Autoweek's take on the B8 S4 announcement

[Anthony]

New Audi S4 piles on technology and performance
By Greg Kable, Autoweek



Here's the bottom line: Audi has thrown just about every piece of new technology it has at the new S4, revealed here officially ahead of its public debut at next month's Paris motor show.

The upshot? A car that comprehensively outperforms its predecessor and leaves the German carmaker with one obvious problem: how to distance the upcoming RS4 enough to ensure that it still is regarded as the flagship of the A4 lineup when it arrives in 2010.

The big news first: The last S4's five-valve-per-cylinder 4.2-liter V8 is history. This model is powered by a brand-new supercharged four-valve-per-cylinder 3.0-liter V6 direct-injection gasoline unit, which also is earmarked for a facelifted version of the S5 due out next year. With 333 hp, the new 90-degree engine is down 11 hp on its well-received predecessor.

But before you go away and think Audi has caved in to those regulatory spoilsports who always seem to be demanding a curb on performance, consider this: With 325 lb-ft, the new unit also boasts a useful 23 lb-ft more torque. What's more, it's accessible from 2,500 rpm, some 1,000 rpm lower than before, and extends all the way to 4,850 rpm. The result? More usable performance at any given moment. Full Article

[SoCalS4Avant]

Thanks for posting up Anthony!

[quattro.it]

This may be a worthy successor to my B7. I know chipped 2.0T compared to s/c V6 is not even close. But hey, I really like my car and it is one of the more desireable examples. If Audi has made the S4 engine as smooth as the new 2.0T, and it sounds like they have, then it's going to be a beast.

[GO-GOTEKNO]

Im excited to see this come into production

[4-tified]

The "S4" needs to lower in price, or go away.
Let the RS4 be the M3 competition as it really is now.
The problem: The M3 competes with the RS4, but so far before the new V8 M3, the RS4 costs more.

The new V6 supercharged engine belongs in the V6 version of the A4 with the power to price point with the competition. Audi price point vs performance is out of whack.

[YMJ]

now featuring a nominal 40/60 apportioning of drive as well as a torque-vectoring planetary drive device at the rear. Referred to by Audi as an active-sport differential, it continuously varies the drive across the rear wheels to counter understeer and/or oversteer, taking less than 100 milliseconds to react, according to Audi

can someone pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease explain in detail what that means!

and no smart alecks.. i really want a proper answer!

thanks! :D

[Daft]

can someone pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease explain in detail what that means!

and no smart alecks.. i really want a proper answer!

thanks! :D

From Jalopnik:

"The active sport differential is a new type of rear-axle differential. A superposition gear was added to both the left and right sides of the classic differential; it rotates ten percent faster than the wheel’s drive shaft.

Both components can be connected through a multidisk clutch, which runs in an oil bath, and is operated by an electro-hydraulic actuator. In most driving situations, the clutch can divert almost the complete input torque to one wheel in this way.

Controlled by an array of sensors and a high-speed computer, the active sport differential needs less than 100 milliseconds to redirect power. Drivers can adapt their manner of driving, along with characteristics for the load changes, to three performance maps. Unlike competitors’ systems, the Audi sport differential is just as effective when the engine is driving the wheels as it is on the overrun or when the car is coasting freely."

[RudyH]

The "S4" needs to lower in price, or go away.
Let the RS4 be the M3 competition as it really is now.
The problem: The M3 competes with the RS4, but so far before the new V8 M3, the RS4 costs more.

The new V6 supercharged engine belongs in the V6 version of the A4 with the power to price point with the competition. Audi price point vs performance is out of whack.

+1,000

I can own an A3 2.0T Quattro, or save $5,000 and get a 135i. Hmmm

This is just a quick example, I'm sure a 335i vs A4 3.2 is another fine example.

[audirs]

sooooooo whos gonna be the first tuner to twin charge this beast

i got my money on MTM

[YMJ]

+1,000

I can own an A3 2.0T Quattro, or save $5,000 and get a 135i. Hmmm

This is just a quick example, I'm sure a 335i vs A4 3.2 is another fine example.

as of right now.. i LOVE the new S4! supercharged or tt, wont matter!

they have put all the best technology at their desposal on this car!

by the way:

Audi also puts 50-to-75-mph in-gear acceleration at 4.4 seconds

which is half a second faster than the new m3!!!!!!!

and this is WITHOUT a tune guys!!!

i think they did great! i cant wait to see the new RS4!

[vjma]

If Audi has made the S4 engine as smooth as the new 2.0T, and it sounds like they have, then it's going to be a beast.

Have you tried any of the 3.2V6 since 2005? I doubt you have because in terms of smoothness the V6 is so much better than the EA888 2.0T.

[tschmale]

You have got to love the rant posted below the article. Guy complains about having to replace rear rotors at 80k miles. I don't know about the rest of you but I have never gotten more than 50k out of any brakes on any car I've owned.

[jdmnomore]

Audi knows what they are doing. The highlight isnt in the hp or tq figures but the efficiency of the motor. It took some real balls to put this platform out there as a predecessor to the all mighty v8 and im sure they are confident in its overall performance and competiveness. Im sure the asking prices on these S4s will not be justifiable but this motor certainly doesnt belong in an A4 and further more there is no question this car will be far more refined then the 335/135i. The question is will one be willing to spend 10 to 20 grand more in the name of refinement when clearly the BMWs are the better bargains as far as price is concerned. Heck by the time this car hits the salesfloors C63s, RS4s, and M3s will be available for between $45-55 grand im sure.

[quattro.it]

Have you tried any of the 3.2V6 since 2005? I doubt you have because in terms of smoothness the V6 is so much better than the EA888 2.0T.

