MORE power for less money. The first fast version of Audi’s all-new B9 A4 range flies under the radar, very quickly.
WHAT IS IT? This is the first performance iteration of Audi’s all-new B9 mid-sizer, and the most affordable and powerful Audi S4 ever. With a brand-new engine it sits between the everyday Audi A4, which finished in the final three at Car of the Year, and the extraordinary Audi RS4, an updated version of which is soon to be officially announced.
WHY WE’RE TESTING IT The B9 S4 debuts an all-new 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine that will make its way into other models, including S5 and Audi SQ5, in the near future. As the first properly fast version of this A4 generation, it’s the best indicator of what is yet to come.
MAIN RIVALS BMW 340i, Mercedes-AMG C43, Jaguar XE S

PLUS: Rapid acceleration; cornering grip; chassis dynamics; interior quality MINUS: Moderated personality and noise; sometimes unsettled ride
THE WHEELS REVIEW ON PAPER, Audi’s suave halfway house S4 sports sedan has it easy: add performance to the most dynamically polished A4 ever produced, and leave something in the clip for the full-noise RS4 still to come.
In one way it’s a tease – much like its launch, which took place at Mt Panorama without any track time – but lap records aren’t the stealthy Audi S4’s main game.

Peak torque arrives earlier and hangs on longer (1370-4500rpm), bringing 100km/h up in 4.7/4.9sec (sedan/wagon). It’s properly brisk, and in isolation has a sporty, cultured exhaust note in keeping with the S4’s newfound gentility.
It’s a personality switch from the snarling induction roar and top-end urgency of the old blown V6, which spun 1000rpm further to 7500rpm. That shift in focus extends to its silken eight-speed torque-converter auto, which is easier to live with and more efficient than the seven-speed dual-clutch it replaces, though not as razor-sharp.
Priced at $99,900 for the sedan and $102,900 for the wagon, this is the most affordable S4 ever, especially when factoring its high level of standard kit. Interior detailing is impeccable, and the S4’s digi-dash gets an S-specific layout with a central tachometer and speed readout.

There’s no need for Audi’s overly sensitive (but thankfully optional) dynamic steering, though. The lesser A4 is already deliciously pointy, and the S4 builds on its fundamental agility. Only an occasionally lumpy ride, even with adaptive dampers at their softest, goes against the normal A4’s plush cohesiveness.

Though it downplays its sportiness the Audi S4 is more capable than ever. Its ultra-polished engine has serious strength if you want to find it, and the underlying balance of its chassis bodes well for future fast Audi mid-sizers.
SPECS Model: Audi S4 sedan Engine: 2995cc V6 (90°), dohc, 24v, turbo Max power: 260kW @ 5400-6400rpm Max torque: 500Nm @ 1370-4500rpm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Weight: 1630kg 0-100km/h: 4.7sec (claimed) Fuel economy: 7.7L/100km Price: From $99,900 On sale: Now