Audi’s mighty sports sedan, the new S4, has been launched in Australia.

The new Audi S4, now in its third generation, is instantly recognisable thanks to a completely new exterior design and a dynamic front end dominated by the brand’s formal design idiom, the single-frame grille. The ‘face’ of the new S4 is further defined by the new S-exclusive grid pattern, large air intakes and newly-styled headlights.

The prominent and high-set shoulder line sculpts the sides of the car with purpose and tension and the tail end, with its new taillight design, also features four oval tailpipes indicating the engine’s enormous potential.

A more powerful rear bumper, fully painted to match body colour, while a discreet rear spoiler, Xenon Plus headlights and aluminium-look door mirrors all add to the S4’s subtle, yet individual appearance.

Audi’s S-models have always been recognised for their outstanding sports potential, says Audi’s Managing Director, Joerg Hofmann.

“S-models represent controllable performance in an understated form, subtly differentiated from their A-model siblings, yet still clearly related. They are sporty, sophisticated and practical sportscars and quattro, in conjunction with suberb power, make these vehicles, ‘the sportscar for everyday use’,” Mr Hofmann said.

“For Australia, the new S4 offers us an excellent opportunity to cement our growing image as an importer of luxury sporting vehicles, and also to position the entire A4 range as a desirable and technologically-advanced model line.”

“The S4 is also the first of a range of emotionally-charged new models from Audi in the coming months, including the new RS4 which is due to arrive in March next year, and the new range-topping S8, expected in October,” Mr Hofmann added.

2006 Audi S4

The new Audi S4 boasts a supremely powerful 4.2-litre V8 engine with 253kW of power and 410 Nm.

The eight-cylinder engine’s thrust thus enables the new Audi S4 with its sporty 6-speed tiptronic gearbox to complete the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.8 seconds. It takes just 20.8 seconds to reach 200 km/h, and its top speed is governed to 250 km/h.

The new S4 is the only car in its class to have quattro permanent four-wheel drive. The benefits of this class-leading system means that engine output can be converted into propulsive power efficiently at all times, entering a new dimension of superiority thanks to the handling potential of its aluminium chassis.

Servotronic steering with an extremely direct ratio means that the S4 can be guided precisely when cornering.

Large 345 millimetre brake discs at the front are a visual indication of the brake system’s performance. At the rear, 300 mm high performance TRW CII-41 floating-calliper brakes are installed.

Along with its new design comes a long list of exclusive standard equipment that sets the new S4 apart from its siblings. Xenon Plus headlights with Adaptive light and daytime driving lights are now available, along with Coming Home/Leaving lights, an automatic light and rain sensor, Sports multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifts, 18-inch Avus-design alloy wheels and DataDot microdot identification are all new standard fit features.

The Audi S4 offers a winning combination of outstanding technology, on-road dynamism, powerful yet subtle exterior design, and of course the highest quality interior to match.

The instrument cluster has the characteristic grey S dials and special needles, while the newly-design trapezoidal sports leather steering wheel features S-badging.

Recaro sports seats with Silk Nappa leather provide firm lateral support and excellent comfort on long journeys and for those drivers wanting an extra edge, the interior trim is now available in new colours including Crimson Red and Silver.

The new Audi S4 is priced at $131,200. Audi expects to sell around 100 per year in Australia.

2006 Audi S4

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