The Audi S4 is a high-performance line based on the Audi A4 model, originally a variant of the Audi 100. While the compact executive or D-segment class Audi A4 always handled well and offered adequate power, S4 takes it to the next level with a more powerful engine, larger brakes and wheels, as well as firmer suspension. Longitudinally-oriented engines came with transmission mounted at their rear, together with the Torsen centre differential system in conjunction with Audi's quattro four-wheel-drive system. The Audi S4 has been produced in Ingolstadt, Germany as a four-door sedan or five-door Avant (estate), as well as convertible with the B6 and B7 generation A4 since 1991. 

S4 C4 (1991-1994)

The first of the S4 was based on the Audi 100, which was later renamed as Audi A6. Power came from a 2.2L 20-valve Inline-Five petrol engine with a turbocharger, intercooler and  Bosch’s Motronic electronic engine control unit. It developed 169kW (227hP) at 5900rpm and 350Nm of torque at 1950rpm. With the 5-speed manual gearbox, it could achieve 0-100km/h acceleration in 6.2 seconds. 

Other transmission options include a 6-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic. Quattro-drive and Torsen system were set as a standard at this point, with automatically biasing centre differential with a manual gearbox or transfer box with automatic transmission. 

S4/S6 Plus variant came with a 4.2L 206kW (276hp) all-aluminium alloy V8 engine with 6-speed manual gearbox, in both the Avant and sedan body types.

S4 B5 (1997-2002)

Due to Audi’s fleet-wide nomenclature change, the de facto second generation of Audi S4 now accompanies the first generation of Audi A4. To avoid any confusion in this article, the only mention of generations will be of Audi A4 lineup, while the S4 will use the internal code of the appropriate generation. 

The arrival of the B5-based Audi S4 Quattro came with the release of a facelift for the A4 in 1997, initially as a sedan, with the Avant version arriving the following year. 

Power came from a 2.7L V6, 30-valve twin-turbo petrol engine with a cylinder block made out of cast iron mated to two aluminium alloy heads. It produced 195kW (261hp) at 5800rpm and 400Nm of torque at 1850rpm. Bosch Motronic electronic engine control unit brought emissions down to the European standard, while it had to be slightly detuned to meet the US emissions criteria. Transmission choices include a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard, or an optional 5-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, both paired with Torsen T-2 quattro drive. Top speed has been electronically limited to 250km/h, while it could accelerate to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds.

The B5 S4 was available in standard A4 colors, with Imola Yellow and Nogaro Blue being exclusive to the S4. Optional equipment included Bose sound system, Audi Navigation, 6-disc CD changer, and Motorola hands-free phone. Leather seats were standard and available in Onyx or Silver color. 

Premium Package featured sunroof, auto-dimming mirrors, and a Homelink transmitter. 

Cold Weather Package featured heated front seats, outside mirrors, and expandable ski sack. 

Enhanced Sport Package featured Alcantara seat inserts, silver aluminium or carbon fibre trim, and aluminium mirror housing. 

S4 B6 (2003-2005)

Initially available in Avant and sedan body types, in 2004 the S-Line received its first convertible in a two-door, four-seat variant. The strongest point of the new S4 was its all-aluminium alloy 4.2L 40-valve V8 petrol engine based on the one equipped in Audi A8. Power output was rated at 253kW (339hp) at 7000rpm and 410Nm of torque at 3500rpm. Like before, Bosch’s Motronic ECU managed the engine with the addition of Bosch’s ‘E-gas’ electronic throttle. 

A choice between six-speed manual Getrag gearbox and six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission paired with Torsen T-2 quattro delivered power to all wheels. 

Externally, S4 is subtly differentiated from the regular A4 with vertical line grille, aluminium mirrors, lower door trims and S4 badging. On the inside, fully-electric Recaro seats are fitted both in the rear and front, along with S4 motive badging and design.

Australian models came equipped with: 

Dual Front Airbags, ABS, Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones, Alarm System/Remote Anti Theft, 18-Inch Alloy Wheels, Brake Assist, Cruise Control, Central Locking Remote Control, Diff Locks, EBD, ESP, Front Fog Lights, Head Airbags, Engine Immobiliser, Leather Steering Wheel, Leather Upholstery, Rear Parking Distance Control, Power front seats, Power Mirrors, Power Steering, Power Windows, Rear Spoiler, Side Front Airbags, Sport Seats, Sound System with 10 Speakers, Premium Sound System, Sports Suspension, Trip Computer, Xenon Headlights

S4 B7 (2005-2009)

Much like the A4, it is based on B7. S4 is primarily the same model as B6, with mostly cosmetic changes to differentiate them. The same 4.2-litre V8 engine powers it, producing 253kW (339hp) and 410Nm of torque. Springs and dampers have been changed, and from 2007 comes with Torsen T-3 centre differential and Bosch ESP 8.0 Electronic Stability Programme. Transmission remains the same, a choice between 6-speed manual Getrag gearbox, and 6-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission.

To help distinguish it from the B6 model, it has a new single-frame trapezoidal grille, bi-Xenon headlamps, L-shaped rear lights, two pairs of two exhaust pipes, and V8 badging.

