was quite special back then, and our A4 is, well, just a four-cylinder A4 with an agricultural engine note. But this 2009 Avant of ours is still a great car.
Oh, and check out the blue suede and door inserts in the 2001!
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor @ 7,120 miles
jaguar36 says:
11:18 AM, 02/23/09
Keep in mind that the $43k price of the S4 in 2001 is equivalent to about $53k in 2009 dollars.
s197gt says:
11:46 AM, 02/23/09
anyone want to look up the size and weight of both cars? too lazy...
wchau2 says:
12:32 PM, 02/23/09
2001 S4 Avant (manual)
Curb Weight: 3704 lbs.
Wheelbase: 102.6"
Length: 176.7"
Width: 72.7"
Height: 55.8"
2009 A4 Avant
Curb Weight: 3614 lbs.
Wheelbase: 110.6"
Length: 185.2"
Width: 71.9"
Height: 56.2"
audisport says:
01:06 PM, 02/23/09
I remember my girlfriend asking me why my new A4 sounded like a lawnmower ( her words) . I think that the 2.0tfsi sounds like a diesel.
desmolicious says:
01:39 PM, 02/23/09
Your numbers must be wrong. No way the 211hp auto Avant (2009) gets 0-60mph on 6.0 seconds with the auto.
bromans says:
02:30 PM, 02/23/09
Thanks, Desmo. I should have clarified -- I used our A4's rollout time to better match our earlier S4 (with rollout) accel number. Without the rollout calculation, the Avant's 0-60-time is 6.5 seconds. -- Brent
adavis2493 says:
02:50 PM, 02/23/09
Wow- the interior of the 2001 is actually extremely nauseating. It seems like driving in a Smurfs stomach.
desmolicious says:
04:31 PM, 02/23/09
Still surprisingly quick numbers for this car. I forgot that it did this well with the auto.
Is the manual any better?
konocar400h says:
05:19 PM, 02/23/09
I drove one of my friends 2001 S4 Avant and I was surprised-but not pleasently. With it being an "S" model and all, I thought it would be high power, stiff suspension and all. But it wasnt, the turbo took its sweet time spooling up and the suspension was rather soft. It probably had a lot to do with old age but I could tell it was never a true sports car.
I still loved the car though. His has the blue leather interior and its definitly worn well. I love audi interiors (who doesnt?)
Im sure the newer one you guys have is a lot more solid, especially with the sport package. I hope to drive one soon enough...
equ says:
07:11 PM, 02/23/09
Back in 2000, I looked up to get an s4 but went with an already budget-busting a4 2.8. Even though I liked the car and its handling, years later when I drove an s4, which should be much better, I was rather disappointed as well. It felt all soft and out of sorts (at the time I owned a bmw 330i zhp which had sharpened me somewhat).
I've only done a short drive of the new a4 but it rocks (almost, the steering is a bit light). The speed was more than I expected. Now, listen Audi/Audi of America, bring that avant with a manual!
cwmoo740 says:
08:16 PM, 02/23/09
Those improvements in fuel economy and braking distance are pretty incredible, and they came just about without any sacrifice in sheer speed. Just goes to show how much improvement has been made in engine technology - I bet the '09 A4 makes up for its 40 hp deficit with less turbo lag, all while getting better economy.
DLu says:
07:11 AM, 02/26/09
Excellent post! now this is what i'm talking about -- cars should be about technology, such as improving performance while increasing efficiency.
little off topic, but seems like many SUVs are about the opposite thing -- they came out with the Escalade ESV after the original Escalade to be fatter than the "regular-sized" monster; the Hummer H3 is even slower and heavier than it's cousins, etc. sure there's "off-road" capability, but little Wranglers and pickups are the only vehicles i've ever seen that's covered with mud. SUVs tend to be the cleanest things on the road.