A dependable 3.0-liter V-6 engine with 349 horsepower and an eight-speed automated transmission are found below the new skin. At the test track, the combination pushed the S4 quicklyin just 4.2 seconds to 60 mph and 12.8 seconds at 108 mphthrough the quarter-mile. The S4 had 0.95 g of grip on the skidpad, which is good but not very dangerous for sports vehicles. Even some everyday SUVs and family cars come close to having that degree of adhesion. In contrast, our long-term BMW M340i completed the dash to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and orbited the skidpad at 0.96 g when it was brand-new. However, the S4’s performance is not what makes it stand out; rather, it is how easily it executes.
LOWS: Lack of rear-seat space; tacked-on touchscreen; quiet, unexciting performance.
Although it doesn’t glide over curves like a Cadillac from the 1970s, the S4 does. In all but the toughest situations, powerful straight-line acceleration is guaranteed with the standard all-wheel drive. As vehicle speed rises, dynamic steering puts strain and weight on the flat-bottom steering wheel. Understeer is reduced and the rear end rotates thanks to a torque-vectoring rear differential. The S4 cruises along the road without being bothered by paving irregularities and responds to inputs thanks to the hardware and calibration.
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Audi S4: Is it turbocharged?
The S4 has a powerful 3.0-liter V-6 engine with supercharging that produces 333 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is the default, although a seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission is also an option. Through Audi’s quattro system, power is distributed to all four wheels.
Do twin turbos exist in the Audi S4?
The engine produces 347 horsepower and 700 Nm (516.3 lb-ft) of torque thanks to a twin-turbo and an electric supercharger. Mild hybrid technology with 48-volt architecture aids the engine in reducing its emissions.
Audi S4 has a turbo?
versions of Audi S4. There are three trim levels for the 2022 Audi S4: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. An eight-speed automatic transmission paired with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine (349 horsepower, 369 lb-ft) powers all models.
Which Audi S4 has the greatest speed?
Recently, Canada beat the record for the fastest Audi S4 B8 in the globe. The Audi S4 is already a quick car, but with a few AWE Tuning parts, they may undoubtedly become much faster.
According to AWE, Jeff Jones’ Audi S4 is the quickest S4 in the world after reaching the benchmark time of 11.61 seconds at 119.12 mph (191.8 km/h) on Saturday. The factory-built 2012 Audi S4’s 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine generates 245kW and 440Nm. You can bet your last dollar that this extensively modified S4 produces more more than 245kW even if neither Jeff nor AWE have disclosed its exact power output.
The Audi S4 has received upgrades like a touring edition exhaust, B8 3.0T resonated downpipes, an AWE Tuning stage 2 pulley kit with G.I.A.C. stage 2 performance software, a ColdFront heat exchanger, a ColdFront coolant pump, a ColdFront reservoir, and G.I.A.C. S-Tronic gearbox software. All of the aforementioned enhancements are available for purchase through AWE Tuning’s website.
As you can see from the picture, Jones also changed the suspension to have a lower and more hunkered-down stance and found a new set of wheels that are more suited for racing. He stated:
“I’ve driven nearly 20,000 miles with the AWE Tuning/GIAC Stage II upgrade. It is not only very powerful but has also shown to be quite dependable and fun all year long. My final pass of the day, which came after more than ten straight passes, was my best pass.
V8 Timing Chain Failure
The timing chain links the crankshaft and camshaft and regulates how the intake and exhaust valves of the engine open and close. This technique utilizes a hydraulic tensioner to keep the chain taut in addition to guides that hold the chain in place. A timing chain cover that bolts to the block surrounds the chain, keeping it lubricated and shielded from road grime.
Timing chains on 4.2 V8 engines frequently break. First off, chains need to be replaced because they naturally expand with time. The chain should typically last the whole life of the vehicle, but excessive engine heat buildup and irregular oil changes can shorten its lifespan.
Plastic is used to make the chain guides. Due to their close proximity to the block, they are constantly vibrating and heated. The plastic guides may crack as a result of this. Furthermore, if the tensioners malfunction, the chains will get slack and may jump teeth.
The 4.2 V8’s timing chains commonly break before the 100,000-mile mark and have even broken at 50,000 miles.
V8 Timing Chain Failure Symptoms
- cylinder malfunctions
- 17748 and P1340 engine codes
- the engine is rattling
- Slouch mode
The cam and crank gears typically begin to jump teeth when the timing chain fails. This alters engine timing and causes numerous misfires. The pistons and valves may collide if the chains leap too many teeth, severely damaging the internal engine components.
Timing Chain Replacement Options
Because timing chains fail, the Audi 4.2 V8 receives a very negative reputation for dependability. Although this is a highly frequent issue, it only accounts for a portion of the engine’s poor reputation.
