Audi S4 saloon and Avant estate: European prices announced
Audi's all-new S4 and S4 Avant are fitted with all-new 354bhp turbo V6
European pricing of the new Audi S4 saloon and S4 Avant estate has been announced as the warm performance models of Audi’s perennial compact exec car gear up for launch later this year.
With the S4 saloon unveiled at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, the S4 Avant is tipped to be part of Audi’s 2016 Geneva Motor Show line-up.
The S4 saloon will be priced at 59,300 euros (£46,829), with the Avant estate starting from 61,150 euros (£48,290). Expect UK prices to be adjusted slightly.
The new S4 models get a new platform and ditch supercharging for turbocharging. The outgoing S4 used a supercharger to boost power from a 3.0-litre V6, but a new direct-injection unit in this one sees turbocharging brought in instead to improve efficiency. As a result power is boosted from 328bhp to 354bhp, with a 60Nm torque increase to round it out at a full 500Nm.
While those are fairly typical increases for an all-new model, don't forget weight is also down by around 75kg thanks to the new MLB Evo platform on the standard A4. That and the Quattro permanent four-wheel drive system means 0-62mph is dealt with in 4.7 seconds in the saloon, with the Avant estate reaching that speed two tenths of a second slower. Top speed of both is electronically limited to 155mph.
Those figures aren't quite enough to worry the BMW M3, but Audi will come in all guns blazing with the full-fat RS4 in 2017. For now, the S4 is considered a relatively warm rather than 'hot' saloon, and the mild styling upgrades reflect that. Audi itself admits the reprofiled front and rear bumper are subtle, but the quad tailpipes show the sporting intent.
The S4 claims a combined fuel economy figure of 38.2mpg and emissions of 170g/km, significantly better than the less powerful Jaguar XE S. It also ditches the dual-clutch transmission for an eight-speed single clutch unit, which supposedly cuts weight and improves durability.
Inside, there's leather and alcantara 'S' sports seats, illuminated door sill trims and brushed aluminium finishings, with features like the 12.3-inch 'Virtual Cockpit' digital instruments from the regular A4.
In terms of practicality, the S4 saloon has 480 litres of boot space, with the Avant estate providing just 25 litres more with the seats up.
What do you think of the new warm A4 models? Let us know below!
