The 2018 Audi S4 Leads its Class in Acceleration

When Audi released the all-new A4 in 2017, its performance sibling, the S4, was nowhere to be found. Now, with one year under the A4’s belt, the S4 makes its return to the lineup, and it’s bring some serious performance credentials with it.

Of course, the 2018 S4 will have the same general design as the A4, but it will feature sportier styling to set it apart. These special bits include aluminum-optic side-view mirror housings, a Platinum Gray Singleframe grille with aluminum-optic double-blade bars, a trunk-lid spoiler, 18-inch five-double-spoke wheels, full-LED headlights, taillights and daytime running lights, and a quad-exit exhaust system.

Inside, the 2018 S4 will carry a standard flat-bottom steering wheel with shift paddles and S badging, eight-way power sport seats with heat, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and three-zone climate control. Optionally, buyers can add dual-pane acoustic glass and a Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system.

The looks are great, but it’s what’s under the hood that makes the S4 a winner. This model comes with a 3.0-liter TFSI V-6 engine that cranks out 354 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque – improvements of 21 horsepower and 44 pound-feet. This potent six-cylinder mates with an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission that pushes power to all four wheels via Audi’s Quattro system. This powertrain adds up to a 4.4-second sprint to 60 mph, which Audi claims is the quickest in its class.

The S4 also gains an all new chassis with new front and rear suspension, which strikes a balance between sporty and comfortable. For those looking for even more sportiness, there is the available adaptive dampers that come as a part of the S Sport Package. There is also available dynamic steering that adjusts the steering responsiveness with speed – at higher speeds, it holds a straight line easier and at lower speeds, it is more responsive.

The 2018 Audi S4 will hit showrooms in the spring of 2017, and it’ll start from $50,900 for the Premium trim and top out at $55,800 for the Prestige trim.