The facelift version of the Audi A4 is on sale in Europe and will go on sale in the USA in the summer of 2012. In this short time, the model has already received a number of significant upgrades, but German tuner, ABT Sportsline, is adding another one to the faster version of the A4, the S4. Their package, called the AS4, includes a series of exterior upgrades and some serious engine boosts to allow the A4 to excel.
The exterior changes were made to improve the car’s aerodynamics and were kept to a minimum. These changes include a new air dam, new side sills and wing inserts, aerofoils, rear apron inserts, a two-pipe exhaust system, and, of course, a new set of alloy wheels.
Under the hoods of the different versions of the A4, the most impressive changes were made for the S4. The Audi S4’s 3.0 L TFSI V6 engine was pumped up to 435 HP from the standard 333 HP. The top speed limiter has also been removed, providing the luxury sedan with a top speed of 175 mph, while the 0 to 60 mph sprint is made in 4.8 seconds. The 3.0 TDI engine has also been increased from 245 HP to 282 HP, while the tiny four-cylinder version, the 2.0 TFSI, goes from 211 HP to 275 HP.
With the A5 launch in the bag, Audi is primed for the debut of theA4 family and its series updates. For 2012, the new A4 will be getting a more attractive design and new solutions for efficiency, driving dynamics, and infotainment. The A4 family will arrive on the US market in Summer 2012, but the new details surrounding the S4 - the most powerful version of the family - have already been released.
The Audi S4 will be powered by a 3.0 TFSI engine that delivers a total of 333 HP and a peak torque of 324 lb-ft. The sedan has an average fuel consumption of 29 mpg and can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in under 5 seconds on its way to a limited top speed of 155 mph.
As for the updates, the S4 has received changes to the headlights, the bumpers, the air inlets, and its colors, with subtle changes scattered in the interior. Audi has also equipped the S4 with an S sport suspension and 18" wheels.
UPDATE 01/23/12: The 2013 Audi S4 will go on sale in June 2012, so to get its marketing ploys, Audi has released the vehicle’s first promotional video. Check it out!
Hit the jump to read more about the new 2013 Audi S4.
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Those of you who have been with us for some time might know that the Audi S4 might be one of our favorite cars on the market. It combines pure speed and aggressive handling with comfort and everyday practicality. If you had to pick one car for the rest of your life, the S4 wouldn’t be a bad call.
Despite its near flawlessness, Stasis Engineering has decided to rework the four-door Audi and make it that little bit more hardcore. Normally we would despise this sort of thing, but after all, it is SEMA.
A little background of Stasis before we get started with the tuned up S4. STaSIS Engineering is dedicated to providing automotive performance to the mainstream market. They specialize in performance-enhancing brakes, suspension, driveline, and engine products. Basically, these products are as close as you’re going to get to real racing car equipment.
Hit the jump to read about how Stasis applied these products to the S4.
UPDATE 02/21/2011: The STaSIS Signature S4 packages are now available exclusively from APS of Brackley, with prices starting at £12,500 (or about $20,000 at the current exchange rates) including VAT @ 20% and installation.
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When you first look at the new 2010 Audi S4, it might appear that Audi has taken a step backwards with a less-powerful, less-expensive S4, but you’d be wrong. The “third” German car company is finally an individual, no longer shadowing behind the Mercedes AMG or BMW M.
Today, visit an Audi dealership and you will find a completely revamped S4 with more power than the base A4 2.0T and better handling than the Mercedes C63 AMG.
This newest S4 pushes aside the old V8 for a far more efficient supercharged V6 with more torque. Some purists might whine about this change, but the fact of the matter is that the car is now $3,000 cheaper and just as fast.
With the new A4 range, Audi is hoping that its cheaper models will lure people into buying the more expensive high performance sedan. Unlike the old S4, which was pitted against the Mercedes AMG C-Class and the BMW M3, the new $40,000 range S4 is more suited to battle the 335i or C350.
Full review after the jump.
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As if the higher performance variant of the A4 wasn’t sporty enough, Avus Performance has developed a new tuning kit for the Audi S4 that will not only provide the 3.0 liter V6 engine with a jump in horsepower, but will also allow it to look the part with a few exterior as well as interior features.
The boost in horsepower allows the Audi S4 to produce a total of 430 HP compared to the 333HP developed in the standard model. This boost in power was held together by a thread spring kit allowing for minor suspension adjustments.
The aerodynamic package includes a new grille, rear diffuser, and front blade all with a glossy black finish which can be changed to a carbon finish if the customer so chooses. The back of the Audi S4 will see a whole new set of stainless steel mufflers with the tail pipe variant RS4/RS6-look in matte black. The interior can also be decked out in the carbon finish or the customer can choose from a wide variety of colors in a leather finish. The car sits on 22" Hankooh Ventus S1 Evo rims.
