Jason Teller Hunts Down the New Audi S4. Article and Photos by Jason Teller

When I heard through the grapevine that Audi of America had an S4 sitting in the lobby of their Auburn Hills, MI headquarters, I had to make a trip to check it out! After all, we're talking about the S-car version of the A4, Audi's first biturbo, and probably one of the most anticipated automobiles in the North American Audi community in many years. Although it was impossible to drive the car, just being in and around it brought on quite a feeling of euphoria. For those of us who already own and love our A4's, the intrigue of the S4 is simply overwhelming!

I spent about half an hour photographing and sitting in the car. I tried to start it up (yes, right there in the lobby), but some safety-minded employee had disconnected the battery. I was not able to establish many details about the version of the S4 that AoA will bring to the U.S., although it seems likely that some of the European features will be absent. It is my strong belief that the S4 will become available in the last part of 1999 and will be a year 2000 model.

To be sure, this was a European spec S4 and therefore probably not exactly what AoA will bring to the United States in 1999. However, let's cover some of the basic specs for the European S4 just for a point of reference.

Engine Type: V6 four-stroke spark-ignition, five values per cylinder, light alloy cylinder heads, three inlet valves, sodium-cooled, each cylinder head with double overhead camshafts (DOHC) Engine Management: Biturbo (twin turbochargers), all-electronic sequential multi-point fuel injection with air mass measurement, mapped characteristic ignition with solid-state HT distribution, variable camshaft control, exhaust temperature control for each cylinder bank Engine Size: 2671 cc Max. HP: 265 at 5800 rpm Max. Torque: 400 NM at 1850-3600 rpm Exhaust Control:Two tubular exhaust manifolds with air-gap insulation, two catalytic converters close to engine, two underfloor main catalytic converters, oxygen sensing for each cylinder bank with two heated probes (Yes, that's FOUR catalytic converters). Redline: 7000 RPM Gearbox: 6-speed manual-shift gearbox with synchromesh Wheels & Tires: 7.5 J x 17 alloy wheels of Avus-Design, 225/45 R 17 W tires with a full-size spare. 0-80 km/h: 3.8 seconds 0-100 km/h (approximately 0-60 mph): 5.6 seconds Top Speed: 156 mph (250 Km/h) electronically controlled Fuel Type: 98 octane

Please click on a link below to see pictures and more information about the S4.

Engine Exterior

Dash & Instruments Interior

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