Those of you who have been with us for some time might know that the Audi S4->ke1088 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->ke14 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.

audi-s4-by-stasis-engineering

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: audi-s4-by-stasis-engineering
Pros
Cons

2011 Audi S4 By Stasis Engineering

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2011 Audi S4 By Stasis Engineering
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior and Interior

We've always loved the look of the S4, so we're happy that Stasis decided to leave it the way it us. Of course, there are a few modifications, including a new hood with a black center that features an S monogram on it. The side sills have painted black with a white and gray strip and the roof has been given a gray strip, as has the rear of the car.

Basically, not much has changed, just the paint work. It's as if a normal red S4 got a gray racing strip down it with a few touches on the lower sides. Compared to the other vehicles at SEMA, the look is actually a bit understated.

We imagine the interior was left alone, as Audi->ke14 interiors are like works of art. The S4 has a roomy front cabin, logical controls, and Audi’s MMI interface that is far better than the old I-Drive system that we find in BMW models. There is decent space in the back for your children or friends and the trunk is large enough for your golf clubs. As an everyday sports car, the Audi is the cream of the crop.

Buyers will have a choice from a plethora of custom wheel choices, including 20-inch cast aluminum units or 20-inch forged aluminum designs.

The Power

The normal S4 is powered by a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 with 333 horsepower. That was always more than enough, but at SEMA, the word enough is never uttered. Stasis decided to bolt on a reflashed engine controller, along with a less restrictive stainless steel exhaust. This means that the S4 now produces an impressive 410 horsepower and 370 pound-feet of torque.

If you like exhaust kits, Stasis has created a piece that is simply brilliant. It's a lightweight, free-flowing, T304 stainless steel exhaust system that works perfectly with the engine tuning software. The exhaust uses the first true cross flow pulse scavenging technology applied to the 3.0 supercharged engine and independently provides an additional 8 hp.

Yet, that great power is useless if you can't put it on the road, but that shouldn't be an issue for this S4. Stock springs and dampers are replaced with stiffer units, while lightweight double-digressive valve dampers reportedly help body motions while delivering a comfortable ride. If that wasn't enough - and it never is -, Stasis also bolts on larger front and rear anti-roll bars to further aid performance in bends. Sounds like our dream car.

So, it's good in a straight line, good around corners and it looks wonderful, but does it stop properly? In a word, yes. The stock rotors are scrapped in favor of lightweight two-piece 14.5-inch rotors, although larger 15.3-inch rotors. Also included in the package are six-piston calipers fitted at each corner. Not only did this modification help stopping distance, it reduced 52 pounds from the car's overall weight.

Stasis says a Signature Series S4 will sprint from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds, a tad quicker than the stock version.

When Will It Be Out

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

The Competition

As we have stated before, the price tag and overall performance of the S4 is below the capabilities of the Mercedes C63 AMG->ke1593 and the BMW M3->ke2366. This vehicle is more in line with the 335i->ke290 or the C350.

Even before the upgrades, the S4 was far better than the other German machines and these additions should only lengthen the gap. The new 335i uses an upgraded twin-scroll turbocharged inline-six with 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. That doesn't even come close to what the tuned S4 offers. The M3 uses its 4.0-liter V8 to put out 414 horsepower. This means that what Stasis have done was move the Audi into a brand new segment, one dominated by the BMW. It's a shame we can't get both on the track and see how they fair against one another.

The C63 AMG is still is a class of its own. That 6.2-liter V8 will wipe the floor with the M3 and the tuned S4, but around the bends both vehicles might take the Mercedes by storm.