S4 Not Only About PerformanceSeven years ago, I fell in love with the Audi S4. A 2.7-litre biturbocharged V6, manual gearbox and the inescapable grip of permanent
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| The current S4 is powered by a relaxed naturally aspirated V8, a more mellow approach to performance than its twin-turbocharged predecessor. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
all-wheel drive, it was an all-weather rush of blood to the head, wrapped in the beautifully understated stealth body of the Mk.II A4. In many ways, the old S4 is one of my favourite Audi S Cars, being one of the final Audi S-series vehicles to be equipped with a turbocharged engine. Audi has since adopted a new recipe for performance, constantly turning up the sizzle, the latest of which is evident in the new 420-horsepower RS4 (414.25 SAE hp) and the upcoming V10-powered S8.
Betwixt
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| Having skipped out the entire B5 generation, it's safe to assume that this is Audi's way of making up for lost ground. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
the gut-busting 8,000 rpm redline of the latest generation FSI powerhouses and the older, over-boosted turbos is a more mellow approach to performance, the current S4 powered by a relaxed naturally aspirated V8. Having worked well for the sedan and Avant, Audi applied the same theory to its only four-seat cabriolet, adding the go-faster goodies. Having skipped out the entire B5 generation, it's safe to assume that this is Audi's way of making up for lost ground, providing the ultimate open-topped cruiser. After all, a performance version of the '80s Audi Cabrio never appeared, even though it lasted the better part of the decade, resisting evolution.
