Upgraded Audi S4 and Audi S5 priced and specced

Prices and specifications for the updated Audi S4 sedan and wagon and S5 coupe, convertible and liftback have been announced today, before the revised mid-size luxury performance car range arrives in Australian showrooms in October.

Despite price hikes of between around $1000 and $2000 across the range, Audi says its answer to the BMW M340i and Mercedes-AMG C 43 deliver “enhanced customer value” via subtle exterior and interior revisions.

Powered by a 260kW/500Nm 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6, the facelifted Audi S4 sedan is now priced from $99,900 plus on-road costs – an increase of $1018.

The closely related Audi S4 Avant ($102,400), S5 Coupe ($106,900), S5 Sportback ($106,900) and S5 Cabriolet ($120,400) receive similar prices rises but remain roughly $10,000 cheaper than their corresponding Mercedes-AMG and BMW M Performance rivals.

Despite some turbo-diesel models returning to the A4 family, the mild-hybrid V6 turbo-diesel (255kW/700Nm) powertrain offered in S4 and S5 models overseas will not be available in Australia.

The new petrol-powered German bahnstormers have a 250km/h top speed and get all the goodies found in the recently updated Audi A4 and A5 range including a redesigned front-end, new LED signature headlights and simplified 10.1-inch touch-screen infotainment and 12.3-inch virtual cockpit instrument cluster.

The latest Audi S4 and S5 range also brings a head-up display and heated S sport front seats upholstered in fine Nappa leather, plus adjustable side support and a massage function. Matte brushed aluminium accents, stainless steel pedals and ambient LED lighting also make the cabins feel special.

Adaptive cruise control (not standard on most A4 models) is added here, along with traffic jam assist, active lane assist, park assist, 360-degree parking cameras, high-beam assist and a tub-thumping 755W Bang & Olufsen 19-speaker audio system with subwoofer.

Plump up for any of the S5 models and you get all of the above equipment along with bigger 20-inch alloy wheels and Matrix LED headlights that can illuminate around other road users without dazzling them.

The Audi S4 sedan and wagon roll on 19-inch alloy wheels and feature red brake callipers, metallic paint, S sport suspension with adaptive dampers, tinted windows, grey wing mirrors and a rear spoiler to differentiate them from garden-variety A4/A5 models.

While these high-performance vehicles may look like an Audi A4 or A5 with an S-line pack, there’s plenty of combat-level hardware lurking beneath – beginning with the 260kW/500Nm 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6.

The carry-over V6 hooks up to a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission and pumps through a permanent quattro all-wheel-drive system.

The result is rapid acceleration. Audi claims the S4 sedan and S5 couple can complete the 0-100km/h sprint in just 4.7 seconds, while the S4 Avant (4.9sec), S5 Sportback (4.8sec) and S5 Cabriolet (5.1sec) all take a little longer.

The quattro AWD system featured in the Audi S4 and Audi S5 can send up to 85 per cent of torque to the rear wheels and if you want the special-ops treatment, there’s an optional quattro sport rear differential.

This mechanical device adds torque vectoring across the rear axle, which is said to reduce understeer and improve handling predictability and mid-corner behaviour at full throttle.

Audi Australia product planning and pricing director Shawn Ticehurst says the updated S4/S5 range complements its extended ‘S’ model range.

“The refreshed S4 and S5 continue soon after the new versions of S6, S7, SQ7 and SQ8, creating a very strong range for customers that value especially performance and luxury.”

How much does the 2020 Audi S4 and Audi S4 cost?
Audi S4 – $99,900
Audi S4 Avant – $102,400
Audi S5 Coupe – $106,900
Audi S5 Sportback – $106,900
Audi S5 Cabrio – $120,400
* Prices exclude on-road costs