The high-performance version of Audi’s small executive car, the A4, is called the S4. The original Audi S4, which was produced from 1991 to 1994, was a sportier variation of Audi’s 100saloon/sedan. Since 1997, the Audi A4 has served as the foundation for all succeeding S4 models. As the A4 has changed from one generation to the next, so has the S4.
The S4 has always received numerous improvements over its more mainstream 100 and A4 siblings, including a more potent internal combustion engine, larger improved brakes, a stronger suspension, larger wheels, and distinctive sheetmetal, design cues, and badging. The S4 is the top-of-the-line trim of the A4 family in markets where the even more potent Audi RS 4 is not available. [1][2]
All S4 variations have had front-mounted, longitudinally orientated engines, just as their normal A4 counterparts. The original C4 version used a 2.2-liter inline five-cylinder turbocharged engine, but the B5 generation used a 2.7-liter twin turbocharged V6 engine. The BMW M3 and Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG, which at the time featured a 3.2 L inline 6-cylinder engine, were in direct rivalry with the B6 and B7 versions due to their shared 4.2 L V8 engine, which was the first time a V8 engine was installed in a compact executive automobile. The B8 generation is in competition with the Mercedes-Benz C350, the BMW 335i, and the BMW 335i/340i xDrive thanks to its supercharged 3.0-liter V6 TFSI engine. [1] Instead of a supercharger like the previous generation, the recently released B9 generation is propelled by a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 TFSI engine. The Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG/Mercedes-AMG C43 4MATIC and BMW M340i xDrive are rivals of this generation. [3] [4]
All S4 models feature a transaxle-style transmission that is longitudinally located directly behind the engine, and like all Audi “S” models, the S4 is only offered as standard with Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive (AWD) system, which employs a Torsen-based center differential system.
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Since the model’s introduction in 1991, all variants of the S4 have been produced at Audi’s facility in Ingolstadt, Germany; they are, or have been, offered in four-door, five-seat saloon and five-door, five-seat Avant (Audi’s designation for an estate car/station wagon) body styles. In the B6 and B7 generation A4 lines, a two-door, four-seat Cabriolet (convertible) S4 variation was offered. The Audi S5 nameplate is used to advertise the “S” variation of the B8 Cabriolet, which is now manufactured using the A5 coupe body type.
In This Article...
Better: the Audi A4 or S4?
The quattro All-Wheel Drive and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission are standard on the A4. A turbocharged V6 engine powers the 2021 S4’s booming 349 horsepower and 369 lb/ft of torque, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The S4 comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission and All-Wheel Drive.
What does S stand for in an Audi S4?
The first RS model, the RS2, which was based on the Audi 80/90, was developed four years later, in 1994.
The German term RennSport, which means “racing sport,” is the source of the initials “RS.” These vehicles are compared to supercars in terms of both price and characteristics.
The “RS” (“Sport”) specification level of the standard model range of Audi is clearly above the highest performance “top-tier” trim level offered by the automaker. All “RS” vehicles are “halo vehicles” because they all introduce some of Audi’s most cutting-edge technical and technological innovations. Along with the R8, Audi RS cars are some of the most potent automobiles the company has ever produced.
While Audi “S” models (as of 2010) have been positioned primarily as engine improvements, Audi “RS” models are seen as direct challengers to comparable-sized hard-core sports versions from BMW M and Mercedes-AMG.
The interior of Audi “RS” cars is frequently sparse in comparison since the emphasis is more on on-track performance than luxury, in contrast to Audi “S” models whose interiors are well-furnished to maintain the feeling of sport luxury.
Is an Audi S4 a quick vehicle?
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.
Does the Audi S4 have issues?
On RepairPal, S4 owners have listed a great deal more issues. These issues can include the need to replace spark plugs, ignition coils, and oxygen sensors, as well as odd noises emanating from the sedan’s chassis. Fortunately, it doesn’t appear that there is a persistent issue that would be expensive to fix.
Is S4 more swift than A4?
The engine is a 2.0L Turbocharged Gas Inline-4 with an eight-speed automated or six-speed manual transmission and 220 horsepower.
The engine is a 3.0L supercharged gas V-6 with a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and 333 horsepower.