Uh, yeah lots of them, B7, B8, A4, A5, A6. Have you driven the B8 2.0T? I doubt you have because it is much smoother than the B7 2.0T. KMA.

[4-tified]

as of right now.. i LOVE the new S4! supercharged or tt, wont matter!

they have put all the best technology at their desposal on this car!

by the way:



which is half a second faster than the new m3!!!!!!!

and this is WITHOUT a tune guys!!!

i think they did great! i cant wait to see the new RS4!

If you option the S4 with all that fine Audi technology, the price is going to skyrocket just like an A4 2.0T with all the techno gee-whiz.

Here's an idea; build the car to perform with or better than the competition without pricing itself out of the market!

I'll be the S4 will cost more than an M3 and it won't be able to beat it in all around performance.
The RS4, hopefully, will. But, again, the price points are our of whack.

[4-tified]

as of right now.. i LOVE the new S4! supercharged or tt, wont matter!

they have put all the best technology at their desposal on this car!

by the way:



which is half a second faster than the new m3!!!!!!!

and this is WITHOUT a tune guys!!!

i think they did great! i cant wait to see the new RS4!

That test number always depends on the actual gearing, especially if they are doing a top gear accel test.
I've never liked those at speed tests as a comparison between cars. It's an ok test for the actual itself to test the engine flexibility compared with it's gear ratio tuning.
However, overall it means nothing to say it best the M3 in that narrow range.

No self respecting driver, with a manual or selectable trans, leaves the trans in the inappropriate gear for acceleration. I don't try to pass on the highway going 70mph and flooring it in 6th. Kinda pointless.

[4-tified]

Audi knows what they are doing. The highlight isnt in the hp or tq figures but the efficiency of the motor. It took some real balls to put this platform out there as a predecessor to the all mighty v8 and im sure they are confident in its overall performance and competiveness. Im sure the asking prices on these S4s will not be justifiable but this motor certainly doesnt belong in an A4 and further more there is no question this car will be far more refined then the 335/135i. The question is will one be willing to spend 10 to 20 grand more in the name of refinement when clearly the BMWs are the better bargains as far as price is concerned. Heck by the time this car hits the salesfloors C63s, RS4s, and M3s will be available for between $45-55 grand im sure.

A supercharged version of the V6 in the A4, doesn't belong in the A4? What?
The 3.0TT from BMW is a monster engine and belongs in the more powerful 3.
BMW understands that it's standout 3 is the M3 and it gets the balls out engine.
Still, the TT 3.0 builds on the already nice non TT 3.0.
Audi WOULD benefit from understanding this.

The 2.0T will easily compete with C300, IS250, 328i.
But the V6 3.2 will still be lacking running against Germanys drivers car maker.
Audi seems more to try and compete with MB, not BMW.
It seems to pride itself on excellent design and gee-whiz gadgets, for a HIGH price.
I think I'm getting over Audi's strategy.
Beautiful cars, but the costs with the higher performing models doesn't appeal to me.

[Quattroownsyou]

Hopefully with bolt-ons the everyday driven sc v6 will be tuneable to 380-400whp...i'd be happy with that.

[YMJ]

That test number always depends on the actual gearing, especially if they are doing a top gear accel test.
I've never liked those at speed tests as a comparison between cars. It's an ok test for the actual itself to test the engine flexibility compared with it's gear ratio tuning.
However, overall it means nothing to say it best the M3 in that narrow range.

No self respecting driver, with a manual or selectable trans, leaves the trans in the inappropriate gear for acceleration. I don't try to pass on the highway going 70mph and flooring it in 6th. Kinda pointless.

true and agreed!

all i was trying to say is the new s4 is performing pretty well!!

anyone know the price of the new s4?

[Anthony]

true and agreed!

all i was trying to say is the new s4 is performing pretty well!!

anyone know the price of the new s4?

They're saying it'll be priced about the same as the outgoing model (mid-$40,000s base). And that it will go on sale in fall of '09.

[MTLA4]

A supercharged version of the V6 in the A4, doesn't belong in the A4? What?
The 3.0TT from BMW is a monster engine and belongs in the more powerful 3.
BMW understands that it's standout 3 is the M3 and it gets the balls out engine.
Still, the TT 3.0 builds on the already nice non TT 3.0.
Audi WOULD benefit from understanding this.

The 2.0T will easily compete with C300, IS250, 328i.
But the V6 3.2 will still be lacking running against Germanys drivers car maker.
Audi seems more to try and compete with MB, not BMW.
It seems to pride itself on excellent design and gee-whiz gadgets, for a HIGH price.
I think I'm getting over Audi's strategy.
Beautiful cars, but the costs with the higher performing models doesn't appeal to me.

Youre right. The 3.2 is the worst 6 cylinder in its category its a shame. Audi should have put the Passat 3.6 engine in the. The v6 a4 should compete with the 335,is350,c350 while the 2.0T witht the bmw 323(canada)c300,is250. On top of that Audi has the worst resale value so no go for me.

[Tiesto]

A supercharged version of the V6 in the A4, doesn't belong in the A4? What?
The 3.0TT from BMW is a monster engine and belongs in the more powerful 3.
BMW understands that it's standout 3 is the M3 and it gets the balls out engine.
Still, the TT 3.0 builds on the already nice non TT 3.0.
Audi WOULD benefit from understanding this.

The 2.0T will easily compete with C300, IS250, 328i.
But the V6 3.2 will still be lacking running against Germanys drivers car maker.
Audi seems more to try and compete with MB, not BMW.
It seems to pride itself on excellent design and gee-whiz gadgets, for a HIGH price.
I think I'm getting over Audi's strategy.
Beautiful cars, but the costs with the higher performing models doesn't appeal to me.

Yeah except the gee-whiz MMI is using the same old technology as when it was introduced 6+ years ago! It has less features than the current RSN-E.