C32 THRASHES S4 in group test (Autocar 19 June)
06-19-2003, 04:38 PM
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Alfa Romeo 147 1.6TS
C32 THRASHES S4 in group test (Autocar 19 June)
The new issue of Autocar (Europe), out today, contains a three - way test between a C32 wagon, an S4 wagon, and an Alpina - tuned BMW wagon.
Aside from being lashed for the poor quality of its interior and realatively high price, the C32 wagon comprehensively beat the S4 wagon on all counts of driving dynamics.
To quote tester Chris Harris :
"On with the job: lever back to D, whiff of throttle and the C32 begins one of the best illusion acts in all of motordom - the 6.0 litre V8 impersonation.
So strong is this engine from zilch revs, so naughty is its exhaust note from the twin AMG pipes that you'd never guess it was a little supercharged six. The performance clearly shocked the testers at Mercedes because their claimes figures were so pessimistic: 0- 62 mph in 5.3 secons and middle 12s to 100mph - presumably to save their big V8 stuff sever embarassment.
Having figured a C32 saloon more than once I can tell you that even taking into account a few extra kilos of metal and glass this car will cut sub 5.0 second 0 - 60mph runs all day and thump to 100mph in around 11.0sec. M5 at the lights? Easy.
It's a honey cross - country too, What the 17's forfeit in style they more than make up for in suppleness on testing roads. Long wheel travel and fine damping make easy work of the surface changes. Steering favours accuracy over genuine feel, but like all three cars here, the body is an ideal size for hussling."
On the S4:
Not another unresolved fast Audi please, I'm begging you. Bloody hell, it's happening again.....
Well it is, and I'm borderline speechless this time round. Servotronic steering has never thrown anything other than a bucket of spanners at Audi dynamics over the years and the S4 doesn't buck the trend. Lifeless at low speed it loads up horribly mid - bend, and then firmly resists any direction change.
The ride is a full 30 per cent harsher than the Alpina's, say 20 per cent over the Benz.
The engine is full of torque and promise from 3,500 rpm and largely apologetic thereafter. revving it out to 7000rpm is like Zimbabwe's test cricket side: pointless. Mechanical refinement only matches the others, too.
To finish:
The C32 is great if harassing supercars appeals, but the Alpina just edges ahead. But the real shock is how comprehensively they both beat the S4. I've had it with the excuses.
MY NOTE : AUTOCAR IS THE LEADING AUTHORITY IN THE EVALUATION OF AUTOMOBILES IN EUROPE.
How's about that????
Aside from being lashed for the poor quality of its interior and realatively high price, the C32 wagon comprehensively beat the S4 wagon on all counts of driving dynamics.
To quote tester Chris Harris :
"On with the job: lever back to D, whiff of throttle and the C32 begins one of the best illusion acts in all of motordom - the 6.0 litre V8 impersonation.
So strong is this engine from zilch revs, so naughty is its exhaust note from the twin AMG pipes that you'd never guess it was a little supercharged six. The performance clearly shocked the testers at Mercedes because their claimes figures were so pessimistic: 0- 62 mph in 5.3 secons and middle 12s to 100mph - presumably to save their big V8 stuff sever embarassment.
Having figured a C32 saloon more than once I can tell you that even taking into account a few extra kilos of metal and glass this car will cut sub 5.0 second 0 - 60mph runs all day and thump to 100mph in around 11.0sec. M5 at the lights? Easy.
It's a honey cross - country too, What the 17's forfeit in style they more than make up for in suppleness on testing roads. Long wheel travel and fine damping make easy work of the surface changes. Steering favours accuracy over genuine feel, but like all three cars here, the body is an ideal size for hussling."
On the S4:
Not another unresolved fast Audi please, I'm begging you. Bloody hell, it's happening again.....
Well it is, and I'm borderline speechless this time round. Servotronic steering has never thrown anything other than a bucket of spanners at Audi dynamics over the years and the S4 doesn't buck the trend. Lifeless at low speed it loads up horribly mid - bend, and then firmly resists any direction change.