The timing chain on the Audi 4.2 V8 is situated on the back side of the engine, as opposed to the front, where it is mounted on other vehicles. Because of this, replacing the timing chain requires pulling the entire engine, which takes a lot of time.
Furthermore, the components themselves are pricey; a complete timing chain repair kit costs over $4,000. Once labor is added, the cost of a replacement project rises to $8,000 or more.
Make careful you change your oil periodically to avoid timing chain breakdown. Regardless matter how frequently the factory recommends changing the oil, we advise doing it every 5,000 miles.
V8 Carbon Buildup
A direct-injected engine is the 4.2 V8. Gasoline injectors are used in direct injection engines to spray fuel right into the combustion chamber. Port injection is a direct injection substitute. Port injection involves spraying fuel into the intake manifold, which it passes through before passing through valves and into the combustion chamber.
The fuel passing through the manifold and valves during port injection helps clean them of accumulated crud. However, with direct injection, no highly pressurized gasoline is traveling through the manifold and valves to assist clean them out because the fuel is sprayed directly into the combustion chamber.
As a result, carbon buildup, a gunk-like substance, coats the intake manifold and valves. The intake system and valves will gradually become clogged by these lingering carbon deposits. This limits airflow and can cause a number of performance problems.
Removing Carbon Buildup
Carbon accumulation occurs over time. Except for misfires and rough idling, these symptoms frequently go unnoticed because the performance usually declines gradually over time. Even while carbon accumulation won’t result in any significant engine issues, we nonetheless advise cleaning the intake ports and valves every 80,000100,000 miles.
By the time you reach this distance, the valves and ports will have accumulated quite a bit of buildup. Cleaning them will undoubtedly improve performance and eliminate any sluggishness, bringing the automobile back to life a little.
The best way to get rid of carbon buildup is by using a technique called walnut blasting. By blowing numerous tiny walnut shells into the intake ports and valves with a shop vac, walnut blasting removes all of the buildup.
Preventing Carbon BuildupAudi 4.2 V8
While carbon buildup cannot be eliminated entirely, it can be minimized and its rate of accumulation slowed.
- every 5,000 miles, replace your oil and filter.
- Install a catch can for oil
- Clean your ethanol fuel injectors.
- Use only 93 octane or higher fuel.
- Drive occasionally for 20 to 30 minutes at a high speed on the highway.
V8 Variable Valve Timing Failure
Variable valve timing, sometimes known as VVT or Vanos, is a feature of Audi’s V8 engines. The system variable changes the camshaft’s position, allowing for more accurate timing of the intake and exhaust valves.
The system uses a VVT Solenoid to regulate the timing of the camshaft, which is triggered by oil pressures. These solenoids frequently develop clogs or buildup, which can lead to failure and result in timing and performance-related engine problems.
What model of Audi is turbocharged?
The 3.0T supercharged V-6 has made an appearance in the engines of seven distinct Audi models: the S4, S5, A6, A7, A8, Q5, and Q7. This engine is employed in the VW Touareg, the Porsche Cayenne, and the Panamera, so Audi drivers aren’t the only ones who like it.
Is the 4.2 V8 an effective motor?
The 4.2-liter V8 is another weird option for a dependable old Audi engine. On the one hand, it is highly regarded by Eurosport Tuning and Ward’s Auto. However, it was utilized by the problematic B7- and B6-gen S4s.
Similar to the EA888 engines, the 4.2-liter Audi V8 is plagued by complaints about timing-chain tensioner failure. Like the EA888, enhanced replacement parts are also accessible, according to RSW. More importantly, newer vehicles with this engine, like the RS5, R8, and B8 Audi S5, don’t appear to have this problem. The S5, R8, RS5, Q7, A6, and A8 tensioners are all designed differently, according to FCPEuro, which may account for this.
How quickly is an Audi S4?
The 2020 Audi S4 effortlessly exceeds the posted speed limit on one lengthy stretch of arid road where only roadrunners and tumbleweeds create any dust. It could only be slowed down by some stray pebbles that was left over from a flash flood.
There is much more to this strange location in the American Southwest. More than 40 degrees change from day to night in the temperature. Olives, dates, and oranges are abundant, and the hot, dry air is infused with an exotic scent by sweet-scented orange blooms. In places like Palm Springs, California, the prickly pear cactus can be consumed or used to make margaritas. In the midst of the desolate rock formations and the sun-drenched ground, festa, flora, and faunalife of all kinds bloom.
