Audi prices 2010 S4 in U.S. from $45,900*

After a year-long absence on U.S. soil, the Audi S4 is about to return with all of the enhancements that debuted last year in the all-new B4 A4 sedan. Oh yeah, plus a screaming 3.0-liter supercharged V6 producing 333 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. The new S4 was just added to the Audi USA website yesterday, and pricing has been revealed to start at $45,900 (*not including a destination and delivery charge of $825). At that price you get the S4 sedan with a six-speed manual transmission, while the S4 with Audi's seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch tranny starts little higher at $47,300. Despite being down two cylinders to the previous V8-powered S4, the new model hustles to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, about .4 seconds faster. It's also more fuel efficient, achieving 18 mpg city/27 highway compared to the old model's 13 mpg city/20 highway.

Audi doesn't consider the S4 an M3 competitor, but rather a perfect foil for people considering a BMW 335i or Mercedes-Benz C350. The 335i starts lower at $40,300, but offers an engine that, while sonorously sweet, produces only 300 horsepower. The C350, meanwhile, starts lower still at $39,000, but again features a 3.5-liter V6 producing only 268 horsepower. The crazy thing is that the S4, despite being more powerful than its cross-country German rivals, is more fuel efficient than them both.

[Source: Audi]


PRESS RELEASE

Audi announces 2010 MY pricing for all-new, segment-leading S4 performance sedan and stylish A5/S5 Cabriolet

- S4 sedan is repositioned to be more attainable without compromises in performance or features.
- A5 and S5 Cabriolet mark the expansion of the successful A5/S5 model line as the convertible model moves from the A4/S4 lineup.
- A5 and S5 Cabriolet employ an innovative acoustic soft top that features a 15 second folding time, integrated rear reading lights, and flat-folding 50:50 split rear seats.

HERNDON, Va., Aug 14, 2009 - Audi today announced the U.S. manufacturer's suggested retail prices for the highly anticipated 2010 Audi S4 sedan and A5 / S5 Cabriolet models. The S models arrive at U.S. dealers in late August, while the A5 Cabriolet will be available in the Fall of 2009.

2010 S4 sedan (excluding $825 destination charge, taxes, title, options and dealer charges):
S4 sedan (manual) $45,900
S4 sedan (S tronic) $47,300

2010 A5 and S5 Cabriolet (excluding $825 destination charge, taxes, title, options and dealer charges):
A5 Cabriolet 2.0T multitronic front-wheel drive $42,000
A5 Cabriolet 2.0T Tiptronic quattro ` $44,100
S5 Cabriolet (S tronic) $58,250

The S4 sedan and A5/S5 Cabriolet feature technological advancements as available features that enhance both interior and performance luxury. The 3G MMI (Multi Media Interface) with 3D map graphics and SIRIUS traffic displays the latest evolution of 3D navigation, joystick control for navigation map destination finding, updated graphical clarity, SIRIUS® artist/title preview, and SIRIUS traffic-based navigation. The S4 sedan features voice-based destination input control, and voice inputs such as "I'm hungry," "I need gas" and "I need coffee" that will point to the closest options. The unique Audi drive select option available in the S4 sedan and A5/S5 Cabriolet also helps the driver customize steering, suspension, and acceleration characteristics. The available performance-oriented Sports Rear Differential package with torque vectoring is reserved for the S4 sedan and S5 coupe/Cabriolet.

The 2010 S4 sedan returns to the Audi U.S. lineup a year after the successful launch of the all-new B8 A4, and marks a strategic enhancement for performance models in the U.S. Audi lineup.

The new S4 features more performance and technology than ever and now enters a hotly contested competitive set that includes the BMW 335i and Mercedes-Benz C350 at a very attainable price. Now equipped with a 3.0T V6 FSI direct injection supercharged engine with 333 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, the 2010 S4 with a manual transmission offers a 0-60 time of 4.9 seconds, compared to a 0-60 time of 5.3 seconds for the previous generation S4 V8 manual. The 2010 S4 also provides greater fuel efficiency (2010 S4 manual achieves 18 mpg city/27 highway, compared to the previous-generation 2008 S4 V8 manual ratings of 13 mpg city/20 mpg highway).

The S4 sedan will also provide more performance and standard features over its German luxury competitors. Using a continual focus on attention to detail, S4-specific features include distinctive standard S4-embossed heated front sport seats, front/rear bumpers, front grille, wheels, LED tail lights and front xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights. Other unique standard features include rear-biased 40:60 quattro® all-wheel drive, 18" wheels, heated front sport seats with S4 logo embossing, stainless steel and carbon fiber interior trim, contrast stitching on steering wheel / shifter / seats, Bluetooth®, SIRIUS satellite radio, Homelink®, and iPod® Interface.

The introduction of A5 and S5 Cabriolet marks the expansion of the A5 model line and the replacement for the 2009 A4 and S4 Cabriolet nameplates. Featuring an innovative cloth acoustic roof that folds in a class-leading 15 seconds at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, it is lighter than a retractable hard top and improves driving dynamics, center of gravity, and fuel efficiency as a result. Safety continues to be a top priority for Audi, which offers more models earning "Top Safety Pick" recognition from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety than any other German luxury car brand.*

The A5 and S5 Cabriolet feature the latest safety features expected from a modern German luxury 4-seater convertible, including active roll bars behind the seats, front airbags, knee airbags, seat-mounted side head/chest airbags, and ESP stability control. Several packaging innovations come from the cloth acoustic roof, including rear passenger reading lights and class-leading 50:50 flat-folding rear seats. The A5 and S5 Cabriolet also come with available head-level heating built into the seats, enabling passengers to enjoy a longer top-down motoring season. The front seatbelt presenter puts the belt well within reach of front drivers and passengers as a convenience and safety feature, while ensuring effortless entry or exit.

Audi is the first car company in the United States to equip 100% of its gasoline engines with FSI direct injection technology beginning with model year 2010. Audi began racing with FSI direct injection technology in 2000 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the American Le Mans Series with the R8 FSI prototype racing sports car. Once this technology first became available for U.S. Audi customers in late 2004 with the introduction of the 2005 A6 3.2 FSI quattro, the list of Audi vehicles sold in the U.S. with FSI direct injection technology has continued to grow.