Audi, why won't you bother to compete with the big boys?
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,175
Likes: 0
Audi, why won't you bother to compete with the big boys?
The following is just my opinion...
Ok, who knows, I might be wrong... Audi might have met every one of their goals with the coming B6 S4. But as an owner of the current generation S4, I won't even consider the B6 when it is time to look again. The fact that the "new" S4 doesn't begin to compete with other performance sedans in it's price range is shocking to me. It doesn't break 0-60 in under 5 (The M3 and C32 AMG both do by A LOT), 1/4 mile times are slower than the current incarnation. The handling will feel the same from what I have read. The lines of the car aren't appealing to me, and it doesn't seperate itself very far from the A4, especially now that the S4 body kit is basically a factory option, and the "S" line is becoming a common upgrade on non S cars. Big whoop, a V-8... personally I would rather have 2 turbo's... if I wanted a V8 sedan with a 6 speed and 4 doors, I would have bought an M5 in the first place. Does anyone else feel this way? I just feel like Audi has lost something in the translation.
Ok, who knows, I might be wrong... Audi might have met every one of their goals with the coming B6 S4. But as an owner of the current generation S4, I won't even consider the B6 when it is time to look again. The fact that the "new" S4 doesn't begin to compete with other performance sedans in it's price range is shocking to me. It doesn't break 0-60 in under 5 (The M3 and C32 AMG both do by A LOT), 1/4 mile times are slower than the current incarnation. The handling will feel the same from what I have read. The lines of the car aren't appealing to me, and it doesn't seperate itself very far from the A4, especially now that the S4 body kit is basically a factory option, and the "S" line is becoming a common upgrade on non S cars. Big whoop, a V-8... personally I would rather have 2 turbo's... if I wanted a V8 sedan with a 6 speed and 4 doors, I would have bought an M5 in the first place. Does anyone else feel this way? I just feel like Audi has lost something in the translation.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 15,433
Likes: 0
I think you have to wait for magazine tests....
and IMHO, the B6 chassis is SOOOO much better than the current B5, it's not funny.
Performance will be on par with a stage II S4, in my opinion. Low 13's in the 1/4, 0-60 in high fours to five seconds, and the benefits of quattro. The 1/4 mile times will not be on par with current stock S4's, period.
I do agree with your comments on the looks and similarity with the A4. I wish it was more different cosmetically as well.
From everything I've been told, the new S4 is faster around the Nordschleife by seven seconds per lap and is faster than the M3 everywhere, period (except for the identical limited top speed).
Only mag tests will tell the truth. Remember, the E46 M3 was going to kick *** on stage II S4's as well!
As for competing with the big boys, take a look at the RS6 specs, the coming S8, and figure the new S4's power is underrated by a good margin (same as the current S4).
Mike S
Performance will be on par with a stage II S4, in my opinion. Low 13's in the 1/4, 0-60 in high fours to five seconds, and the benefits of quattro. The 1/4 mile times will not be on par with current stock S4's, period.
I do agree with your comments on the looks and similarity with the A4. I wish it was more different cosmetically as well.
From everything I've been told, the new S4 is faster around the Nordschleife by seven seconds per lap and is faster than the M3 everywhere, period (except for the identical limited top speed).
Only mag tests will tell the truth. Remember, the E46 M3 was going to kick *** on stage II S4's as well!
As for competing with the big boys, take a look at the RS6 specs, the coming S8, and figure the new S4's power is underrated by a good margin (same as the current S4).
Mike S
Trending Topics
AudiWorld Expert
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 26,551
Likes: 1
Pretty much agree. 344hp/302 lb-ft hauling around 3800+ lbs...
...just ain't gonna do a whole lot in my book. Why is the S4 such a blast? Well it's because it has turbos. Turbos make torque and torque makes fun. 302 lb-ft ain't that much torque. Hell, that's really about what a stock 2.7T puts out at its peak.
AudiWorld Stories
Bringing Audi to Life for Audi Fans
10 Strangest Audi Designs That Actually Made Production
Joe Kucinski
2027 Audi Q7 and SQ7: Audi Upgraded EVERYTHING!
Michael S. Palmer
Audi Unveils Absurdly Cool New Supercar: 10 Things You Need to Know!
Verdad Gallardo
The Highs & Lows of Every Audi C-Class Generation
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Audis Ever Sold on Bring-A-Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Audi Features & Options We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Audi Recreates Crazy-Looking Speed Record Breaker From 1935
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilder Recreates the 1995 Audi TTS Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Every Audi V10 Car Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,175
Likes: 0
I feel a flaming coming on, let me further explain...
I owned an E36 M3 before my S4. Loved both, modded both...
I got sick of waiting for the new M3 and needed a new ride, so I pulled the trigger on the S4. Anyway, after driving the E46 M3, I see how much BMW raised the bar - by a huge ammount. Granted, no one has yet driven the B6 S4, so a review or comparison would at this point be useless. But from the literature, from the pictures... I don't think they have created a B5 S4 killer. And I don't want to move laterally when buying my next car.
I got sick of waiting for the new M3 and needed a new ride, so I pulled the trigger on the S4. Anyway, after driving the E46 M3, I see how much BMW raised the bar - by a huge ammount. Granted, no one has yet driven the B6 S4, so a review or comparison would at this point be useless. But from the literature, from the pictures... I don't think they have created a B5 S4 killer. And I don't want to move laterally when buying my next car.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,470
Likes: 0
I agree. I don't think Audi did so great in terms of creating a good evolutionary A4/S4 not to
mention being competitive. When you look at a vehicle and who your audience will be, you need to make sure you give them what they want. A car like the M3 and S4, for the most part, attracts people who thrive on performance and good/aggressive looks. Sure there will be some people out there who don't even care and will just write out the check but most of those people would be getting into an A6 or higher models anyway. Given this, cars like the M or S should look different and sporty enough to attract potential buyers. I know I've never mistaken an e46 M3 for a 330ci but most people will probably often mistake the new S4 for an A4. I like the subtle look of the S line myself but the new S4 is bordering bland IMO. Given that and the fact that the new S will not be as balanced as an M3 and will also be heavier kind of eliminates it from the class in which it wants to compete. a 3700lb sport sedan just doesn't make sense to me, especially when most of the weight is over the front wheels. We can also go into the power issue and on and on.... You get the picture. My $.02