The S4 tried to erase any lingering doubts about Audi’s survival. This sports sedan was evidence that the German automaker was not just back from the brink but back with a vengeance.
The previous five years were disastrous for Audi, which saw its U.S. sales unintentionally decelerate from 59,797 in 1986 to 12,823 in 1991.
Most of the sales plunge was caused by the old 5000 model’s unintended-acceleration problems, which the federal government blamed on driver error. Audi was cleared of any mechanical liability, but the damage to the company’s reputation turned away buyers in droves.
Now, on the strength of an overhauled product line, Audi sales were recovering.
If you are in the market for a high-performance sports sedan, the S4 deserved consideration, along with such stellar vehicles as the BMW M5, the Mercedes-Benz 500 E and the new Infiniti J30t.
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