Rep Power: 497

Audi’s S4 is no BMW M3. It lacks two pistons, about 100 horsepower and much of the snarl that makes BMW’s rorty little pocket rocket such a monster. Ditto Mercedes’ C 63 AMG to which the sprightly Audi sacrifices no less than 3.2 litres of displacement, two pistons and more than 100 hp.

This is hardly a condemnation of the S4. Indeed, the only people who would make the comparison are those who don’t understand that a) Audi has no intention of the S4 competing with either the Bimmer or Mercedes and b) it has another entire series, badged RS, that is supposed to do battle with the might of M and AMG. (Canada will soon see its first RS product in many a year with the RS5, a monster of a sport coupe with 450 hp worth of V8 sweetness and a torque-vectoring sport differential that makes Audi’s traditional understeer a thing of the past.)

No, the S4 operates in a completely different sphere, occupying that more practical ground between BMW’s 335i and M3. Indeed, the S4’s only true competitor would be if BMW Canada offered its 3 Series xDrive sedan in 335is guise with the company’s 335-hp version of its iconic 3.0L in-line six as well as an optional M suspension package. The closest competitor is actually BMW’s 135i M Coupe, which shares about the same horsepower and comportment, though it is smaller and lacks the S4’s all-wheel-drive system.

Read more: http://life.nationalpost.com/2011/12...-2012-audi-s4/