FOR a long time Audi has peddled a less extreme alternative to its fire-breathing RS models with the sporty S range, but Mercedes-AMG has recently got in on the act with its AMG-lite series that includes the C43 and BMW has introduced M Performance offerings that sit below the hardcore M cars. Brit brand Jaguar also has potent ‘S’ variants in the mix.

So Audi no longer has the market to itself, but we had high hopes for the S4 after finding the ninth-generation A4 on which it is based so good that we could barely contain our anticipation when the hotted-up turbo-V6 version was announced.

We risked setting ourselves up for disappointment with such high expectations, but thankfully Audi has over-delivered and somehow made the quickest, sharpest and by far best S4 yet the most affordable – and surprisingly most comfortable – as well.

From behind the wheel of an S4, Audi still has the compact executive express market all to itself.

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