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. 

Kicking S: Behind the Wheel of Every Audi S Car

Don't be sick with envy that I drove the entire collection of Audi's S and RS cars — high-performance versions of their small, midsize and full-size sedans. Be sick that nine or 10 other writers sent RSVPs for this one-day event and didn't show up. Sick, sick, sick. I mean, where else can you drive four cars totaling 1,645 horsepower and $322,795 in retail price — $6,800 of it gas-guzzler taxes? The inconceivable loss of those no-shows was our gain, though, because there were more cars than drivers, and in a short time I was able to buckle the pavement in the new S4 Cabriolet, the RS4, the S6 and the S8.

I'll start with the S4 Cabriolet with six-speed manual ($54,640 base, $60,785 as equipped).