AUDI S4 Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

The world is turning against diesel engines but Audi insists that turbodiesels are not dead. Their best statement is the latest Audi S4, which is based on the A4 range.

It is the most powerful version of the diesel engine installed into an A4. The engine is a highly tuned 3.0-liter V6, which can be found also on the big SUV Q7. Due to a twin-turbo and an electric supercharger, the powerplant develops 347 hp and 700 Nm (516.3 lb-ft) of torque. The engine is helped lowering its emissions due to a mild-hybrid system with 48-volts architecture. This stores energy into a floor-mounted battery and use it when needed. The start/stop function incorporates a belt-driven starter/generator.

The transmission is via an 8-speed Tiptronic gearbox and sent the torque to a self-locking center differential, unlike other quattro versions from A4 which are using an electronic-controlled unit. A sport differential is available as an option. As for performances, the S4 TDI can sprint to 100 kph (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds.

Inside room is enough for five people since only the front seats are bucket-type. The Audi MMI has the same large display in the middle of the dashboard. It supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and can be accessed either via a touch-screen.

From the outside, an S4 can be easily recognized by the honeycomb front grille structure surrounded by a chrome line around it. The headlights are LED fitted as standard. For the S4, Audi offers standard 18” wheels with 245/40 tires. The customers can choose for 19” wheels fitted with 255/35-series tires.

At the 2015 Frankfurt Motorshow, Audi unveiled the fifth generation of the compact-sedan vehicle A4. Along with the rest of the range, it also showed the S4 version.

From the outside, the 2016 S4 featured the big singleframe grille and a pair of headlights that resembled those on its bigger brother, the A6. The car was aerodynamically enhanced so the drag coefficient dropped to 0.23, which was the best in its class in 2016. The exterior mirror housings in aluminum look were a visual highlight on the clear flowing sidelines. The S4 featured a different bumper and apron design. In the back, the four-round exhausts were placed on the sides, in pairs. A subtle lip-spoiler was installed on the trunk.

Inside, the S4 featured sport-bucket seats upholstered in Nappa leather and Alcantara. Black was the main color, as in any other Audi S-version. The technical innovations included the Audi Virtual Cockpit as well, which replaced the traditional dials with a 12.3” screen in the instrument cluster. Another innovation was the MMI interface, which was inspired by smartphones, including the free-text search function. The 8.3” monitor for the system featured the navigation function as well.

The most important part of the S4 was the engine. It was a direct-injected, and turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 unit. It was mated to a standard 8-speed tiptronic gearbox with a torque converter. As usual for any S-version, it was an all-wheel-drive traction system. A sport rear differential was on the options list.

Since the world financial crisis was over, the German automaker Audi dared to launch a refreshed version of the entire ninth-generation A4 lineup in 2012, including the S4 version.

When the B8 Audi was introduced, the world struggled with a financial crisis that affected all carmakers. In addition, a few brands had to close the gates or were sold for pennies by their respective owners. Audi, on the other hand, managed to create the S4 as an alternative for premium sport compact sedans and station wagons, but it had to cut some corners. Thus, in 2012, it came with a refreshed and updated version.

With a completely rejuvenated front fascia, the car boasted wave-shaped headlights that featured LED daytime running lights and Xenon main headlamps. Also, the S4 sported a different front bumper than the rest of the A4 range, with wider side scoops on the apron and a massive, single-frame grille adorned with chromed slats. From its profile, the 18” light-alloy wheels were fitted as standard.

Inside, the high-bolstered bucket seats adorned with the S4 logo on their seatbacks and integrated headrests were a treat for its customers. Furthermore, the flat-bottom steering wheel created an even sportier atmosphere in the cabin. At the back, the bench was profiled for two, albeit it was fitted with three headrests and a 60/40 split-folding seatback.

Under the hood was the same supercharged three-liter V6 carried over from its predecessor sending its power in all corners via a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic.

The 2008 S4 was the top-performer model in the Audi A4 range. It was introduced in late 2008 as a 2009 model and it lost the 4.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 in favor of a supercharged 3.0-liter V6.

The horsepower battle took a rest for the Audi with the introduction of the S4. The German car-maker took for granted the “less is more” saying and tried it on its A4 range. By installing a lighter V6 instead of a V8, the car-maker aimed a better weight distribution and more torque. Its main rivals, the BMW M3 and the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG kept their V8s, with a 4.0-liter and a 6.2-liter respectively. But Audi tried to be a better daily driver.

