Audi has revealed the first pictures and details of the all-new S4 Sedan and Avant ahead of the car’s official debut at the Paris Motor Show. The most significant change on the new S4 is hidden under the hood as Audi ditches the 4.2-liter V8 in favor of its new 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine that made its first appearance on the facelifted 2009 A6. In the S4 Sedan and Avant models, the supercharged V6 engine has been modified to develop an output of 333 HP, up from 290 HP on the A6. -Continued
While the 3.0 TFSI is less powerful than the naturally aspirated 344 HP 4.2-liter V8 engine on the outgoing S4, the supercharger offers the V6 unit a higher torque output with power spread more evenly across the torque curve. In particular, the 3.0 TFSI delivers a maximum torque of 440 Nm (324.53 lb-ft) at 2,500 rpm and maintains this constantly until 4,850 rpm (previous S4: 410 Nm at 3,500 rpm). Power is transferred to the road via a six-speed manual gearbox or optionally, through Audi’s S-Tronic seven-speed dual clutch semi-auto transmission.
As with all sporty Audis, the S4 is equipped with the latest generation quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system that sends 40 percent of its torque to the front wheels and 60 percent to the rear. Where necessary, it can vary distribution within fractions of a second. The S4 also gets Audi’s new active sport differential that complements the quattro drive system.
In terms of performance, the new Audi S4 Sedan sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in just 5.1 sec undercutting its predecessor by half a second. In fourth gear, the vehicle accelerates from 80 to 120 km/h (49.71 to 74.56 mph) in 4.4 seconds. Like the previous S4, top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h or 155 mph.
Equally important, the new 3.0 TFSI is more fuel efficient than the 4.2-liter V8 consuming on average, 9.7 liters of fuel per 100 km (24.3 US mpg) in the sedan, and 9.9 liters per 100 km (23.8 US mpg) on the Avant, a significant improvement of 3.4 liters (26 percent) compared with its predecessor.
As for appearance, both the S4 Sedan and the S4 Avant get a few minor exterior modifications that include the special aprons, the chromed grille, the aluminum-look exterior mirrors, the 18-inch S-design light-alloy wheels, the side rocker panels, the restrained spoiler at the rear and the quadruple exhaust system. Inside the S4s feature a set of sport seats up front while the instrument panel features gray dials with white needles. Audi will begin delivery of its new S4 models in March 2009.
