Audi walked away from a certain customer in 2004. Well, that’s what any hardcore forced-induction protagonist will tell you of the late, great “B5” S4’s demise. That particular car was the first S-car to be based on the A4 sedan and powered by a 270-hp twin-turbocharged V6. Back then, the S4 was the step up for rally fiends – a grown-up, higher dollar take on the all-wheel drive turbo genre inspired by the World Rally Championship, which also spawned the likes of the Subaru WRX and the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO. Highly tunable via a rich aftermarket, one could drop a few g’s on an S4 and toy with supercars at the track. And, if you ask the B5 loyalisti, the magic was lost when Ingolstadt shoehorned its burly 4.2 V8 into the B6 generation S4 - faster out of the box, but also more of a GT and with less tuning potential. Going back to forced induction… well, that has everyone talking for sure… from the loyal B5ers to most anyone else looking for a more efficient take on high performance.

Full Story

IIRC wasn't the B5 S4 250 hp instead?

That is true. I'd still prefer the S mode on the ADS car too, but that's just me. You only get one Individual setting (per key) and that's the only way to program a relatively quick jump from sport to normal shifting. It'd be nice to override quickly the car into Sport as you can override it into a particular gear with the paddles.

BTW, the Sport Diff also gets one program (Auto I assume) when it is not paired with ADS).

No Avant for USA. They sold less than 200 last year. There's no business case.

Quote, originally posted by QUATTR0 »

Nice review George IIRC wasn't the B5 S4 250 hp instead?

You are right. I will fix.

Also V6T is rather strange. Def prefer 3.0SC tag. Another interesting mention in the article is how the S4 couldn't fit a turbocharger well enough. My question is then: Why does the 2.0 engine featured in the A4 have a turbocharger vs. a supercharger in the S4. I mean the engine fits the same way correct?

Awesome article btw. Looking forward to this car's debut in the next year or so.

Modified by tekieru at 11:50 AM 11/4/2008

It hits Europe as a 2009 model I assume as it hits Q1 next year (technically by American standards that would qualify as a 2010 if it's built in the 2009 calendar year). America gets it in the late summer/falll of 2009 and that makes it a 2010 model. This could be the reason for the difference between our calling it a 2010 and Edmunds callling it a 2009.

As for turbos. Well, for one the 4cyl isn't a V configuration and there's only one turbo, so packaging is not as tight. Also, we know a twin turbo V8 is coming - 4.0T FSI. It will go in cars like the A7 and A8. But placement in the smaller A4, A5 and Q5 models made the supercharger the better choice.

Any chance of getting those pics in a higher resolution for our wallpapers? Any video available? Thanks so much for giving us the scoop!

SF

I also wanted to delete the sun/moon roof option. Unfortunately the sun/moon roof is standard but I still wouldn't mind saving a hundred or so pounds.

George, to echo what was said before, are these pics going up anywhere in a bigger format, ie wallpaper sized, anywhere?

"lower it, oh wait you live in the north nvm"

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35320014@N08/

http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/Bourne

Register your US-spec R32

2nd that motion but hopefully not in hyper silver but gunmetal gray. Argh so tempting to wait for this car but gosh... its like 10K more than my future A4.

I would lose the V6T badge. I think the S4 in the grill and rear says it all.

- Rick

Yep, I'd loose the V6T badge. Sounds a bit out of place, not to mention the SC induction.

I've been dreaming of a used B7 RS4. But now I'm sure liking the looks and performance of this newest S4. I love Audi's restrained and subtle body cues. They really make the car. And the new engine and drive train are very nice as well. Can't wait to test drive one.

BUY MY JETTA!

I hope this isn't the start of the vr6 being phased out. that would be incredibly disappointing

The 3.6 VR6 will likely be phased out in the Q7. I don't have intel for Touareg or Cayenne. I don't think you have much to worry about though in the case of transverse fitment (Passat for instance) as the Audi V6 simply won't fit mounted East-West (longitudinally).

best tires ever.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/...ocQty=

The Audi V6 is the more efficient and the only longitudinal application of the VR6 is the 3.6 used in the Q7 and Touareg. In the Q7 at least, it's about to be replaced by the 3.0T.

I just find it hard that they couldn't make a longitudinal 3.0 or 3.2 liter VR6 and slap a turbo with FSI on it for less money than what they did.

Anyway, it looks like a great car. Lots of torque.

Quote, originally posted by spinnetti »

No sunroof delete? BOO! I ordered both my last two A4's that way, and don't want it any other way (weight, cost, headroom). Maybe BMW will take my money

Ok. I don't get why the "performance" models from VWAG come with a sunroof automatically. Seems the folks that buy these cars more often don't want a sunroof. It is a shame, however, that the Avant doesn't make it here. I would much rather have the Avant (with or without a sunroof, but with an old-fashioned clutch-in-the-floor manual transmission) over the sedan. There is something special about a stealthy wagon that kicks sss and holds the dogs, ski-gear, and 4 people.

Are the seats as comfortable and functional as the previous S4, or are they the uncomfortable seats I have in my 2008 TT?