Audi RS49/10
The Audi RS 4 features a twin-turbo V6 engine under its hood on several occasions. The first RS 4 debuted in 2000 with a 2.7-liter biturbo engine.
This brand-new vehicle shares a lot with the Audi S4 and S5 models thanks to its 2.9-liter twin-turbo engine (they run a 3.0-litre turbo – the engine in the RS 4 is a smaller capacity and has a shorter stroke, but adds a turbo over the lesser S models).
But it’s not a V8. A 4.2-liter naturally aspirated engine with 331kW and 430Nm of torque was used in the most recent model preceding this one.
This new model still produces 331kW of power, but it does it between 5700 and 6700 rpm rather than 8250 rpm like the original V8. Additionally, the torque received a significant boost, increasing to 600Nm.
Not only has torque grown by around 45%, but it is now more evenly distributed across the rev range, spanning 1900 to 5000 rpm, as opposed to the V8’s lower, shorter-lived, and less-usable torque (4000-6000rpm).
And what about the crucial 0-100 km/h time? Whereas it was at 4.7 seconds earlier, it is currently at 4.1 seconds. The top speed stays the same at 250 km/h.
But what about the sound? Read the part below about driving, or even better, watch the video!
How quickly can an Audi S4 travel?
In Germany, I witnessed an APR-tuned S4 traveling at roughly 185 mph. She’ll easily reach 155 mph, so I’d estimate at least 170 mph. This past weekend, I took a short road trip and was pleasantly impressed by how steady and manageable the car felt at 120130 mph.
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.
The S4 went turbo when?
The best-performing model of the Audi A4 lineup in 2008 was the S4. It was unveiled as a 2009 model in late 2008, replacing the 4.2-liter normally aspirated V8 with a 3.0-liter supercharged V6.
With the release of the S4, the Audi’s battle for horsepower came to an end. The German automaker used the adage “less is more” to its A4 line, taking it for granted. By adding a light fixture,…
The Audi S5 is larger than the S4, right?
Audi’s attractive S5 coupe (on internal architecture known as B8 in 2007 as a 2008 model) immediately captured our attention with its Coke-bottle appearance, nearly ideal proportions, and superb 4.2-liter V-8 engine that produced 353 baritoned horsepower. With a 333-hp supercharged V-6 later added, we thought the automobile had lost part of its allure for men. The latest Audi A4 2.0T quattro, which recently finished second in our Big Test of compact luxury sport cars, is already known to have our support. Despite having the 252-hp turbo-four and all-wheel drive that made it the fastest of the group in our figure-eight test, we judged the A4 lacked the personality to claim the top spot. If the A4’s 0-60 mph time of five seconds didn’t make your hair stand on end, Audi has the solution: the 2018 Audi S4, which features a 354-hp 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 crammed into the same capable chassis but with an upgraded all-wheel-drive system, and the 2018 Audi S5, the other member of the B9-chassis stable.
Measuring Up
It’s tempting to believe Audi’s five-passenger S4 sedan and four-passenger S5 coupe are simply four- and two-door versions of the same car due to the many similarities between them, hence the double-car First Drive. A brief look at the numbers reveals that, in addition to the door difference, there is a 2.4-inch difference in wheelbase, a 2.1-inch length difference (the S4 is longer), and minor variations in width and height (the S5 is slightly wider and lower by about an inch). It’s important to point out that the S5 is also available as a convertible and a four-door sportback (hatchback). According to expectations, the sedan boasts 1.3 and 3.0 inches more rear head and legroom than the coupe. Additionally, it has a trunk that is 1.4 cubic feet bigger than a coupe.
There are no front-wheel-drive versions of the automobiles, and the all-wheel-drive system is biased 40/60 in favor of the rear, unlike the A4/A5 twins. This is due to the fact that they are meant to be above-premium sporty vehicles. Audi continues to withhold the standard Premium basic trim level from these models and only provides the Premium Plus and Prestige trim levels for the S4 and S5. The following features are included as standard equipment: an intelligent key (keyless locking and ignition), a sunroof, full LED headlights, taillights, and interior lighting, auto-dimming mirrors, Alcantara trim, 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, a rearview camera, low-speed automatic braking, and heated leather front sport seats with powered eight-way adjustment, diamond stitching, and power lumbar support. Satellite and HD radio, Bluetooth, and two USB connections that have standard access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also included. A 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system is standard on the S4 but optional on the S5. Both provide eight airbags and three-zone auto climate control to keep passengers secure and comfortable.
