First Look: 2010 Audi S4

• Competes with: BMW M3, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, Cadillac CTS-V
• Looks like: A very stealthy, slightly modified A4
• Drivetrain: 333-hp, supercharged V-6 with six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
• Hits dealerships: Fall 2009

Before everyone chimes in with comments about how this 333-hp S4 doesn’t really compete with the cars in the compete line above, let me say that Audi itself claims that it does. We’re smart enough to point out that even while the new S4 and its claimed 5.1-second 0-60 time is really impressive, it doesn’t compete with the 400-plus hp coming from the rest of the German and even U.S. high-performance competition. The M3 hits 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and the C63 in 4.3 seconds (according to manufacturer claims).

However, the S4 is always followed by an R S4, which does directly compete with those cars. We personally like the fact that there is a sub-performance-level car from Audi that has all-wheel drive and a standard six-speed manual and still sounds really fast.

Other distinctions for the new S4 versus a standard A4 are unique 18-inch wheels, rear LED taillights, an integrated spoiler, revised front and rear ends, and brushed aluminum on the mirrors, as well as sport seats and an optional carbon fiber trim package. 

The Quattro all-wheel-drive system sends 40% of power to the front wheels and 60% to the rear wheels, with an optional rear differential that varies torque between each of the rear wheels.

There are a few bits of bad news to report, though. It’ll be an entire year before we get this S4 in the U.S., and we only get the sedan version; no S4 Avant wagon will go on sale in the U.S. More photos are below. 

Comments

um, this car doesnt compete with the Ms or the CTS-V so I hope it's cheaper than either. 333hp isnt that much in 2009. The G37 has 328hp for far less money. The G8 offers 361hp for $32k. The 335i is just as fast as this car and the S4 will be thousands more than the 335i.

Audi did a nice re-design on this one. Looks very nice. If I was in the market for something in this class I wouldn't even look at the CTS or the G35 and especially the G8. It would be this or the M3.

I don't know if anyone is going to care that Audi won't be offering the S4 Avant in the US. I see very few A4 Avants as it is.

Sheth, like Dave said in the original post, the RS4 is still to come. The current RS4 has 420 hp and quattro for "only" $66,910. The next one will probably come with even more power. So don't think that Audi is sitting still as the competition progresses, They just usually come out with there performance models later. This year we got the base A4, next year we'll get the S4, and then after that we'll get an updated RS4.

Also Sheth, Infiniti doesn't have any products that compete with the high performance vehicles from Audi. Even though the maximum horsepower number of the G37 and S4 may be close, the S4 will have significantly more torque than the G37.

But won't this S4 weigh 10% more than the Infiniti G37x

It could weigh 10% more but it should easily have 20-30% more torque negating the additional weight.

Not 30%, 20%
http://gallery.audiworld.com/gallery/album431/S4080014_medium?full=1

If you keep the VQ37 on boil 5500-7500 and the supercharged 3.0 5000-7000, the G37 should still be faster, assuming Nissan kept the 3.692 axle ratio with the 7 speed automatic.

Thanks for the link George, now I just have to convert it to ft lb lol! I think the S4 would still be faster. The G37 sedan is going to have a 7 speed auto, but the S4 has 7 speed DSG. The S4 should shift faster (and have the ability to shift faster) so it should still be a faster car than the G. I don't know what ratios Nissan is going to use for the new tranny, but I doubt it'll out perform Audi's DSG. The G37 isn't bad, it's just in a different class than the S4.

Would I buy one? Probably not, because the 335 is cheaper and is probably as fast with it's fat torque curve and smooth twin turbos.

All U IDIOTS COMPARE INFINITY TO AUDI G37 HAS TO DO ALOT OF HOMEWORK JUST TO BE ON THE SAME LEVEL OF AUDI

yeah the g37 may cost less, and weigh less. but the interior looks like crap compared to the audi, and lets not forget this is luxury-sport. not just sport! i shouldn't be able to put a whole deck of playing cards in the gaps of a dash board.

I have been a BMW fan my whole life, but I must addmit that the Audi line looks very tempting the last few years. I’ve been very impressed with the Audis I’ve driven lately – I just might switch.

"Infinity"!?!?! yeah...u know sooo much about cars

Every web site on every one of these cars is different. Where did you each get your info??? I just traided a 135i that is faster than the 335i for the Audi S4. The S4 fells much sharper on the shifts and pulls better once in the pwr band of audi's 3.0 engine. Also I have owned a G37S, it felt like a luxury car not a sports car..