The 2020 Audi S4 is also lot more than it first appears to be. The calm small sedan differs nothing from the updated A4 in terms of appearance. The A4’s slats are replaced with a honeycomb grille, 18-inch wheels are standard, the door handles are body color, and the rear is identified by quad chrome exhaust points. The majority of the panels, with the exception of the roof, have been altered, and this includes a less noticeable rocker crease that climbs into the buff rear bumper.
The 2020 revisions are as little as the S4. The internal technology is quicker, clearer, and enhanced, but it is still recognizable, while the powertrain is the same.
Why then would someone spend $50,895 (plus $995 for destination) up front or possibly up to $60,000 after all the extras are included?
Since subtlety produces surprise. Additionally, the 2020 BMW M340i is not significantly faster than the S4, costs roughly $6,000 more, and has less advanced in-car technology.
With all-wheel drive, the M340i’s 382-horsepower 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 propels the vehicle from zero to sixty miles per hour in 4.1 seconds and up to 130 mph. The S4’s 3.0-liter V-6 engine with 349 horsepower can propel the vehicle to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph. They both have excellent 8-speed automatic transmissions, and they produce 369 pound-feet of torque.
The majority of buyers will choose the S4, which has adaptive dampers as part of the $2,500 S sport package and is lighter, lower, and broader than the M340i.
Even when it hits speeds higher than the desert’s peak temperatures, the S4 is amazing but hardly mind-blowing on such vast roads with no opposing traffic, turnouts, people, or anything but sand. When traveling at high speeds, the handling is stable even when faced with road undulations that are severe enough to warrant repeated “Dip” flags. The automobile feels like it could gain air off the hill as the front end squeezes down into the dip, causing compression that makes one’s stomach tingle. There isn’t. Instead, the S4 is able to regain speed because of the active damping in Dynamic mode, which maintains all four wheels firmly in place to ensure stability and grip. When the following dip shows a dusty wash out from a recent flash flood, the 6-piston red caliper front brakes, also included in the S sport package, stop the car effortlessly.
85 percent of the torque may be sent to the rear axle with the Quattro all-wheel-drive system in its base configuration, and almost all of that torque can be sent to either rear wheel with the S Sport package’s electronic limited-slip rear differential and torque vectoring. Although we weren’t able to track it to test its handling in turns, we know that the Audi stable has better track vehicles.
The S4 doesn’t get a chance to flit and dart about, sharp as the sting on a cactus, until we get close to town. Even during Palm Springs rush hour, daily driving in the S4 turns into fun.
Even after seven hours of driving and riding in Audi vehicles, I still want to keep going.
There isn’t much lag from a stop thanks to the turbocharger’s location between the banks of the V-6 engine. However, it pays to be forceful with the little but ideal paddle shifters when entering and exiting curves because otherwise, the 8-speed may hesitate to select the lowest gear. The transmission is swift and fluid, but if you push it close to the redline, it shifts quickly. In my afternoon with the S4, I turned it to Dynamic mode and forgot to adjust the settings once again.
Audi’s thick, flat-bottomed steering wheel, which has the kind of substantial reins you’d expect from a horse with twice the power, is standard equipment on the S4. Although it responds to inputs, especially when accelerating out of a corner or maneuvering past the stationary RVs that dot this terrain, it lacks the immediate connection to the road that I would like in a performance car.
That’s not a terrible thing, as the S4’s interior is comfortable both when accelerating and while cruising, especially with the 19-inch wheels on the Prestige trim. The new 10.1-inch touchscreen that is a component of the MIB 3 infotainment system is the focal point of the cabin and the interior changes for 2020. Even though it protrudes from the dash over the vents and has an aftermarket appearance, the functionality of this device elevates one of the greatest infotainment systems available to the best.
The middle console’s rotary controller dial is no longer there. The touchscreen now simulates the sense of buttons via audio and haptic feedback. Although it is simpler to operate than previous touchscreens, safety concerns remain as your fingers and eyes move through the menus. Thankfully, the icons are bigger, the design is clear, and the climate controls still have physical controls. The handwriting recognition on the screen is the most precise I’ve seen. It’s a real feature, not simply a marketing ploy.
Even better, Audi’s upgraded Virtual Cockpit, which features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, allows access to nearly all the information on the touchscreen. The MIB 3 system is 10 times more powerful than the previous one because to its CPU, which also makes it faster, clearer, and simpler to use. The Google Earth map projection is excellent and accurately represents what you can see from below or what you can’t see from above. Even the most tech-averse among us should find something to like in the various views, where the map can take up the entire display, be positioned in the centre, or be relocated to the edge. For every trip, I would choose it over CarPlay navigation.
I’m using the S4 to travel farther than Audi’s recommended route for yet another purpose.
The 2020 S4 is more than it seems as the sun sets and night approaches, which motivates me to keep the windows down, the music loud, and drive for a little while later, to who knows where.