The History Of AUDI S4


The Audi S4 name was originally used for the high performance sport version of the Audi 100 car and has subsequently been used for similar versions of the Audi A4 series.

They are, or have been available as an "Avant", Audi's name for an estate car or station wagon, a saloon or sedan, and a Cabriolet (convertible) version.

Like most Audi S cars, the S4 is only available with Audi's quattro four-wheel drive (4WD) system, with the S4 utilising the Torsen-based permanent "full-time" 4WD. The S4 has a larger more powerful engine, larger uprated brakes, and high-performance suspension systems which are not shared with the remainder of the A4 range.

See also: Audi Ur-S4 / Ur-S6and Audi S6#C4

Audi was reconfiguring its model range during the early 1990s, and introduced the original S4 (Typ 4A) in 1992, as the performance version of the restyled Audi 100 (C4) saloon/ sedan. Despite being based on the Volkswagen Group C4 platform, and sharing its basic structure with the 100, the S4 effectively took the place of the Audi 200 quattro turbo, which had been discontinued the year before. Being the first S4 model from Audi, it is commonly referred to as the Ur-S4, derrived from the German augmentive word - Ursprünglich (meaning: original).

Following Audi's decision in discontinuing the 100 nameplate, it re-badged the car as the Audi A6 in 1994, and the S4 became the S6, although the only real changes to the model were minor cosmetic updates, and the addition of a more powerful limited edition "S6 Plus" model using the V8 engine. After the first generation A6 was replaced in 1997 by an updated version based on C5 chassis, the S4 and S6 became distinctly separate from one another.

C4 powertrain

The S4 was sold worldwide with a turbocharged version of Audi's 2.2litre (2226cc), 20-valve inline-5 engine developing 169kW (230PS; 227bhp) and 350N·m (258ft·lbf) of torque. Bosch Motronic engine control unit took care of all functions of the engine management.

A 280PS (206kW; 276bhp) 4.2litre V8 engine became available to European customers as an option.

Standard gearbox was a manual transmission (five and six-speed in Europe, five-speed only in North America), although a 4-speed automatic transmission was available as an option. Torsen-based (T-1) quattro permanent four-wheel drive was also standard.

The most common configuration 2.2L 5-speed[citation needed] offered good acceleration for its day, achieving 100 km/ h (62 mph) in just 6.2 seconds.

C4 brakes, wheels and tyres

Ventilated disc brakes were standard front and rear, with 10.9in (276.9mm) diameter discs up front, and 10.6in (269.2mm) diameter discs at the rear. Anti-lock braking system (ABS) was also standard.

Standard wheels were 8Jx16 forged alloy wheels with 225/ 50R16 tyres. An optional 7½Jx15 alloy wheel, with 215/ 60R15 tyres was also available.

The second generation S4 (Typ 8D), now correctly titled Audi S4 quattro debuted in 1997, as part of the facelifted B5 platform Audi A4 line-up, although it wasn't available in North America until year 2000.

In addition to the saloon/ sedan, an estate/ wagon version, the Audi S4 Avant, was introduced into the lineup from 1998. Production of the B5 S4 ceased in 2001 although it was still sold together with the next B6 platform generation through 2002 in North America.

Several years after it was sold new, the B5 S4 remains a potent enthusiast car, and as featured in the December 2007 issue of Sport Compact Car magazine, a Torque Factory tuned S4 won a comparison test against several other extreme performance cars.

B5 Powertrain

The B5 S4 had a 2.7litre (2671cc) "biturbo"-charged 90° "third-generation" cast iron V6 engine with two light-alloy cylinder heads, 5 valves per cylinder, twin double overhead camshafts and variable valve timing (code AGB), with two side-mounted intercoolers, producing 195kW (265PS; 261bhp) and 400N·m (295ft·lbf). Engine management was by way of a Bosch Motronic ME7.1 (7.0 in North America) engine control unit, and helped it meet the EU3-D emissions standard. For the North American market, the engine was slightly detuned to meet US emissions regulations, output was reduced to 250hp (186kW; 253PS) and 258ft·lb (350N·m).

As in the previous S4, a six-speed manual transmission (01E C90, gear ratios- 1st: 3.500, 2nd: 1.889, 3rd: 1.231, 4th: 0.967, 5th: 0.806, 6th: 0.684) was standard equipment, as was the Torsen T-1 quattro permanent four-wheel drive system. Final drive ratio for the manual gearbox is 4.111. A five-speed tiptronic automatic transmission became available for the first time as an option.