The S4 and S5 test vehicles we drove were identically equipped and trimmed Prestige models. A color head-up display, a top-view camera system, and Audi’s industry-leading programmable virtual cockpit instrument panelwhich supports Google Earth mapping or a constellation of displays/gaugeswere also incorporated.
New Engine; new transmission
A 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 engine drove the S4 and S5 quattros from last year, and either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission was used to change gears. For 2018, all of that has changed. A newly built 3.0-liter V-6 (now turbocharged) and an eight-speed automatic make up the new driveline. You can blame your “I don’t want to be bothered with a third pedal” neighbors for the fact that there weren’t enough people interested in a manual gearbox the previous time. But don’t worry, the new eight-speed automatic transmission shifts just as quickly and smoothly as the earlier seven-speed twin-clutcher. The same throttle-blipping, matched-rev downshifts are easily accomplished by it as well. The new engine chooses the so-called hot-V arrangement, where the exhaust manifolds feed the single twin-scroll turbocharger that nestles inside and intake is on the outside of the engine, displacing the same 2,995 cubic centimeters. The end result is an increase in output of 21 horsepower and a respectable 44 lb-ft of torque. Audi claims a 4.4-second 0-60 time, but we already beat the beloved V-8-powered 2008 S5 and the 2013 S4 with that kind of performance. The 2018 S4/S5 quattros are predicted to accelerate to 60 mph in less than 0.2 seconds. Additionally, fuel efficiency has increased concurrently. The preceding S4/S5 supercharged vehicles achieved combined mileage of 18/28/21 mpg on the highway, city, and combined. The EPA rates the new turbo eight-speeds at 21/30/24 mpg.
The same multilink front/rear sport-tuned suspensions, 8.5 by 18-inch standard alloy wheels, and summer tires are used for both the S4 and S5. Instead, the test vehicles had optional 19-inch wheels ($800) and the S Sport package ($2,500), which adds an adjustable/adaptive suspension system and red brake calipers clamping down on the 13.8-/13.0-inch vented standard discs. It also has a sport rear differential that is electronically controlled, which is more significant because it actively and visibly sends torque to the back wheels.
German Pointer
We generally reject systems that merely respond to vehicle speed, unless variable-ratio steering is coupled to the amount of dial on the steering wheel itself (more turn, quicker ratio). They frequently act unpredictable and respond incongruously. However, both of our test vehicles had Audi’s $1,150 optional dynamic steering systems, and while neither of them let us feel with our fingers how much effort the front tires were exerting to move the vehicle, they were both predictable while traveling at high speeds. (Parking speeds gave off the most bizarre vibe.) We would have been able to compare them had there been at least one test vehicle accessible without variable ratio steering. However, at speeds that would (and in some cases did) draw the attention of the local police, neither car felt heavy or darty, just firmly planted and eager. Through the friction-free wheel, the turn in is crisp and authoritative (although the S5’s turn in is a little crisper due to its shorter wheelbase and larger track width). We are aware that the electronic rear differential in the S Sport package contributes to this impression of being hunkered and ready. The torque-vectoring differential is quick to react and directs power to the outer wheel to help it turn in, but more importantly, it puts the power down when turning out. When you apply the brakes to leave a bend, the automobile simply sticks and travels in the direction of the front wheels. No tail-out rally antics are involved in this. Without the need for adjustment, everything is smooth and precise; tracking around corners seemed nearly nonevent-like. The upshot is that this enables a motorist to concentrate on their selected line or to avoid a large stone or a road killboth of which we did. We also tried deliberately ham-fisted hops into and out of the throttle to shake the vehicles up mid-corner. Just very slight understeer and complete neutrality were all that the car showed when off the throttle. These “S” automobiles seem to have a theme of “smoove.”
