Audi S4 Quattro

Number: HCJ95-4B10

Year: 2023 - 2/5

Collection: Deutschland Design

Born: 2003, Ingolstadt, Germany

Manufacturer: Audi AG

The third generation Audi S4 quattro debuted its saloon and Avant body styles in Europe in March 2003. This was based on the latest Volkswagen Group B6 (PL46) platform used by the then current Audi B6 A4. Despite having moved to an entirely new platform, one of the S4's most publicized new features was its new 4.2-litre V8 engine.

Official performance figures for standard discipline of sprinting from standstill to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in the saloon with manual transmission are 5.6 seconds (Avant 5.8 s, Cabriolet 5.9 s), however, a road test conducted by the American automotive magazine Motor Trend indicated that it could go from a standstill to 60 mph (96.6 km/h) in less than 5 seconds, and make it to 200 km/h (124.3 mph) in slightly over 20 seconds, although doing this led to fuel consumption dipping into single digits. This was considerably worse than the earlier V6 models, leading to the addition of a $1,700 gas guzzler tax for the six-speed manual sedan in the United States. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155.3 mph).

Replacing the 2.7-litre 'biturbo' V6 engine of the previous generation B5 S4, the new B6 S4 powertrain gained an all-aluminum alloy 4.2-litre, 40 valve V8 engine, with flywheel-end chain-driven double overhead camshafts, roller-finger rocker arm cam followers, and included variable inlet camshaft timing. This petrol engine, based on the unit from the Audi A8, displaces 4,163 cubic centimeters (254.0 cu in), and it produces a motive power output of 344 PS (253 kW; 339 bhp) at 7,000 rpm, and generates torque of 410 N⋅m (302 lbf⋅ft) at 3,500 rpm, making it more powerful than the RS2 Avant, and nearly as powerful as the B5 RS4. The exhaust system includes vacuum-operated valves in the twin rear silencers (mufflers), finished with chrome plated tailpipes.