The ride is a full 30 per cent harsher than the Alpina's, say 20 per cent over the Benz.
The engine is full of torque and promise from 3,500 rpm and largely apologetic thereafter. revving it out to 7000rpm is like Zimbabwe's test cricket side: pointless. Mechanical refinement only matches the others, too.
To finish:
The C32 is great if harassing supercars appeals, but the Alpina just edges ahead. But the real shock is how comprehensively they both beat the S4. I've had it with the excuses.
MY NOTE : AUTOCAR IS THE LEADING AUTHORITY IN THE EVALUATION OF AUTOMOBILES IN EUROPE.
How's about that????
06-19-2003, 04:59 PM
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white and whiter
cool review...i'll check it out at barns&noble later on...
i think the main reason is that audi a4 wagon is heavier than the c-class wagon. although S4 does have the 4wd the extra weight does help much.
but even in sedan form...the c32 won't catch the M5.
i think the main reason is that audi a4 wagon is heavier than the c-class wagon. although S4 does have the 4wd the extra weight does help much.
but even in sedan form...the c32 won't catch the M5.
Last edited by FrankW; 06-19-2003 at 05:02 PM.
06-19-2003, 05:00 PM
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Well, all I can I say is look at the track times in this Audi S4 vs. BMW M3 video.
http://www.yoyo.org/~andy/private/TopgearM3.wmv
http://www.yoyo.org/~andy/private/TopgearM3.wmv
06-19-2003, 05:09 PM
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white and whiter
believe it...other german magazine that compare the S4, M3, and the C32 also said the S4 rides harsher than the other two.
go try to find a video called: s4_m3_c32_amus.wmv
i downloaded it awhile ago...maybe you can still find it online.
go try to find a video called: s4_m3_c32_amus.wmv
i downloaded it awhile ago...maybe you can still find it online.
06-19-2003, 05:19 PM
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Alfa Romeo 147 1.6TS
Look it up if you don't believe me. Although maybe the C32 is set up differently in Europe, specifically the wagon maybe? And the C32 will out - accelerate an M5, that I have personally seen verified.
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06-19-2003, 05:35 PM
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white and whiter
Originally posted by Kain
Well, all I can I say is look at the track times in this Audi S4 vs. BMW M3 video.
http://www.yoyo.org/~andy/private/TopgearM3.wmv
Well, all I can I say is look at the track times in this Audi S4 vs. BMW M3 video.
http://www.yoyo.org/~andy/private/TopgearM3.wmv
06-19-2003, 05:50 PM
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white and whiter
Originally posted by irishman
Look it up if you don't believe me. Although maybe the C32 is set up differently in Europe, specifically the wagon maybe? And the C32 will out - accelerate an M5, that I have personally seen verified.
Look it up if you don't believe me. Although maybe the C32 is set up differently in Europe, specifically the wagon maybe? And the C32 will out - accelerate an M5, that I have personally seen verified.
info off bmw.com: 0-100 km/h is 5.3 second and 0-60 mph in 4.8 second from bmwusa.com. the best test time i've seen was 4.7-4.8. 1/4 miles 13.3@108.5 from road&track magazine.
a good driver behind the wheel of M5 will not lost to a C32...trust me...
06-22-2003, 02:32 AM
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Originally posted by Kain
What is this guy smoking? The Audi S4 has amazing handling! Just look at the video I posted.
What is this guy smoking? The Audi S4 has amazing handling! Just look at the video I posted.
06-24-2003, 01:51 AM
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white and whiter
Originally posted by AMG Fan
Do believe it. There have been several tests comparing all three cars in which the S4 comes out on top.
Do believe it. There have been several tests comparing all three cars in which the S4 comes out on top.
06-24-2003, 02:51 AM
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1996 C36 AMG, 1995 Volvo 850 Turbowagon
that'd probably be tiff needell....funny guy. drove in btcc (when it was still the premier touring car championship) and one race in formula 1. he looks like he has tons of fun doing his job...wish we could all say that 
