Audi launches new 354hp S4 and S4 Avant

The specification on the new Audi S4 and S4 Avant is enough to turn the average car fan into a drooling mess, like a labrador outside a butcher shop. Both models get a brand new 3.0-litre TFSI turbo V6 petrol engine with 354hp and 500Nm of torque: 0-100km/h comes up in 4.7 seconds, while top speed is limited to 250km/h.

Even so, Audi claims that the cars will average 7.4-litres per 100km on the combined fuel economy cycle and Co2 emissions are a surprisingly reasonable 170g/km. Which means these two German hot rods will only be as expensive to tax as a ten-year-old 1.8 Mondeo… (The Avant’s consumption and Co2 are a touch higher - 7.5l/100km and 175g/km.)

Both keep the classic quattro four wheel drive system, not the fuel-saving new quattro Ultra version. That means a rear-biased torque split for sharper handling, although between 55kmh and 160kmh, there is a decoupling freewheeling system (activated when the driver lifts off the throttle) to help save a few squirts of fuel.

There’s torque vectoring on the rear axle, while suspension is by five-link setups both front and rear. All that oomph is put to the tarmac via the medium of 245/45 tyres running on 18” rims (19s are an option) while stopping is done by 350mm discs with six-piston callipers.

That suspension is 23mm lower than the standard A4’s, while there’s an optional Continuous Damper Control system to juggle the needs of comfort and precision.

Inside there are S-Sports seats with integrated headrests, Nappa leather, brushed aluminium, Audi Virtual Cockpit digital instruments and an 8.3" monitor for the MMI infotainment system. That infotainment includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and an integrated LTE wifi hotspot. Google Play Music and Apple Music are already integrated into the controls, while there will shortly be Spotify and WhatsApp functionality too. Oh, and you can boost your tunes with an optional 3D Bang & Olufsen sound system.

On the tech front, there’s active cruise control and a traffic jam assistant that can, on well-marked roads, take over braking, accelerating and even steering for you in heavy traffic, at speeds of up to 65kmh.

Outside, you’ll spot the S4s from aluminium (not chrome) trim on the body and mirrors, matte-grey finishes, honeycomb grilles, an aluminium diffuser and quad-exhausts.

The German price for the saloon is €59,300 (€61,150 for the estate) so don’t go expecting much change from €75,000 here when sales start in the summer.

Mouthwatering, but only really for those feeling the full affect of the much-lauded economic recovery.