Audi S4 and S4 Avant to get 3.0-litre TDI V6 engine in Europe

KUALA LUMPUR: B9 Audi S4 and S4 Avant to soon get a 3.0-litre TDI V6 engine. Its the same mill that's found under the hoods of Audi S5, S6, and S7 TDI. Previously, the two cars were powered by a 3.0-litre V6 TFSI petrol engine in the European market, but to maintain the new WLTP standard and fleet emission targets, the carmaker has decided to replace it by this mild hybrid turbodiesel powertrain.

Both Audi S5 and S5 Sportback also get a 3.0 TDI mill, which is capable of churning out a maximum power of 347 PS and the peak torque sticks at 700 Nm. This engine is paired with an eight-speed torque converter automatic gearbox and supports the Quattro all-wheel-drive. The S4 TDI can speed up from 0 to 100 kmph in just 4.8 seconds. It can achieve a top speed at 250 kmph.

As mentioned earlier, the outgoing versions of B9 Audi S4 and S4 Avant in the European market have a petrol mill, which is capable of churning out a maximum of 359 PS along with a peak torque of 500 Nm. It takes just 4.7 seconds to speed up from 0 to 100 kmph, while for the Avant it takes 0.2 seconds extra. So, it seems that the new powertrain will provide similar performance like the outgoing one. The engine is expected to be available in other markets while the carmaker has not yet disclosed any information.

This electrified powertrain consists of a 48V belt-driven starter motor and an electrically powered compressor (EPC). At the time of accelerating, the EPC offers repeatable boost function and “very vigorous acceleration” and all of these happen within a response time under 300 milliseconds.

On the other hand, the belt alternator starter recovers around 11 PS of power along with 60 Nm of torque. The engine gets an air-cooled 0.5 kWh Li-ion battery, which will take place under the boot floor.