With a V-8 and a manual transmission, this wagon is one rare machine. Despite the present excitement over Audi's new Nuvolari, as the brand's first supercar since the much-missed R8, supercars have not, historically, been Audi's forte. Instead, the brand was more about enthusiast fare in the mid-range. There's a bit of erosion of that these days, with fewer wagons and more crossovers, but there was a time when a middle-of-the-road Audi was anything but average.
Such is the case with this find on Bring A Trailer, a 2008 Audi S4 Avant. Wagon capability? Check. Rumbling 4.2-liter V-8? Check. Six-speed manual gearbox? Oh yes indeed. Unfortunately, Audi won't sell you a car like this new, but this example's super-low, 3700-mile odometer reading makes it the next best thing.
View Price on AmazonThis car's naturally aspirated V-8 was truly something wonderful. Boasting a slightly unusual five valves per cylinder, it made 340 horsepower and 302 lb-ft of torque. Across town at a BMW dealership, the contemporary M3 was pounding out nearly 60 more horses, but the Audi's V-8 offered its power up with a creamy torque and broad powerband as compared to the revs required to hit the M3's peak rating. You might as well compare béchamel to Bavarian hot sauce.
Stirring up that V-8 and ladling out the torque with a stick shift is one of the most enjoyable driving experiences available, and here you get to share it with the family dog. Audi's vaunted all-wheel-drive gets the power down, the chassis offers up plenty of well-poised grip, and the compact wagon layout offers exactly no compromises to practicality.
It's enough to send you browsing for summer sales on ski and snowboard equipment, and start dreaming of blasting up the mountain to be guaranteed first at getting fresh tracks on the hill. You'll need a set of snow tires for that, but happily this car's Michelin Pilot Sports are fresh as of this year for summer cruising.
Interior niceties include heated seats for four passengers, upgraded Bose audio, a sunroof, and easy-to-care-for black leather. Eighteen-inch wheels hit the sweet spot as neither too showy nor too demure. Only true Audi fans will spot the signature silver mirror covers of the company's sportier offerings.
Source: caranddriver.com