The Experience
The base seats were cushy and suitably firm and could be covered in Nappa leather as an option. The side bolsters provided support without becoming overbearing. The exhaust noise was fast and reedy but also rather muted and shy of what we’d call snarly when heard from within either of the cars. We’ll suppose that boisterous conduct will only be permitted in the RS versions. With a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6, the 2018 Audi RS5 made its premiere recently in Geneva, but we haven’t heard it yet. The multivalve dampers in the S4/S5 have different ride characteristics in the Dynamic and Comfort modes, and the Automatic mode is so intelligent that it doesn’t seem to be confused by too much. It’s also convenient to have two ways to choose the driving modes: using the MMI controller or, even more conveniently, using the toggle switches that protrude from the dashboard to cycle up and down between them. Road imperfections are handled in the traditional one-and-done manner in Comfort mode, whereas in Dynamic mode they have sharp edges and need additional body movements. Despite the increased throttle, steering, and damping reactions in Dynamic mode, both cars maintained composure, predictability, and readiness during their maximum assault modes.
The new turbocharged engine’s power delivery was surprisingly linear, just like the earlier supercharged V-6s. But unlike the previous engine, which produced its most torque between 1,370 and 4,500 rpm and its most horsepower between 2,900 and 5,500 rpm. With a higher peak horsepower at 6,400 rpm, the new engine has longer legs and a wider range of driveability. The new S4/S5 quattros acceleration is not as stunning and explosive as the current RS 3, no matter how quick they may later prove to be in testing. However, they feel unstoppable all the way up to the designated redline of 6,500 rpm and beyond. Do you remember how whooshing and forceful turbos used to be? Instead, acceleration increases in a sly “Whoops! I’m going 80?” manner. This more potent and efficient turbo-six feels strikingly comparable to the long-gone 4.2-liter V-8 powertrain, albeit without the bark and engine braking of the V-8. However, it lacks the auditory aspects of the V-8.
The Competition
With a starting price of $51,875, the 2018 Audi S4 Premium Plus quattro (354-hp turbo V-6 and all-wheel drive) sits directly between the Mercedes-AMG C43 4Matic and the current BMW 340i xDrive (320-hp turbo inline-six and all-wheel drive) (362-hp turbo V-6 and all-wheel drive). The Cadillac ATS-4 Premium Luxury outbids them all (335-hp V-6 and all-wheel drive). We’d say the Audi and Mercedes are quite evenly matched in terms of straight-line performance, interior sophistication, driver involvement, and overall confidence. The BMW 340i feels more dated, heavier, and sluggish even if it could keep up speed on a winding route. Although the Cadillac ATS has a top-notch chassis, it is unlikely that it would perform admirably if need to travel to places where the air is thin because it lacks a turbocharged engine. We’d actually need to bring them all in for a proper comparison test in order to make an objective decision.
The 2018 Audi S5 Premium Plus quattro, priced at $55,575, shares a nearly identical relationship with the Mercedes-AMG C43 4Matic Coupe and, to a lesser extent, the BMW 440i xDrive and the Cadillac ATS-4 Coupe in terms of performance, pricing, and overall execution.
We can say, however, that the 2018 Audi S4 and S5 quattros have both brought a new degree of internal and aesthetic elegance to what were already capable, if somewhat bland, cars in their prior editions. We particularly value the S5’s attention to surface details at a smaller scale and its readily recognizable hips and roofline. Look how the character line of the front fenders now conceals the cutline of the hood. Very cool. The new turbocharged engine surpasses both the supercharged V-6 and the formerly powerful V-8 in every measurable manner. It would be foolish to dismiss the new eight-speed automatic out of hand. When left to its own devices, it has excellent reasoning. If any, they are few and far between. The reflexes of the transmission in Dynamic mode or while forcing a cog up or down the scale manually are essentially identical to those of the majority of twin-clutch automatic manuals. These two B9-era S variations are finally posing a threat to the finest in their class and may even have established new standards in a number of areas.
These two enthusiast-oriented (just shy of RS hardcore) examples show Audi knows how to not only create consumer-friendly sedans (A4, A5, and A6) and full-on sports cars (TT RS, RS 3, and R8 V10 Plus), but also how to also fill in the middle bits with these enticingly priced, powerful, and poised newcomers. Audi is undoubtedly producing some of the best-looking, best-equipped, and most engaging hardware these days.