Audi S4 Fith Generation
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Production | Nov 2008–present |
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Predecessor | Audi B7 S4 |
Body style | 4-door saloon/sedan, 5-door estate/wagon (Avant) |
Platform | Volkswagen Group MLB/MLP |
Engine | 3.0 L V6 24v TFSI |
Transmission | 6-speed manual 7-speed dual clutch 'S tronic' |
Wheelbase | 2,811 mm (110.7 in) |
Length | 4,717 mm (185.7 in) |
Width | 1,826 mm (71.9 in) |
Height | saloon: 1,406 mm (55.4 in) estate: 1,415 mm (55.7 in) |
Curb weight | 1,650–1,735 kg (3,638–3,825 lb) |
Related | Audi B8 A4 Audi B8 RS4 Audi A5 |

Compared to the previous B6/B7 S4 which used a 4.2 litre V8 engine, this latest B8 S4 utilises a smaller displacement 3.0 litre TFSI V6 engine, but now with the addition of forced induction via a Roots-style Eaton mechanical supercharger.
The previous B6/B7 S4s were the top-of-the-line models in North America, ahead of the 3.2L V6 and 4-cylinder 2.0T A4s, and competed with the BMW M3 which at the time had a high-rev 3.2 L inline 6. The 3.0 TFSI V6 engine replaces the 3.2 litre FSI V6 as the upgrade engine in the A4 and A6 lineups starting for 2009; both the 3.2 litre FSI and 3.0 TFSI were offered together until the end of the 2010 model year. The 3.2L V6 engine is no longer offered in the A4 lineup from the 2011 model year onwards, so the recently introduced B8 S4 is now priced 9% lower than its V8 predecessors, and slots directly above the 4-cylinder 2.0T base model. The S4 now compares more closely with the BMW 335i and Infiniti G37; since the discontinuation of the Audi RS4 (B7) Audi has not produced a direct competitor to the BMW M3 saloon.
Previously unavailable enthusiast driver aids are now optional rather than standard, such as active rear differential, active steering and ultra-quick electrically-adjustable shocks (both via Audi Drive Select Package). The differentials in the S4 are complex and heavy, but are key to reducing understeer, as the S4's weight distribution remains nose heavy like its predecessors. This allows the S4 to perform competitively with more balanced rear-wheel drive sport sedans such as the BMW 335i.
The S4 has sport suspension tuned for contributing to the vehicle's handling and braking. It is also meant for providing safety and comfort by keeping the vehicle's passengers relaxed and isolated from road noise, bumps and vibrations.
A new designed roadwheel is included on the B8 S4, an 8.5Jx18" '5-double-spoke S' design alloy wheel with 245/40 ZR18 high performance tyres. Optional 19 inch wheel and tyre packages are also available, sized at 8.5Jx19" alloy wheels with 255/35 ZR19 tyres. LED tail lights are standard fitment, along with Audi's now-trademark LED daytime running lights at the front.
The S4 along with the other B8 models received a facelift in early 2012.
Performance
Power | 328 bhp |
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Top Speed | 155 mph |
0-60 mph | 4.8 secs |
Torque | 440 Nm, 325 ft-lb |
CO2 Emissions | 178 g/km |
Euro Emissions Standard | 6 |
Miles Per Tank | 483 miles |
B8 powertrain
At the heart of the B8 S4 powertrain is an all-new, all aluminium-alloy 3.0 litre TFSI supercharged V6 engine (parts code prefix: 06E, identification code: CAKA), and like the rest of the B8 model range, now with Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI). This petrol engine displaces 2,998 cubic centimetres (182.9 cu in), and it produces a power output of 245 kilowatts (333 PS; 329 bhp) from 5,500 to 7,000 revolutions per minute (rpm). Torque is rated at 440 newton metres (325 lbf·ft) from 2,900 to 5,300 rpm. This high power output is achieved by utilising forced induction – and specifically, an all-new Eaton 'Twin Vortices Series' (TVS) Roots-type positive displacement compressor. This new supercharger features twin four-lobe rotors, which are axially-twisted 160 degrees. It is mounted on top of the engine, within the 'Vee', pumping air directly into the inlet manifold, and incorporates two separate water-cooled intercoolers. This new design of supercharger is said to reduce the noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) of the engine.
This engine is mated to either a six-speed manual transmission (identification code: KMR) or a seven-speed 'S tronic' DL501 dual clutch transmission (identification code: LHK), the latter with steering wheel mounted paddle-shifters for tiptronic gear selection, which replaces the Tiptronic automatic transmissions found in the B6/B7 iterations. The 'Audi quattro Sports differential' fitted in the rear axle final drive unit is available as an option.
Engine Size | 2995cc |
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Cylinders | 6 |
Valves | 24 |
Fuel Type | Petrol |
Transmission | Automatic |
Gearbox | 7 Speed S Tronic |
Drivetrain | 4 wheel drive |
Acceleration from standstill to 100 kilometres per hour (62.1 mph) takes 5.1 seconds[ for the saloon with manual gearbox, the Avant one tenth of a second slower at 5.2 seconds. The same dash to 100 km/h in the saloon with S tronic takes 5.3 seconds, and the Avant at 5.4 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 250 kilometres per hour (155.3 mph). With figures like these, the B8 S4 accelerates more quickly than its V8-engined predecessors.Audi of America claims that the version of the S4 achieves 28 highway miles per gallon, and a 0 to 60 miles per hour (96.6 km/h) acceleration time of 4.9 seconds with the manual transmission and 5.1 seconds with the S tronic.Fuel consumption is rated at a combined 24.2 miles per US gallon (9.72 L/100 km; 29.1 mpg-imp).Therefore, the B8 S4, unlike the V8-powered B6/7 models, avoids the US gas guzzler tax. The B8 S4's 3.0 TFSI engine also gets only 1 m.p.g. less than the base 2.0 TFSI engine. This is one of the most important reasons for Audi to downsize their engines, while keeping the output equivalent better, by using forced-induction such as supercharging or turbocharging.
The same engine is shared with the Audi S5 Cabriolet (though the 7-speed S Tronic is the sole transmission) and the 2013 Audi S5 Coupe. Detuned versions of this engine making 310 hp (231 kW) are found in the 2009-11 Audi A6 3.0 TFSI (C6) mated to a 6-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, the 2012 Audi A6 3.0 TFSI (C7) and 2012 Audi A7 3.0 TFSI, the latter two which are paired with an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic.
Related
Technical
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The basic equipment standard across all versions of the Audi S4 from 2009 to 2015.
- 3x3 point rear seat belts
- ABS
- Alarm
- Alloy wheels
- Audio remote
- Body coloured bumpers
- CD
- Climate control
- Cruise control
- Driver`s airbag
- Electric driver`s seat
- Electric mirrors
- Electric passenger`s seat
- Folding rear seats
- Front electric windows
- Front fog lights
- Headlight washers
- Heated mirrors
- Height adjustable drivers seat
- Isofix child seat anchor points
- Lumbar support
- Parking sensors
- Partial leather seat trim
- PAS
- Passenger`s airbag
- Rear electric windows
- Remote locking
- Service indicator
- Side airbags
- Space saver spare wheel
- Sports seats
- Steering wheel rake adjustment
- Steering wheel reach adjustment
- Traction control