Its exterior look was based on the 8th generation of the Audi A4. The chromed rim on the singleframe grille, with a lower silver splitter. In the rear, a quad exhaust system was peaking under the rear diffuser. On a short notice, it take a trained eye to distinguish an S4 from a standard A4.

Inside, there were also minimal differences when compared with a standard A4 model. The dashboard featured more aluminum panels and the sport-bucket seats made a small difference.

Under the hood, the Audi engineers installed a supercharged V6 engine that offered less power and more torque than the outgoing V8 unit. The main advantage was a better fuel-efficiency, with a stated economy of 24% when compared to its predecessor. The quattro all-wheel-drive system featured a Torsen center differential and an Audi Sport Rear Differential. The torque distribution for normal condition were 40/60 but up to 100% could be sent to the rear or up to 80% to the front, depending on road conditions.

Along with the new generation A4 and A4 Avant, Audi introduced its refreshed performance model, the Audi S4.

While considered a completely new model, the differences were more cosmetic, even if Audi made a few mechanical upgrades.

The S4 was initially available as a saloon body style, and compared to the previous generation, its exterior design became more stylish and sportier.

For 2005, the S4 joined the big grille family with the newly-designed trapezoidal singleframe grille. Other styling updates included differently-shaped side panels, new sweeping clear-glass HID headlamps, redesigned taillights, and quad exhaust pipes.

Inside, mild retouches have been made to enhance practicality and to offer a more luxurious feel.

Audi fitted the 2005 S4 with a better-looking 3-spoke steering wheel with a rectangular metal finish trim surrounding the four silver circle badge. The carmaker repositioned the steering wheel-mounted buttons for easier action. Its gear-stick was restyled with chrome accents, and the infotainment display was slightly moved toward the driver's side.

Under the hood, the 2005 S4 featured the same old 4.2-liter V-8 powerplant with 339 hp. Even if the S4 was a heavy car weighing 1705 kg (3759 lbs), there was more than enough power to push the aggressive car close to super sports performance levels.

Mechanical upgrades included stiffened springs and dampers, sharpening the S4's dynamics.

The third generation of the Audi S4 was based on the Audi A4 B6 model and even if it lived only for less than two years, it remained the A4 with the biggest engine installed on it by the factory.

In March 2003, Audi showed their latest innovation: the S4. It was available as a four-door sedan, station-wagon, and cabriolet. It was the answer given by Audi to the BMW M3 and the Mercedes-Benz C. While its main rivals offered 6-cylinders engines, the S4 entered the battle with a V8 and an all-wheel-drive system.

From the outside, there were little clues that could differentiate an S4 from a regular A4. The wheel-arches were enlarged to accommodate the wider tires. On the grille, the car-maker placed an S4 badge and in the rear, two exhausts came out under the apron. It wasn't something that someone would notice until it got overtaken.

Inside, the S4 installed bucket-seats with leather. The instrument cluster was awarded an S4 badge on the background and the standard equipment was a long list.

The most important option on an S4 was the transmission. It was fitted as standard with a 6-speed manual and there was an option for a 6-speed automatic with sequential shifting if the driver needed. It was named Tiptronic and it was great for downshifting without destroying the clutch or the blowing up the engine. The 4.2-liter V8 monster under the hood was big enough to be installed in the luxurious A8 limousine, but it offered more horses. And that's how the Audi has beaten the 3.2-liter BMW M3 and the Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG. And yes, the S4 was all-wheel-drive.

In 1997, Audi introduced its second generation of the Audi S4. It was a true competitor in the compact-executive sports car, running against the BMW M3 or the Mercedes-Benz C36 AMG.

The battle for sportiness started when the BMW and Mercedes-Benz started their war in the segment with the E30 M3 and the 190 2.5-16, respectively. By that time, the Audi was successful in the rally world with the Audi S1 quattro. It had a series model but it wasn't seen as a direct competitor to the other two premium German brands. But when the S4 was launched, everything changed. Especially when the 1997 S4 was built on the basis of the Audi A4, unlike its predecessor which was based on the larger Audi 100.

The outside differences were minimal. A new set of 17” light-alloy wheels with specific design, new front, and rear bumpers and a couple of small S4 logos around the car were the only clues that that was not a regular A4.

Inside, there were sport-bucket seats in front and a regular bench-seat in the rear. But since the car was designed mainly for enthusiasts drivers, the rear passengers were there just to calm him, or her, down.

Under the hood, there was a 2.7-liter V6, twin-turbo, engine. It sent the torque the all four wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox and a Torsen center differential.