Shoreline Motoring S4 AvantIf you've ever had the pleasure of bombing down the autobahn, you'll quickly see that there is a pecking order to things; Mercedes, Audis, BMWs, and at the top, Porsches. But the experienced will tell you that the fliers to keep an eye out for in your rearview are the wagons, and more specifically, the Audis on steroids.
Shoreline's S4 Avant is a prime example of what to look out for. It's the big papa of the classic Eurowagon, subdued, tuned to the teeth and girded for battle.
Laymen wouldn't have a clue as to the nature of this beast. In fact, it looks like the average S4 until you stare into the 8.5-inch-deep OZ Superleggeras and see the six- and four-pot Brembos in front and back, a good indicator of what this car is capable of.
Its all in the details for this S4, from the wheel-color-matched roof, to the Bluetooth and Euro-spec navigation, Shoreline's car exemplifies high-end tuning and taste.-Jay Chen
Engine2.8-liter V6, dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, twin turbocharged and intercooledMods: APR Stage 3 turbo upgrade, lightweight flywheel, downpipe, exhaust
SuspensionMods: Intrax coilovers
BrakesMods: Four-wheel Brembo Gran Turismo assemblies
Wheels and TiresOZ Superleggera, 8x19BFGoodrich G-Force KDW, 235/35-19
ExteriorFactory RS4 front fascia
InteriorRS4 navigation system, Valentine 1 tire pressure monitor
PerformancePeak Power: 307 whpPeak Torque: 340 lb-ft
GP Moto/Garry Small Saab 9-2XYou laugh now, but this 9-2X was one of the faster wagons of the group. Sure it's not as pure as the others in terms of its European heritage, but all that's forgotten when the boost hits at 4000 rpm and all four Pirelli P Zeros madly grab for traction. Bang for the buck, this is the best platform for building a grocery-packed dragster. It's got a lot of space for its size and will leave more than its share of sports cars in the dust, as long as it has boost. It really is the little wagon that could.
With some minor suspension modifications, the 9-2X can also be set up to carve canyons with the best sports cars out there. Just make sure to take the groceries out first.
What we like most are its unique Saab looks. Lower it an inch and put on some plus-size wheels, and the benign Swede turns into a sleek black bullet with performance to match.
What it did lack was the refinement and build quality of the rest of the Euros. But that's why there's a little badge that says Fuji Heavy Industries and "Manufactured in Japan" under the hood. -Jay Chen
Engine2.0-liter flat four, dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, turbocharged and intercooledMods: Short-ram intake w/ K&N filter, IHI turbo, STi intercooler, stainless steel header, high-flow fuel pump, PNP Unichip, 3-inch free-flow exhaust
SuspensionMods: Vogtland springs, Tokico shocks, IPD anti-roll bars
Wheels and TiresSSR, 8x18Pirelli P Zero Rosso, 225/40-18
PerformancePeak Power: 246 whpPeak Torque: 252 lb-ft
GMG/APR Audi A4 1.8tq AvantAs far as sport wagons go, you can't get much better than Audi's formidable B6 Avant-it's got "classic" written all over it. Not only in regard to its well-proportioned exterior styling, but also for its diverse nature of being sporty, practical and utilitarian. And considering the high tunability of its 1.8T powerplant, a near perfect manual gearbox and quattro all-wheel drive, it's tough to find a better all-around platform.
Factor in a well-balanced mix of aftermarket tweaking and you'll find the Avant has boundless potential. This is certainly the case with this 2001 example. Equipped with APR's Stage 3 kit and prepped by GMG (Global Motorsports Group), the proof is, as they say, in the pudding.
Sport-luxury creature comforts and ample grocery capacity aside, the Avant comes alive when pushed and prodded. Especially so in the mountain and canyon twisties where its enriched horsepower, hard acceleration, intuitive steering, precise gear selection and nimble handling characteristics tickle the senses. This thing takes to the road like a bird on the wing, thanks in part to its nicely tuned Stasis coilover suspension, worthy BF Goodrich KDW (Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 225/40/18 for the track) tires and enhanced Porsche and S4 brakes.
The Sparco seats hold you nice and tight in the corners, yet allow for enough freedom for comfort. Reverberating off the canyon walls, the exhaust note is sweet. Not too quiet, nor too loud. It just purrs like a well-tuned motor should.
What's not to like? Hands down, this is one of the best-packaged sport wagons I've ever driven.-Robert Hallstrom.
2004 Audi A4 1.8T Avant Quattro
Engine1.8-liter inline four, dual overhead cams, five valves per cylinder, turbocharged and intercooledMods: APR Stage 3 turbo kit, front-mount intercooler, Nitrous Express intercooler mister, GMG 3-inch exhaust w/ Borla XR1 muffler, aluminum flywheel, GMG/Sachs clutch
SuspensionMods: Stasis coilovers, Hotchkis H-Sport anti-roll bar, GMG adjustable upper control arm links
BrakesMods: Porsche calipers, S4 cross-drilled rotors (f); S4 disc conversion (r)
Wheels and TiresOZ Superleggera, 8.5x18BFGoodrich G-Force KDW, 225/40-18
ExteriorS4 front bumper and side skirts, E-Code Xenon headlamps
InteriorSparco Milano seats, harnesses, steering wheel, GMG GT shift knob
PerformancePeak Power: 239 whpPeak Torque: 226 lb-ft