The S4 claims acceleration from 0 to 100km/ h (62mph) in 5.6 seconds, and had an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/ h (155mph), making it both the quickest saloon/ sedan in the Audi model line, and among the quickest saloon/ sedans in the world at that time.

B5 brakes, wheels and tyres

The B5 S4 brake system consisted of radially vented discs, 321mm (12.64in) in diameter by 30mm (1.18in) thick up front, and 256mm (10.08in) x 22mm (0.87in) at the rear. Two-piston HP2 brake calipers at the front (with four pads per caliper), with single-piston sliding brake calipers at the rear. Bosch ABS5.3 Anti-lock Braking System (with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), and later with ESP or Electronic Stability Programme), coupled with a vacuum servo completed the system.

Standard fitment alloy wheels were "Avus" die-cast aluminium alloy, 7½Jx17" in size, shod with 225/ 45ZR17 performance tyres.

Motorsport

A racing version of the car achieved great success in the SpeedVision World Challenge with Michael Galati taking the 2001 SpeedVision GT title in a Champion Racing S4, taking four wins, and helping Audi to its first-ever Manufacturers' Championship.

The Audi Sport specification Champion A4 chassis included an B5 RS4 engine, and Alcon racing brake calipers - 4-pot fronts and 2-pot rears.

Production Years/ Numbers

  • 2000: 5672
  • 2001: 5998
  • 2002: 840

The third generation S4 quattro (Typ 8E - saloon: 8E2, Avant: 8E5, and Cabriolet: 8H7) debuted in mid-2003. This was based on the latest Volkswagen Group B6 platform used by the Audi A4. Despite having moved to an entirely new platform, the S4's most publicised new feature was its 4.2L V8 engine. It became available in three bodystyles for the 2004 model year: 4-door saloon/ sedan, 5-door Avant (estate/ wagon) (estate/ wagon), and 2-door Cabriolet (convertible).

Top speed is electronically governed to 250km/ h (155.3mph), although in line with other "S" models, based on owners experiences, and official road test reports, it is known that the governor does not activate until 260km/ h (161.6mph). Official figures for the 0-100km/ h (62mph) sprint in the saloon with manual transmission are 5.6 seconds (Avant 5.8s, Cabriolet 5.9s), however, road tests conducted by American automotive magazines indicated that it could go from a standstill to 100km/ h (62mph) in 5.1 seconds, and make it to 200km/ h (120mph) (124mph) in slightly over 20 seconds, although doing this led to fuel consumption dipping into single digits, considerably lower than the earlier models, leading to the addition of a $1,700 gas guzzler tax (combined 20.2 mpg) for the 6-speed manual sedan in the United States.

The B6 platform S4 was replaced by the B7 platform S4 in late-2005.

B6 Powertrain

Replacing the 2.7litre biturbo V6 engine of the previous generation B5 S4, the B6 S4 gained an all aluminium alloy 4.2litre (4163cc), 40-valve V8 engine with 2xdouble overhead camshaft (DOHC} (chain-driven, with variable inlet camshaft timing) (code BBK), based on the unit from the Audi A8. It produced 253kW (344PS; 339bhp) at 7000rpm, and 410N·m (302ft·lbf) at 3500rpm, making it more potent than the RS2 Avant, and nearly as powerful as the B5 RS4. Engine management was by way of a Bosch Motronic ME 7.1.1 engine control unit, powering eight individual spark coils and quad-electrode spark plugs. Ignition timing is a mapped direct ignition, with cylinder-selective knock control with the aid of four knock sensors.

Like its predecessors, the model was standard with a Getrag six-speed (M6S) manual transmission (code FVD) (gear ratios - 1st: 3.667, 2nd: 2.050, 3rd: 1.462, 4th: 1.133, 5th: 0.919, 6th: 0.778), and Torsen T-1 quattro permanent four wheel drive system. Final drive (code EXZ) ratios are 3.889, giving a top gear road speed to engine revs ratio of 24.4mph to 1000rpm. The tiptronic automatic transmission (ratios - 1st: 4.171, 2nd: 2.340, 3rd: 1.521, 4th: 1.143, 5th: 0.867, 6th: 0.691, with a final drive ratio of 3.539) remained an option.

An unusual sight in the engine compartment was the addition of water cooling for the 190Amp alternator.

