Audi A4 S-Line & Audi S4 - 2004

Audi A4 S-Line - 1.8 litre turbo quattro
Audi S4 - 4.2 litre V8 quattro
Audi Allroad - 4.2 litre V8 quattro

2004 Audi A4 S-Line

9th February, 2004

Audi Launches New A4 'S Line'

Audi Australia has launched a dynamic new A4 1.8 Turbo with 140 kW and Audi’s sporting new S Line equipment package that establishes a link to the company’s exclusive S model range.

The new Audi A4 S Line features a muscular 1.8-litre turbocharged engine delivering 140 kW, developed by quattro GmbH. A 6-speed manual transmission completes this dynamic package.

The equipment package is comprised of high-quality, carefully co-ordinated components, many of which have been specially developed for the S line in its role as an entry point to the sporting world of Audi.

The new Audi A4 S Line is priced at $69,500 for the sedan and $73,100 for the Avant.

According to Audi Australia’s managing director, Graham Hardy, the Audi A4 S Line reflects the values of the S models and will prove attractive to customers who seek to combine sporty differentiation with a standard engine option.

“The S Line customer receives tried-and-tested Audi quality accompanied by a design with all the elements coordinated down to the finest detail straight from the factory,” Mr Hardy said.

“In contrast to external tuning offers, there are no superfluous standard parts and no extra costs for retro-fitting body kits.

“The S Line equipment package is available directly from Audi, and quattro GmbH is responsible for its development. Over a 20 year period this company has gained an outstanding reputation with its sporty version of standard products, customisations incorporating Audi quality, and high-performance vehicles such as the Audi RS 4, the RS 6 and the RS 6 Avant,” Mr Hardy added.

Equipped with quattro all-wheel drive, the 4-cylinder Audi A4 S Line is able to transmit power to the road with maximum effectiveness. An impressive torque curve, peaking at 240 Nm, is available from 1,950 through to 4,700 rpm.

The A4 S Line sedan sprints from 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds. The Avant takes 8.5 seconds.

Sporty 17-inch alloy wheels with 235/45 tyres complement an exclusive S Line body kit including sports suspension, sports bumpers front and rear, an aerodynamic rear spoiler and S Line decals.

Standard equipment includes features such as sports seats with electric lumbar support, sports steering wheel, leather and alcantara upholstery, Chorus sound system with 10 speakers and CD changer, integrated foglights (front and rear), and SIDEGUARD head airbag curtain, as well as front and side airbags for driver and front passenger.

2004 Audi S4

9th February, 2004

Audi Launches All-New S4 in Australia

Audi Australia has launched the all-new Audi S4 sedan with its unique combination of style, sporting exclusivity and versatility.

The ultimate practical sportscar, the fire-breathing S4 is the latest model to highlight Audi’s evolving position of sporty performance in the Australian market.

The all new S4 is available with the choice of a 6-speed manual transmission and a 6-speed tiptronic gearbox, priced at $129,500 and $132,500 respectively.

The heart of the new Audi S4 is undoubtedly its 4.2-litre V8 engine, a first for Audi in the A4 model range. Producing an eyebrow-raising 253 kW of power and maximum torque of 410 Nm, the new S4 boasts supreme power development resulting from the engine’s large capacity.

Completing the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.6 seconds, the new S4 takes only 20.6 seconds to reach 200 km/h, whilst the top speed is a governed 250 km/h.

Audi Australia’s managing director, Graham Hardy, believes this range-topping variant will win the hearts of many Australian customers.

“Audi’s “S” model vehicles have been gaining favour in Australia as an increasing number of customers come to understand and appreciate their design subtlety, absolute luxury and genuine high-performance,” Mr Graham Hardy said.

“The S4’s permanent quattro four-wheel drive and sports-tuned high-performance suspension ensure that the power from its new V8 engine can be converted into maximum forward propulsion and driving responsiveness.

“We expect this all-new model to build upon the success of its predecessor,” Mr Hardy added.