Australian models came equipped with:

Dual Front Airbags, ABS, Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones, Alarm System/Remote Anti Theft, 18-Inch Alloy Wheels, Brake Assist, Cruise Control, Central Locking Remote Control, Diff Locks, EBD, ESP, Front Fog Lights, Head Airbags, Engine Immobiliser, Leather Steering Wheel, Leather Upholstery, Parking Distance Control Rear, Power Mirrors/Steering/Windows, Rear Spoiler, Side Front Airbags, Sport Seats, Sound System with 10 Speakers, Premium Sound System, Sports Suspension, Trip Computer, Xenon Headlights

S4 B8 (2009-2016) 

With the B8 S4’s arrival in November of 2008, Audi moved the convertible into the S5 lineup, with S4 now available in sedan and Avant variants only. The large V8 was replaced by a supercharged, all-aluminium 3.0L TFSI V6 petrol engine with Fuel Stratified Injection. It produces 245kW (329hp) at 5500-7000rpm and 440Nm of torque at 2900-5300rpm, a high power output due to the Eaton 'Twin Vortices Series' Roots-type supercharger. The transmission includes a choice of 6-speed manual gearbox or 7-speed Dual-Clutch S-Tronic automatic transmission. The B8 S4 is capable of 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.1 seconds and a top speed electronically limited to 250km/h. 

Australian models came equipped with:

Dual Front Airbags Package, Anti-lock Braking, Air Con + Climate Control Multi-Zone, 18-Inch Alloy Wheels, Brake Assist, Cruise Control, Central Locking Remote Control, Daytime Running Lights - LED, Dusk Sensing Headlights, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Electronic Differential Lock, Electronic Stability Program, Fog Lights - Front, Head Airbags, Engine Immobiliser, Keyless Entry, and Drive, Leather Steering Wheel, Leather Upholstery, Multi-Function Steering Wheel, Parking Distance Control (front and rear), Power front seats, Power Mirrors With Indicators, Power Steering, Power Windows, Radio CD with 10 Speakers, Rain Sensing Wipers, Side Airbags, Satellite Navigation, Seatbelts - Pretensioners Front Seats, Sport Seats, Sports Suspension, Trip Computer, Traction Control System, Voice Recognition System, Xenon Headlights

S4 B9 (2017-present)

Audi announced the latest S4 as early as the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. It arrived in 2017 with a new exterior design featuring pronounced lines and a more angular look, new wheel design, and a brand new engine. Powered by a 3.0L turbocharged V6 petrol engine with Fuel Stratified Injection, S4 delivers 264kW (354hp), 0-100km/h acceleration in 4.4 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h. This engine is paired with an 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission.

With the 2019 facelift, the European market received a 3.0L turbocharged V6 diesel engine with a power output of 257kW (345hp), while other markets retained the petrol option.

Australian models came equipped with: 

Climate Control - 3 Zone, Automatically Activated Hazard Lights, Dual Front Airbag Package, Anti-lock Braking, Airbag - Window, Active High Beam Control, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Ambient Interior Lighting, Active Park Assist, Anti-Slip Regulation, Automatic Stop/Start, Anti-theft Wheel Bolts, AUX/USB Input Socket, 19-Inch Alloy Wheels, Brake Assist, Bottle Holders (Front and Rear), Blind Spot Monitoring, Bluetooth Connectivity, City Brake Support Forward, Cruise Control Intelligent/Active, Cup Holders - Front Seats, Cross Traffic Recognition, Digital Audio Broadcast Radio, Dynamic Damper/Damping Control, Driver Fatigue Detection, Driver Mode Selection, Daytime Running Lights - LED, Electronic Differential Lock, Electric Parking Brake, Electronic Stability Control, Exit Warnings System, Head Airbags, Headlights - Auto On/Off Function, Harddisk Drive (Built-in), Heated Front Seats, Hill Holder, Hands-Free Smart Tailgate, Head Up Display, Illuminated - Entry/Exit with Delayed Fade, Inlays, Engine Immobiliser, Keyless Entry & Start, Kerb View Function, Lane Change Warning, Lights on Exterior Door Handles, LED Headlights, Lane Keeping Assist, Leather Upholstery, Memory Card Reader, Multi Function Control Screen, Multi Function Display, Multi Function Steering Wheel, Map/Reading Lights - Front & Rear, Parking Distance Control Front & Rear, Parking Distance Control Side, Power Lumbar Support (driver's seat), Steering Wheel with paddle shifters, Pedestrian Recognition, Power front seats, Power front seat Driver/memory, Power Mirrors With Folding, Power Exterior Mirrors - Heated, Power Mirrors With Memory, Power Steering, Rear Lights - LED, Rear Privacy Glass, Rear View Mirror Auto Dimming, Side Airbags, Height-Adjustable Seatbelts with load limiters (front seats), Seatbelts with Pretensioners (front and rear), Surround Camera System, Sport Seats, Sound System with 10 Speakers, Sports Steering Wheel - Flat-bottom 

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Author: Luka Kusic