B6 Brakes, wheels and tires

B6 S4 Brakes consisted of radially vented discs front and rear, the fronts sized at 345mm (13.58in) in diameter by 30mm (1.18in) thick, and rears at 302mm (11.89in) x 20mm (0.79in). Single-piston sliding brake calipers front and rear clamped the discs. A Bosch5.7/ ESP system (complete with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) and Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) - also known as traction control system), coupled with a dual-rate tandem vacuum servo provided the hydraulics.

Standard alloy wheels were "Avus-III" die-cast aluminium alloy, 8Jx18" ET45 in size, and shod with 235/ 40ZR18 95Y ExtraLoad high performance tyres, being either Continental ContiSportContact2 or Michelin Pilot Sport PS2.

B6 Body and interior

Discrete lower door trims, along with the vertical-emphasis line grille, and solid aluminium alloy (later replaced with mock aluminium plastic) exterior mirrors, and "S4" badging front and rear are all that visually distinguish the S4 from its related A4 brethren. Interior, fully electric Recaro seats, and carbon fibre trims, complete with "S4" logos in the instrument panel complete the detail.

The Audi B7 platform S4 quattro is the most recent version of the vehicle currently on sale, based on the B7 Audi A4, having debuted in late 2005. Although Audi classifies it as a new car, the differences between it and the outgoing B6 S4 casually appear to be primarily cosmetic, and is still classified by the internal designation: Typ 8E (although with revised sub-designations - saloon: 8EC, Avant: 8ED, and Cabriolet: 8HE). It has the same 4.2litre V8 engine as the B6 S4, producing 253kW (344PS; 339bhp) at 7000rpm, and 410N·m (302ft·lbf) at 3500rpm.

There are a few mechanical changes, such as revised springs and dampers and, for model year 2008 and later, an updated centre Torsen T-3 differential, featuring a 'default' asymmetric 40:60 front-rear torque split on manual transmission quattro models, along with the later Bosch ESP8.0 Electronic Stability Programme. The Avus-III wheels still available, with an option of an alternative 18inch "7-spoke" forged alloy wheel.

Bose sound system is now standard, whereas it was optional on the B6 S4, and an enhanced optional DVD-ROM-based RNS-E satellite navigation system replaces the previous CD-ROM-based (RNS-D) option.

The new "corporate" trapezoidal single-frame grille, bi-xenon HID headlamps, "L"-shaped tail-lamps, and quad exhaust tips, and discrete "V8" badging below the side repeater indicators help distinguish the B7 from the previous B6 model.

Audi S4 25quattro

In 2005, Audi announced a limited edition run of 250 special edition S4 saloon cars, celebrating 25 years of quattro four wheel drive. This exclusive model was called the Audi S4 25quattro. Available only in the US, in Avus Silver, the exterior has unique front and rear bumpers, a carbon fibre boot lip spoiler and lower front splitter. "15-spoke DTM" alloys, along with optional dealer-fitted Audi "rings" decals for the front doors complete the exterior makeover. Black and grey contrasting interior leathers, along with "quattro" embossed into the Recaro seats, together with an individually numbered exclusive quattro gear shift knob for the manual-only gearbox define the interior changes.

On the mechanical side, the S4 25quattro was the second Audi, after the B7 RS4 to be fitted with the latest Torsen T-3 asymmetric centre differential for its quattro permanent four-wheel drive system. Under 'normal' grip conditions, this is set with a 'default' rearwards torque distribution bias of 40:60 front to rear, and a maximum of 100% torque can automatically be apportioned to the rear axle (and up to 80% to the front) as conditions warrant. The final drive ratios are 3.889.

The latest generation of the Audi S4 quattro (Typ 8K) will be based on the current Audi B8 A4, built on the Volkswagen Group MLB/ MLP platform.

The B8 S4 will revert back to a smaller displacement engine with forced induction, utilising a 3.0litre TFSI supercharged V6 with Fuel Stratified Injection, from the facelifted Audi A6, and tuned to produce 245kW (333PS; 329bhp) and 440N·m (325lb·ft) and of torque. This engine is mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed direct-shift gearbox S-Tronic dual clutch gearbox.

Acceleration from standstill to 100kmh is claimed to take 5.1 seconds for the saloon, with the Avant one tenth of a second slower at 5.2 seconds. Top speed will be electronically limited to 250kmh.




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