Audi Celebrates 25 Years of quattro Technology with Limited Edition S4: One of 250

Source: Audi of America

AUBURN HILLS – To commemorate 25 years of quattro all-wheel drive technology, Audi announced today that it will produce 250 special edition S4 models to be called: “S4 25quattro”. In 1980 Audi introduced all-wheel drive to the modern luxury sedan segment and has since proved the concept time and time again both on the road as well as on the track. Now is the time to celebrate this special anniversary with the creation of these limited edition S4s that are destined to become collectors items.

All these special S4s will have an Avus Silver exterior with bold front and rear bumpers trimmed with carbon fiber on the front bumper edge and the rear spoiler. The body will also have special rocker panels and unique 18-inch 15-spoke Audi DTM wheels with high performance tires. Each will have a special VIN number denoting them as part of the special edition. At the discretion of the customer, the car can bear the trademark Audi rings on the lower section of the front driver and passenger doors (affixed by the dealer).

The S4 25quattro will be immediately recognizable on the interior thanks in part to the exclusive quattro shift knob that will identify each car as being “1 of 250”. Other interior differentiators include carbon fiber interior beltline and gearbox trim, jet grey stitching on the seats, parking brake lever, floor mat edges and shift lever cover surrounded by black leather. The interior is set apart even further due to the jet grey silk nappa leather on the middle seat segments, door inserts and jet grey segments on the steering wheel. “quattro” is also embossed in the seats in place of “Recaro”.

The S4 25quattro features the latest generation of quattro drive specifically designed for the sportiest Audis with asymmetric/dynamic distribution of engine power and torque. The Torsen power divider delivers the output and torque of the engine individually to the front and rear axle as required, thus ensuring optimum traction at all times: reflecting even minor changes in road conditions, the flow of power is re-directed immediately as a function of torque, with up to 100 per cent of engine power and torque going to just one axle whenever appropriate. This new distribution of drive power makes the Audi S4 quattro an even more dynamic performer on the road. The term “Torsen” comes from “torque” and “sense”, which, taken together, quite literally means “sensing the development and build-up of torque”. The Torsen differential is a self-locking worm gear system building up its locking action only under power, while allowing differences in speed both when applying the brakes and in bends.

As with all S4’s, power is provided by a 4.2 V8 engine producing 340 hp at 7,000 rpm with a mighty peak torque of 302 lbs. ft. at 3,500 rpm. In acceleration tests, the S4 sedan rips from 0-60 miles per hour in just 5.3 seconds with a six-speed manual transmission and a specially tuned exhaust that announces the evidence of its power. All 250 S4 25quattro editions will be equipped with the six-speed manual as standard.

Audi will premier this car at its exhibit during “The Quail” event taking place at The Quail Lodge Resort in Carmel California on Friday, August 19. The S4 25quattro will be shown amongst other notable Audis from Audi’s 100+ year history including the Audi RS6 Speed Challenge GT championship race car, the Audi Imperator from 1929 and the Audi RS4 that was used as the pace car for this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans race (which Audi won for its fifth time).

On sale only in the US, these cars can be reserved at local Audi dealers now. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price for this well equipped car is $60,250. Destination and handling for all Audi models is $720. Visit www.audiusa.com for a full list of Audi dealers.

To further promote this rare model, Audi is offering a two-year lease of an S4 25quattro as the Grand Prize in an online sweepstakes beginning Thursday, August 18. For a chance to win this or a host of other prizes including driving classes at the Audi Driving Experience and various Bose and iPod prizes, consumers should visit www.audiusa.com/25quattro (full contest details appear online)