Audi S4: Difference between revisions

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The Audi S4 is a high performance sport version of the popular Audi A4.

First generation (1992-1994)

Audi was re-configuring its lineup during the early 1990s, and introduced the S4 in 1991 (as a 1992 model) as the performance version of the re-styled 100 sedan. Despite sharing its basic structure with the 100, the S4 effectively took the place of the the 200 Turbo-Quattro sedan, which had been discontinued the year before.

The S4 was sold worldwide with a turbocharged version of Audi's 2.2 litre, 20-valve inline 5-cylinder engine developing 227 Horsepower @ 5900 rpm and 258 ft. Lbs. of torque @ 1950 rpm. A 280 Horsepower 4.2 litre V8 became available to European customers as an option. Quattro all-wheel-drive and a manual transmission (six-speed in Europe, five-speed in North America) were standard equipment.

After Audi dropped the 100 nameplate and re-badged the car as A6 in 1994, the S4 became the S6, although the only real changes to the model were minor cosmetic updates and the addition of a more powerful S6 Plus model to the lineup. After the 1st generation A6 was replaced in 1998 by an updated version, the S4 and S6 became distinctly separate from one another.

Second generation (2000-2002)

The second generation S4 debuted in 1999 (as a 2000 model)-- part of the B5 platform A4 line-up. Although the S4 was no longer available with a V8, its 2.7 litre, bi-turbo V6 engine was more than adequate, producing 265 hp (195 kW) in European trim. Slightly detuned to meet more strict US emission standards, the US variant produced 250 hp (184 kW) @ 5800 rpm and 258 ft. lbs. of torque @ 1850 rpm.

In North American trim, the vehicle could reach 60 miles per hour in a mere 5.5 seconds and had a governor-limited top speed of 155 miles per hour, making it the quickest sedan in the Audi model line at that time.

As in the previous S4, a six-speed manual transmission was standard equipment, as was the Quattro all-wheel drive system. A five-speed Tiptronic transmission became available for the first time as an option. The B5 S4 was produced through the mid-2002 model year.

Third generation (2004-2005)

The third generation, B6 platform S4 debuted in mid-2003 as a 2004 model. Despite having moved to yet another entirely new platform, the S4's most publicized new feature was its engine.

Replacing the 2.7 litre turbocharged engine of the previous generation S4 was a 4.2 litre, 40-valve (five per cylinder) V8 based on the unit from the A8 and producing 340 Horsepower @ 7000 rpm and 302 ft. lbs. of torque @ 3500 rpm, making it more potent than either the S6 Plus or RS2 and nearly as powerful as the B5 platform RS4.

With such abundant power on tap, the B6 S4 could accelerate with great rapidity. Official Audi product sheets indicated that the sedan version with 6-speed manual transmission could reach 60 miles per hour in a mere 5.3 seconds (5.6 seconds for the tiptronic version). With a quarter mile time of 13.7 seconds (13.9 tiptronic), this made the B6 S4 the fastest sedan in the Audi lineup and allowed it to compete with a variety of premium sports sedan offerings throughout the automotive world.

Like its predecessors, the model was standard with a six-speed manual and Quattro, the Tiptronic transmission remained an option. The B6 platform S4 was replaced by the B7 platform S4 in late-2005.

Fourth generation (2006-?)

The B7 platform S4 is the most recent version of the vehicle, having debuted in late 2005 as a 2006 model. Although Audi classifies it as a new car, the differences between it and the outgoing B6 S4 are primarily cosmetic. Audi has, however, made a few notable changes, including changing to new springs and dampers and re-calibrating the Quattro system to maintain a 40:60 front-to-rear torque split under normal conditions. The system is continuously adjustable though, and the torque split can change depending on road conditions, speed, etc... The new "fish mouth" grill, narrow headlamps, "L" tail-lamps and quad exhaust tips help distinquish the B7 from the previous B6 model.

Fifth generation (?2011-?)

Despite the recent release of the B7 platform S4 in 2005, it is not too early to begin speculation on the future direction of the S4. According to the industry publication Motor Trend, Audi plans on a complete redesign of the A4 for the 2010 model year. If Audi maintains a historically consistent platform strategy, this would suggest that the B8 S4 will be released in sedan-form for the 2011 model year, with a cabriolet version arriving for the 2012 model year.

More developments, especially regarding the proposed styling of the A4/S4/RS4, as well as more specific information on the mechanical/engineering aspects of the vehicle(s) will certainly arrive as the release year approaches.

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 Despite the recent release of the B7 platform S4 in 2005, it is not too early to begin speculation on the future direction of the S4. According to the industry publication Motor Trend, Audi plans on a complete redesign of the A4 for the 2010 model year. If Audi maintains a historically consistent platform strategy, this would suggest that the B8 S4 will be released in sedan-form for the 2011 model year, with a cabriolet version arriving for the 2012 model year.
-There is substantial currency to the view (widely held amongst the enthusiast community) that the mechanical and engineering direction of the B8 platform in general and the B8 S4 in specific is to be found in the current B7 RS4, the high performance limited production variant of the Audi S4. Informed by this latest release, as well as a more general awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of the B7 platform, the expectation is that, for the next generation S4 sedan (and B-platform in general), Audi will:
-** Place the gearbox to the rear of the transmission for improved weight distribution
-** Displace the engine to a position behind the front wheels for improved weight distriubtion as well as steering
-** Move the front axle forward
-** Reduce the front end overhang
-** Retain the recently introduced rear wheel bias for the quattro system
-** Introduce substantial electronic suspension modifications (in line with industry counterparts) for simultaneously improved handling and dampening. [S4 only]
-** Introduce the more advanced injection technologies of the RS4 V8 engine [S4 only]
-** Introduce the next generation (Generation V) quattro system currently in European development
-If historical trends continue to hold, we can expect with great confidence a larger (in terms of volume) vehicle; with fair confidence, we can extend this prediction to incorporate a dimensional increase in the vehicle as well.
-Increased brake horsepower and torque will almost certainly appear, although, based on the 'small sedan' objectives of the B-platform, it is unlikely that these gains will come from a transition to a V-10 engine -- the V-8 formula currently employed in the S4/RS4/S6/RS6 is likely to be retained.
-Weight gain is likely to occur, although the multiple weight reduction technologies which Audi employs (space frame et alia) will have a mitigating effect on this gain.
 More developments, especially regarding the proposed styling of the A4/S4/RS4, as well as more specific information on the mechanical/engineering aspects of the vehicle(s) will certainly arrive as the release year approaches.