The S4 boasts a new 4.2-litre V8 engine which is impressive thanks to its compact design. Its dimensions – especially the length of only 464 millimetres – enable the installation of a V8 for the first time in an extremely slim engine compartment.

To make this compact feature possible, Audi’s engine developers installed a chain drive for camshafts and ancillaries on the engine output side, making it possible to reduce the length by no less than 52 millimetres.

The entire V8, with a gross weight of just 195 kilograms, is just as light as its predecessor in the previous S4, a twin-turbo 2.7-litre V6 engine, resulting in major benefits for the weight balance and handling characteristics.

In practice, the V8 engine is spontaneous and responsive to every movement of the accelerator pedal.

Power is transferred to the wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox of the latest generation, notable for its closely spaced ratios and extreme precision, with short sports-style shifts, and quattro permanent four-wheel drive. A 6-speed tiptronic gearbox with Dynamic Shift Programme (DSP) and sporty “S” mode is also available for Australian buyers.

The only car in its class with permanent all-wheel drive, the S4 is able to convert its engine output into propulsive power efficiently at all times and reaches new heights of superiority through the handling capability of its aluminium chassis.

The lightweight aluminium suspension, based on the much-praised axle design of the A4 series, provides the ideal basis for maximum agility and driving pleasure.

Four-link front suspension and trapezoidal-link rear suspension enable maximum steering precision and clearly defined handling with excellent cornering stability. Ride comfort also benefits from this ingenious axle design because a low unsprung mass also makes for a particularly sensitive response from the suspension.

The superiority of the new Audi S4 is reflected in its deliberately restrained appearance, differing quite subtly from the other members of the model line.

The powerful-looking, fully painted bumpers with large air inlets, xenon headlights with contrasting titanium-coloured inner housing and polished aluminium exterior mirrors indicate to those in the know that they are looking at an unique variant.

Powerful exhaust tailpipes on both sides and a discreet rear spoiler on the saloon are characteristic features of the Audi S4.

An S4 is also immediately recognisable on the inside. The instrument cluster features the grey dials and special needles that are characteristic of all “S” models. The three-spoke sports steering wheel with leather trim and “S” emblem also emphasises the vehicle’s sporting character.

The new generation of electrically-adjustable Recaro sports seats provide firm lateral support and excellent comfort on long journeys.

Australian specification vehicles boast high levels of standard equipment including exclusive S model badging, brushed aluminium mirrors and trim strips, a high-performance braking system, acoustic parking, servotronic ‘sports-tuned’ speed sensitive steering, sports suspension, 18” alloy wheels of Avus design, xenon headlights, Recaro electric front seats with electric lumbar support, leather and alcantara upholstery, split-fold rear seats and Symphony sound system with 10 loudspeakers and CD changer.

The Audi S4 Avant will be available for Australian customers from May this year, followed by the all-new S4 Cabriolet during the second half of 2004.

2004 Audi Allroad V8 quattro

9th February, 2004

Audi's Allroad Quattro with New V8 Engine

Athletic on the road and sure-footed off the road, Audi’s all-terrain Allroad quattro has been launched in Australia with a powerful new V8 engine.

Demonstrating the scope for a vehicle that has the elegance, road behaviour and comfort of the luxury class, the Audi Allroad quattro also boasts versatile off-road capabilities. It has been combining "the best of both worlds" since it arrived in Australia in 2001.

With the introduction of the new Allroad quattro 4.2, priced at $108,900, Audi has pulled off a masterstroke in adding the special flair of a V8 engine to its range of power units, which already includes the 2.5 TDI (132 kW/180 bhp) and 2.7T (184 kW/250 bhp).

Audi Australia’s managing director, Graham Hardy, believes the allroad quattro concept is equally at home in front of a five-star hotel or 'beyond the back of Bourke', breaking new ground with its winning combination of premium-quality luxury motoring and outstanding off-road capability.

“The Allroad quattro is the ideal answer for drivers who have agonised over the "either – or" buying decision between an off-road recreational vehicle and a conventional road-going car,” Mr Hardy said.

