Every iteration of the Audi S4 was powered by a different engine, and the new one comes with a diesel. That’s right, while most car makers have started ditching oil burners, the four-ring brand has bet on one for the Euro-spec model.
The V6 has a 3.0-liter capacity and delivers 342 hp (347 PS / 255 kW) and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque. It’s paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive, a setup that allows the premium compact estate to accelerate to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.9 seconds and top out at 155 mph (250 km/h). The car also features a mild-hybrid system, with an electric compressor that gets rid of turbo lag.
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Sporty looks aside, the 2020 S4 has comfortable and supportive front seats with massaging function, decent room at the back and a medium-sized boot for the class. It is part of the B9.5 update, which brought a few visual and technical upgrades inside and out, including the addition of the latest infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. Unlike the larger S6, which packs the same engine in European markets, the S4 retains the classic controls for the HVAC instead of getting an extra screen.
On the move, it’s quite comfortable, with a direct steering that could’ve been further refined, as it lacks proper weight, CarGurus said during their encounter with the new S4. Another thing that may not be to everyone’s liking is the part-fake exhaust pipes at the back and fake engine noise coming inside through the speakers, but even so, it’s hard to challenge everything else, especially with the sports car performance wrapped into a family-friendly body that’s not an SUV.