The Audi S4 turns 25

Reaching its quarter century this month, the Audi S4 model continues to be sought after around the world as a performance special.

The original Audi S4 was launched in August 1991, taking over performance duties from the popular Audi 200 quattro. Based on the Audi 100 model, the original the S4 was only available as a sedan, but shortly after launch an Avant version followed. These boasted a four-valve, five-cylinder turbocharged engine that had been taken from the 200 quattro 20V and the S2 Coupe but with increased output in its new host.

Although by today’s standards the original S4’s 171kW may seem modest, it’s 244km/h top speed, quattro all-wheel drive and sports suspension made for a car that set the standard in the mid-sized performance ranks.

The original Audi S4 model continued until 1994, by which time over 9000 sedans (9,286) and a further 4,654 Avant versions had been produced. Come the European summer of 1994 and the Audi 100 series became what is now known as the A6 and subsequent S4 versions have been performance versions of each respective Audi A4 generation. The latest Audi S4 and S4 Avant (pictured below) will make their way to Australia later this year and are the most powerful S4 models ever produced.

The 3.0 V6 TFSI powerplant produces a massive 260kW (between 5400 – 6400rpm) and a whopping 500Nm of torque available from as low in the rev range as 1370rpm. The S4 sedan demolishes the run from standstill to 100km.h in a mere 4.7 seconds, while the S4 Avant is just a fraction behind at five seconds even.

As with the original Audi S4, styling is subtle yet with an obvious sporty bent, while appointment and finish are superb and continue the proud tradition of the Audi S cars.

Twenty five years after the first Audi S4 was first unleashed, the S4 model remains one of the most popular and exciting performance sedans on the market and the new model’s Australian launch is already eagerly anticipated.