“In the Allroad quattro, Audi has made the choice simple with one vehicle that fulfils both needs. On all kinds of terrain and in every situation, Audi’s permanent all-wheel drive 'quattro' system with its impressive abilities, ensures that when the going gets tough, the Audi Allroad quattro keeps going.

“The introduction of the V8 engine adds a new dimension to this already-impressive vehicle. Outstanding driving performance and the seamless power delivered by the 4.2-litre engine make the Allroad quattro V8 a desirable sports car, as well as a versatile all-rounder,” Hardy added.

As the new range-topper, the Audi Allroad quattro 4.2, has a power output of 220 kW (300 bhp) and shines with truly impressive sporting performance, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.2 seconds, with a top speed of 240 km/h.

The broad peak-torque range of this smooth-running eight-cylinder unit, however, is even more impressive. A constant 380 Nm is available between 2,700 and 4,600 rpm. The driver can thus take advantage of maximum propulsive power at all times within this speed range. A supremely confident driving experience is the automatic result.

The Allroad quattro 4.2 features a 5-speed tiptronic transmission with Dynamic Shift Program DSP that adapts itself to the driver's chosen style. In the tiptronic gate it also allows sequential gear selection using either the gear lever in the centre console or via the tiptronic switches in the cross-spokes of the leather sports steering wheel.

In addition to DSP, there is a Sport programme that places the emphasis squarely on dynamic performance, allowing the modern five-speed automatic transmission to be enjoyed even when adopting a particularly sporty driving style.

In the "S" selector lever position the transmission changes up later and down earlier. The driver thus benefits from maximum pulling power and can make even better use of the available torque.

The addition of the 4.2-litre engine enhances the flexibility of the allroad quattro concept which already boasts 4-level air suspension, quattro drive and tiptronic with Dynamic Shift Programme DSP and Sport programme.

Unlike its direct competitors, the Audi Allroad quattro offers a 4-level air suspension system with integrated ride height control that keeps the selected level constant, regardless of changes in the vehicle's payload or weight distribution.

Both axles have air spring struts controlled by separate height sensors. These vary the ride height at every wheel to ensure ample ground clearance in all circumstances and optimum aerodynamics when driving at high speeds. As road speed increases, this intelligent system lowers the body in four stages, enabling a range of between 208 and 142 millimetres of ground clearance.

This allows the Allroad quattro to tackle obstacles that could stop many of its rivals in off-road conditions, while handling like a high performance saloon on the bitumen. The driver can also select the various air-suspension ride heights manually at the press of a button – a useful feature if the surface under the wheels varies frequently.

The Audi Allroad quattro’s design reflects its functional character.

Based on the elegant A6 Avant, the Allroad quattro goes one step further with a wider track and a moderate increase in body height, resulting in a highly individual, muscular silhouette.

An undertray made of ribbed stainless steel, boldly shaped bumpers and flared wheel arches are immediate clues to the Allroad quattro’s off-road talents. This bold appearance is emphasised still more by a ribbed roof painted in a contrasting colour.

The leather front seats are also of a special pattern, developed exclusively for the Allroad quattro. Without restricting the occupant’s freedom of movement in any way, they provide excellent lateral support, so that the driver and front-seat passenger are held securely even when crossing very rough terrain.

In keeping with a vehicle designed for both work and play, the Audi Allroad quattro has a flexible occupant and load area. It offers either seating for up to five people, or a vast load area with a maximum volume of 1,590 litres. Thanks to an impressive payload limit of 630 kilogrammes, the Allroad quattro swallows cargo with ease.

These outstanding qualities make the Audi Allroad quattro an unrivalled all-rounder. Its versatility, powerful engine, four-level suspension and quattro permanent all-wheel drive herald a flexible new chapter for the brand.

With the introduction of the new V8 variant, Audi has also introduced revised specification levels for its existing Allroad quattro models, now priced at $89,900 for the 2.7T and $82,900 for the 2.5 TDI.

“The introduction of a clear range-topping variant with the new V8 has enabled us to make the Allroad quattro range even more competitive by redefining the level of specification of each model and repositioning the range in line with our direct competitors,” Graham Hardy said.

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