Audi Prices New S4 From $45,900 In US

Isn't technology wonderful? Technology is what allows the new S4 to be faster than the old one, despite 25% less cylinders, 29% less displacement, and a few less horsepower.  The new generation S4 ditches Audi's old standby 4.2L V8 with a brand-new supercharged 3.0L V6, which makes 333bhp and 325 lb-ft of torque.

0-60 comes up four tenths of a second faster than the old V8 m0del, 4.9 seconds versus 5.3, but the most surprising thing is the gain in fuel economy.  For the record, the B7 S4 had a remarkable thirst for premium unleaded: 13 miles to every gallon in the city, and 20 on the highway wasn't really impressive to anyone, except Excursion drivers perhaps.  The new model returns 18 city and 27 highway, bumping the average from 16.5mpg to 22.5mpg.

What's the pricetag on all this gee-whiz technology and horsepower?  Well, $45,900 is what it takes to get you behind the wheel of a B8 S4.  That's with the standard 6-speed manual transmission; budget another $1,400 to get the 7-speed twin clutch automated gearbox.

Interestingly, with the B8 S4 Audi has shifted targets - rather than aiming for the M3 and AMG C-class, they're shooting for the largest-engine models of those respective lines - which would be the 335i and the C350.  It's interesting: the S4 is more expensive than both starting out (the BMW starts around 41k, the Mercedes around 39k) but it offers more power (33bhp more than the BMW and 65 more than the Merc) and better fuel economy than both.  However, as someone who's familiar with just how amazing a 335i is (at least in M-Sport specifications), I have to say the B8 S4 has to be extremely good to be worth 4k more than the BMW.  Time - and sales figures - will tell.  Meanwhile, Audi, how about a press car?