Audi's stand will be chock-full of new metal at the
Paris motorshow next week. Alongside the
RS6 saloon will sit the all-new S4, available in estate or saloon variants from launch.
Ensuring there's room for an even higher performing RS4 variant, the S4 models feature a sporting, yet restrained appearance. New bumpers and side sills are complemented by 18-inch alloys and LED daytime running lights, with the rear end sporting a modest boot spoiler and four exhaust outlets.
A mostly black interior is accented by aluminium inlays, which customers may have replaced by wood or stainless steel mesh. Leather lined sports seats feature the S4 logo, as does the multi-function steering wheel, though the latter does not have a flat bottom, as some of Audi's latest sporting offerings do.
Under the bonnet sits an all-new supercharged engine. In a bid to enhance the S4's environmental credentials - while not sacrificing performance - Audi has replaced the V8 engine of its predecessor with a new direct-injection 3.0-litre V6. Thanks to the belt driven charger sitting between the cylinder heads, the S4 has 329bhp and 325lb.ft of torque to play with, the latter produced from just 2,500rpm. Audi's figures indicate 29.1mpg on the combined cycle.
Putting all this grunt to the road is Audi's quattro four-wheel drive, with a 40:60, front-to-rear split under normal circumstances. The 0-62mph sprint takes just 5.1 seconds in the saloon or 5.2 seconds in the Avant version. Buyers may opt for a new 'sport' rear differential, which should further endow the S4 with a rewarding rear-led stance, along with the all-weather security of four-wheel drive.
Following the S4's world debut in Paris next week, we'll get behind the wheel of the car for ourselves late October (
check the Audi reviews page for updates) with European sales beginning in March 2009.
Shane O' Donoghue - 23 Sep 2008