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Making its Paris Show debut next month
will be a new Audi S4 that gives equally high priority to thrills and
thrift thanks to a new six cylinder TFSI engine that not only decisively
outperforms its V8 predecessor but does so with a 30 per cent reduction
in CO2 emissions and 29mpg-plus fuel economy.
The completely new 3.0-litre V6 shares
its ‘TFSI’ designation with the six engines in the Audi range that
combine single turbo charging with FSI direct injection, but the
newcomer actually bucks the trend by using the alternative method of
forced induction – a compact supercharger chosen because it delivers
keener response than even two turbo chargers could achieve.
With the
compressor’s help the new unit generates 333PS and a healthy 440Nm
torque peak available from 2,500rpm right through to 4,850rpm, enabling
an appropriate 0-62mph sprint time of just 5.1 seconds for the manual
Saloon (Avant manual 5.2 seconds). Top speed is limited electronically
to 155mph.
Perhaps more unexpectedly, the
combination of supercharging and direct injection also works very much
in favour of fuel economy and emissions, the S4 Saloon offering the
potential to cover up to 29.1mpg – a 27 per cent improvement over the
V8-powered S4 – while emitting 225g of CO2 – 30 per cent less
than its predecessor (S4 V8 manual 322g/km).
As befits the latest in an illustrious
line of S quattro models, the new S4 will ride 20mm lower than standard
versions on specially tailored ‘S’ sports suspension and 18-inch ‘S’
design alloy wheels. Other familiar hallmarks of the series will include
the aluminium-look door mirrors, xenon plus headlights with LED daytime
running lights, special ‘S’ front and rear styling treatments and black
painted brake callipers bearing the S4 logo. For the first time in an
Audi model at this level, the S4 is also enhanced visually by
distinctive LED rear lights.
Inside, the ‘S’ theme is subtly
conveyed by sports seats upholstered in leather and Alcantara, and by
‘S’ embossing for the exclusive silver-faced dials and the multifunction
sports steering wheel. The already high specification in the appreciably
more spacious cabin can be augmented by options such as a 505-watt Bang
& Olufsen audio system, the Audi Music Interface with iPod connectivity,
adaptive cruise control, the Audi side assist lane change assistant, the
Audi parking system advanced and adaptive light swivelling headlamps for
improved corner illumination. The
new S4 and S4 Avant will open for order in November priced from approximately
£36,000 and will reach their first UK customers in April 2009. |
