Audi S4 News

Audi's just-updated A4 and A5 range will welcome their sporty siblings in October, with the brand today detailing the pricing and spec details for the new S4 and S5 range.The angry pair will arrive in Australia in October, with the S4 touching down in S4

Audi Australia is preparing a torrent of new RS and less-potent S models to launch this year that is expected to give a massive boost to its sportscar sales.No less than 12 full-fat Audi Sport models - RS-badged vehicles and the flagship R8 - will either

Audi Australia has upgraded its S3, S4 and S5 performance models with more standard equipment for 2020, two of which go without corresponding price rises.

Audi has revealed an update of its A4 mid-size sedan with tweaked styling, mild hybrid tech and a V6 turbo-diesel engine option for the S4.

Audi has continued to push diesel performance cars in Europe, launching a TDI variant of its S4 sedan and wagon.Using the same 255kW/700Nm 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel as the S6 and S7 TDI revealed not long ago, the S4 TDI is capable of a 4.8 second 0-100km/h sprint in sedan form (4.9sec for the wagon) and an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h. Those figures put it just 0.1 seconds slower than the petrol S4 and with the same top speed. As with the petrol-powered S4, standard fit is an eight-speed automatic transmission and Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system. Like the other recent performance TDI models, the S4 TDI uses an electric compressor that’s powered by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system for added acceleration and better fuel economy. Despite its performance, Audi claims that the S4 TDI will use 6.2L/100km of fuel on a combined cycle while emitting between 161-164g/km of CO2. By comparison, the petrol S4 uses 7.7L/100km and emits 175g/km.Stylistically the S4 diesel is identical to the petrol model with sportier styling than the regular A4, quad exhaust pipes, a range of alloy wheels up to 20-inches and on the inside, sports seats and brushed aluminium dashboard trim.Audi Australia is yet to comment on the availability of the S4 TDI locally, but we’d suggest that the S4 will remain powered by petrol only for Australia.  The only S-branded TDI model to be offered locally to date was the SQ5 diesel in the previous-generation version. The current generation SQ5 TDI model is expected on sale later this year to slot in alongside the current SQ5 petrol.

Audi's warmed-over S4 sedan and wagon combo have touched down in Australian showrooms.

The Koreans starred, the Japanese mounted a comeback, and One Ford hit the headlines with an extended family of Focus-based newcomers that it is certain to make a big hit in Australia. But it was one car and the commitment of its company chief that made the most impact as America fought back on the opening day of the 2011 North American International Motor Show.A big screen above the Audi stage linked into their representative at the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas where the German company will highlight it's Audi Connect technology. CEO Rupert Stadler says the technology includes a wi-fi hot spot that allows the sat nav to use Google Earth with Street View. Users will also be able to do hands-free Google searches and a heads-up display will provide for a swipe function similar to that used on iPads to turn the "page". There were also cars in the Audi stage including the updated A4 and S4, and a concept Q3 Vail to promote the launch of the small SUV on the American market. The Vail is basically a tarted-up Q3 with 20-inch wheels, lower body cladding and an aluminium bash plate underneath. Audi lags behind its German counterparts in the US but seems to be making good inroads with its diesel engines. Stadler says they now account for one in three of all SUVs sold.

Judging on all fronts now advances to the semi-finals, three cars in each case, which will be named at the Geneva Motor Show at the start of March. Then it is over to the judges to drive, assess and vote.

Like the previous generation B7 version, the new model will be revealed in sedanand wagon versions with the likelihoodof a convertible further down the line. And all of these are mounted on Audi's much-vaunted MDS platform. Unlike the older S4, however, the B8 does away with the naturally aspirated 4.2-litreV8 in favour of an all-new 3.0-litre blown V6. Though classified 3.0 TFSI - which usually signifies a turbo-charged direct injection mill - in this instancea supercharger is at play. Audi Australia spokeswoman Nadine Giusti says this is the marque's first use of this method since the Auto Union motorsport days of the 1930s. Versions of various power will feature in several other Audi models, including a 213kW jobbie in the face-lifted A6 range, which might make it here in the second quarter of 2009. But that will be preceded by the full cream S4 with peak output of 257kW from its 3.0-litre surpassing the 253kW in the old(pre-FSI) 4.2 V8. Total torque of 440Nm is there from 2500 to 4850rpm. Audi claims a 0-100km/h time of 5.1 forthe sedan and an 80-120km/h burst of just4.4 seconds in fourth gear. This formidable output will go to road through the latest version of quattro all-wheel-drive viaa seven-speed dual-clutch S-tronic gearbox. While the blown six provides an even progression of engines through the A4-based range and a logical step up to the eventualB8 series RS4 with its bent eight mill, the new Audi S4 is also a direct riposte to BMW's 335i models with their seamless 225kW/400Nm twin turbo inline six and newly acquired seven-speed twin-clutch transmission. Billed as Sports Automatic and available locally in the 335i coupe and convertiblefrom December, the transmission is derived from the superb M-DCT unit of the M3 and replaces the conventional Steptronic torque converter auto. While it's without the M3's 11-mode DriveLogic program, it does havea sports mode and launch control. “A key difference is that it retains a more traditional automatic gearshift lever,” BMW spokesman Toni Andreevski says. “It's similar to that of the X5 and 5 Series and has to be moved from Park to Drive, as opposed to the sideways action of the M3.” Audi's blurb takes a swipe at its Bavarian competitor: “Extensive testing on the bigV6 has proven the superiority of mechanical charging. In conjunction with direct injection it is far superior to twin turbochargers.” Well, so says Audi. Whatever the case, the S4 versus 335i will make one of the most keenly awaited face-offs of 2009.  

And for those seeking more power, there's a V8-packing S4 waiting in the wings.