Audi S4
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Audi S4 | |
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| Manufacturer | Audi |
| Parent company | Volkswagen Group |
| Production | 1991– |
| Body style | 4-door saloon, 5-door estate, 2-door convertible |
| Similar | BMW M3 [[Mercedes C-Klasse[Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG]] |
The current Audi S4 is a high performance sport version of the popular Audi A4. The S4 name was originally used for the sport version of the Audi 100.
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[edit] First generation, C4 (1991-1995.5)
| First generation | |
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| Production | 1991–1994 |
| Engine | 2.2 L 20-valve turbo I5 4.2 L 32-valve V8 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 105.8 in |
| Length | 193.4 in |
| Width | 71.4 in |
| Height | 56.1 in |
| Related | Audi 100 (C4) |
Audi was re-configuring its lineup during the early 1990s, and introduced the S4 in 1991 (1992 in North America) as the performance version of the re-styled 100 sedan. Despite being based on the C4 Platform and sharing its basic structure with the 100, the S4 effectively took the place of 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 L (2226 cc), 20-valve inline-5 engine developing 230 PS (227 hp/169 kW) and 350 N·m (258 ft·lbf) of torque. A 280 PS (276 hp/206 kW) 6 speed manual only 4.2 V8 became available to European customers as an option. Quattro all-wheel-drive and a manual transmission (five and six-speed in Europe, five-speed only in North America) were standard equipment, although a 4 speed automatic transmission was available as an option outside North America. The most common configuration 2.2L 6 speed offered good acceleration for its day, achieving 100km/h (62mph) in just 6.2 seconds despite a curb weight of 3384 lbs. After Audi dropped the 100 nameplate and re-badged the car as A6 in 1994 (in 1995 in North America), the S4 became the S6, although the only real changes to the model were minor cosmetic updates and the addition (outside North America) of a more powerful S6 Plus model to the lineup again using the V8 engine. After the first generation A6 was replaced in 1997 by an updated version based on C5 Chassis, the S4 and S6 became distinctly separate from one another.
Being the first in the S4 lineup, it is commonly referred to as the UrS4, coming from the German words Ursprünglich (original). Even 15 yrs after its introduction continues to attract a strong enthusiast following due to its extremely robust engine, advanced design, superb interior (even more luxury, space and conveniences than the later model), and very capable Turbocharger system, which can be readily and cost effectively modified.
[edit] Second generation, B5 (1997-2002)
| Second generation | |
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| Production | 1997–2002 |
| Engine | 2.7 L 30-valve biturbo V6 |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic 6-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 102.6 in |
| Length | 176.7 in |
| Width | 72.7 in |
| Height | 54.9 in |
| Related | Audi A4 (B5) Volkswagen Passat |
The second generation S4 debuted in 1997 as part of the B5 platform A4 line-up, although it wasn't available in North America until year 2000. The B5 S4 had a 2.7 L, twin-turbocharged V6 engine producing 265 PS (195 kW/261 hp) in European trim. The engine was slightly detuned to meet US emissions regulations, and power stopped at 250 hp / 258 ft.lbs. torque in North America.
In addition to the sedan, a wagon version, the Audi S4 Avant, was introduced into the lineup from 1998.
The S4 could accelerate up to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a mere 5.6 seconds and had an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph), making it both the quickest sedan in the Audi model line and among the quickest sedans in the world at that time. As in the previous S4, a six-speed manual transmission was standard equipment, as was the quattro all-wheel-drive. A five-speed Tiptronic transmission became available for the first time as an option. Production ceased on the B5 S4 in 2001 although it was still sold together with the next B6 platform generation through 2002 in North America.
[edit] Third generation, B6 (2003-2005)
| Third generation | |
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| Production | 2003–2005 |
| Engine | 4.2 L 40-valve V8 |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic and manual |
| Wheelbase | 104.5 in (convertible) 104.3 in (sedan) |
| Length | 180 in (convertible) 179 in (sedan) |
| Width | 70 in (convertible) 69.5 in (sedan) |
| Height | 54.8 in (convertible) 56.2 in (sedan) |
| Related | Audi A4 (B5) Volkswagen Passat |
The third generation, B6 platform S4 debuted in mid-2003. Despite having moved to yet another entirely new platform, the S4's most publicized new feature was its engine. It became available in three bodystyles for the 2004 model year: the S4 sedan, the S4 Avant wagon and a convertible, the Audi S4 Cabriolet.
Replacing the 2.7 L bi-turbo V6 engine of the previous generation S4 was a 4.2 L, 40-valve V8 based on the unit from the A8 and producing 344 PS (253 kW/340 hp), making it more potent than either the S6 Plus or RS2 and nearly as powerful as the B5 platform RS4.
Road tests conducted by American automotive magazines indicated that it could go from a standstill to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, and make it to 200 km/h (124 mph) in slightly over 20 seconds, although doing this led to fuel consumption dipping into single digits, considerably lower than the earlier models, leading to the addition of a $1,700 gas guzzler tax (combined 20.2 mpg) in the United States.
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. Enthusiast development on the V8 engine used in third and fourth generation S4 has lagged. None of the available modifications have made this car faster than the modified S-cars of previous generations, although the long discussed, intangible, supercharger kits may change this situation.
[edit] Fourth generation, B7 (2005.5- )
| Fourth generation | |
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| Production | 2005.5– |
| Engine | 4.2 L 40-valve V8 |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic and manual |
| Wheelbase | 104.5 in (convertible) 104.3 in (sedan) |
| Length | 180 in (convertible) 180.6 in (sedan) |
| Width | 70 in (convertible) 70.1 in (sedan) |
| Height | 54.8 in (convertible) 54.8 in (sedan) |
| Related | Audi A4 (B7) |
The B7 platform S4 is the most recent version of the vehicle, having debuted in late 2005. 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 adding new springs and dampers to the suspension 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 driving conditions. The new "corporate/fish mouth" grill, narrow headlamps, "L" tail-lamps and quad exhaust tips help distinquish the B7 from the previous B6 model.
Interestingly enough, German tuner Abt Sportsline decided to forego the V8 and use a modified version of the 2.7t engine in a special high-performance B7 S4 it created, named Abt AS4-R. This car now has a 480 PS (353 kW/473 hp) engine, and can reach a maximum speed of 300 km/h (186 mph), surpassing 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds. Changes to chassis include a stiffer adjustable suspension, with new stabilizers, 19 inch wheels and Dunlop SP Sportmaxx tyres.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Stephen L. Thompson. "Preview: Audi S4". Car and Driver (March 1992): 79–80.
- Arthur St. Antoine. "Magnum Force". Car and Driver (April 1992): 47–56.
- Abt Sportsline AS4-R
- AudiWorld.com Model Guide (Complete Historical S4 Specs)
[edit] External links
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