Get your automotive data ad-free: become a premium member today!

THE NEXT AUDI S4 IS REVEALED – NO MORE V8

One generation after Audi hopped on the V8 train with the Audi S4 and RS4, to be joined later by the BMW M3, the current A4 morphs into an S4 with a six cylinder TSFI.

Explaining the technology behind the 333-horsepower, 325 lb-ft V6 isn’t easy. Says Audi: “The “T” in the 3.0’s TFSI nomenclature no longer merely stands for “turbo”, but rather for the concept of supercharging in general – extensive testing on the big V6 has proven the superiority of mechanical charging. In conjunction with direct injection it is far superior to twin turbochargers, both in terms of packaging and of starting performance and responsiveness.”

Audi expects the S4 to find almost 25 miles for every gallon in a mix of driving. You’ll be able to shift through six gears or opt for a seven-speed dual clutch arrangement. On the outside, Audi has added aggression to the already more-handsome A4, but it’s easy to complain that the S4 Avant image is far too A6-like. No, the A6 isn’t a bad-looking car. There’s simply something to be said for model lineups that show connections without becoming mini or maxi-size versions of each other.

Back to the engine, Audi seems rather proud of its tidy arrangement. “The compressor is so compact that it easily fits inside the 90-degree V of the cylinder banks, in place of the intake manifold,” says the release. The full gallery of S4 images is below. Oh, and since your curious as to the switch back to V6, Audi’s previous S4 used a 4.2L V8 that generated 340-bhp and 302 lb-ft of torque.