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Photo of a Audi S4

Audi S4

From the C4's turbo five to the B6's 4.2-liter V8, quattro never left the recipe.1

Researched November 9, 2026 from 36 sources

Also called

  • Ur-S4The first S4's nickname comes from the German Ursprünglich, meaning original.1

At a glance

0200400
227–354 hpPower
0510
4.7–6.2 s0–100 km/h
0125250
204.4–250 km/hTop speed
0400800
350–700 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,535–1,855 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.1678

Layout
Longitudinal front engine; standard quattro all-wheel drive1
Gearbox
5/6-speed manual; 4/5/6/8-speed automatic; 7-speed dual-clutch S tronic13
Built at
Ingolstadt (B5/B6); Neckarsulm (C4); Karmann Rheine (B6 Cabriolet), Germany1

The story

Created as the Audi 100's performance model in 1991, the C4 S4 became the S6 when the 100 was renamed A6 in 1994. S4 returned on the A4-based B5 in 1997, retaining standard quattro all-wheel drive.12

1991: C4 S4 launches as a fast Audi 10019911992: C4 gains a 276 hp V819921994: 100 becomes A6; S4 becomes S619941997: S4 returns on the A4-based B519972003: B6 brings a 4.2-liter V820032010: 2010 S4: 333 hp, supercharged20102016: B9 returns to turbocharging20162019: Europe's 700 Nm S4 TDI20192025: End of the S4; S5 takes over2025 Audi 200 turbo quattro 20V (C3): 1989–1991C3Audi 100 (C4): 1990–1994C4Audi S4 (Ur-S4) (C4): 1991–1994C4Audi S6 (C4): 1994–1997C4Audi S4 (B5): 1997–2002B5Audi S4 (B6): 2003–2005B6Audi S4 (B7): 2005–2009B7Audi S4 (B8): 2009–2016B8Audi S5: 2025– 19901995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones12451113152021
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1989–1991Audi 200 turbo quattro 20V (C3)
1990–1994Audi 100 (C4)
1991–1994Audi S4 (Ur-S4) (C4)
1994–1997Audi S6 (C4)
1997–2002Audi S4 (B5)
2003–2005Audi S4 (B6)
2005–2009Audi S4 (B7)
2009–2016Audi S4 (B8)
2025–Audi S5
1991C4 S4 launches as a fast Audi 100
1992C4 gains a 276 hp V8
1994100 becomes A6; S4 becomes S6
1997S4 returns on the A4-based B5
2003B6 brings a 4.2-liter V8
20102010 S4: 333 hp, supercharged
2016B9 returns to turbocharging
2019Europe's 700 Nm S4 TDI
2025End of the S4; S5 takes over
  1. 1991

    C4 S4 launches as a fast Audi 100

    Production starts in August, with a turbocharged 2.2-liter five-cylinder replacing the Audi 200 turbo quattro 20V.1

  2. 1992

    C4 gains a 276 hp V8

    European buyers gain a 276 hp 4.2-liter V8 in October, exclusively with a six-speed manual in sedan or Avant form.1

  3. 1994

    100 becomes A6; S4 becomes S6

    Audi renames the 100 as A6 and the S4 as S6, keeping the C4 car fundamentally unchanged.1

  4. 1997

    S4 returns on the A4-based B5

    The A4-based S4 arrives with a 2.7 biturbo V6, six-speed manual or five-speed Tiptronic, and a claimed 0–100 km/h time of 5.7s.12

  5. 2003

    B6 brings a 4.2-liter V8

    The 4.2 V8 gets six-speed manual/auto gearboxes. Manual 0–100 km/h: sedan 5.6s, Avant 5.8s; Cabriolet follows in 2004 at 5.9s.1

  6. 2010

    2010 S4: 333 hp, supercharged

    The B8's 3.0-liter supercharged V6 delivers 333 hp and 441 Nm, with a six-speed manual or seven-speed S tronic.34

  7. 2016

    B9 returns to turbocharging

    A 3.0-liter turbo V6, eight-speed automatic and 40:60 front/rear torque split deliver 500 Nm and 0–100 km/h in 4.7s for the sedan.56

  8. 2019

    Europe's 700 Nm S4 TDI

    European orders open in May: a 3.0 V6 diesel delivers 700 Nm, using 48-volt mild hybrid hardware and an electric compressor.6

  9. 2025

    End of the S4; S5 takes over

    The B9 is the final S4 generation. A gasoline mild hybrid S5 takes over as the A4 family bows out.135

Every generation

  • Audi 200 turbo quattro 20V
    C31989–1991
  • Audi 100
    C41990–1994
  • Audi S4 (Ur-S4)
    C41991–1994
  • Audi S6
    C41994–1997
  • Audi S4
    B51997–2002
  • Audi S4
    B62003–2005
  • Audi S4
    B72005–2009
  • Audi S4
    B82009–2016
  • Audi S5
    Audi S52025–

Power over the years

From 227 hp to 354 hp in 27 years.

0100200300400 1990199520002005201020152020 hp 1991 · 227 hp · C4 2.2 turbo five1992 · 276 hp · C4 4.2 V8 (Europe)1997 · 261 hp · B5 2.7 biturbo (Europe)2000 · 250 hp · B5 2.7 biturbo (US)2003 · 340 hp · B6 4.2 V82005 · 339 hp · B7 4.2 V8, 410 Nm2010 · 333 hp · B8 3.0 supercharged V62013 · 333 hp · B8.5 3.0 supercharged V62018 · 354 hp · B9 3.0 turbo V6 (2018 rating)2019 · 342 hp · B9.5 S4 TDI (Europe)2020 · 349 hp · B9 3.0 turbo V6 (2020 rating) 354 hp B9 3.0 turbo V6 (2018 rating) 227 hp C4 2.2 turbo five
13569101112
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1991227C4 2.2 turbo five
1992276C4 4.2 V8 (Europe)
1997261B5 2.7 biturbo (Europe)
2000250B5 2.7 biturbo (US)
2003340B6 4.2 V8
2005339B7 4.2 V8, 410 Nm
2010333B8 3.0 supercharged V6
2013333B8.5 3.0 supercharged V6
2018354B9 3.0 turbo V6 (2018 rating)
2019342B9.5 S4 TDI (Europe)
2020349B9 3.0 turbo V6 (2020 rating)

Versions

12 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Performance

    C4 S4 2.2 turbo sedan / Avant

    1991–1994

    227 hp

  • Performance

    B5 S4 2.7 biturbo sedan / Avant

    1997–2002

  • B6/B7 S4 4.2 V8

    Performance

    B6/B7 S4 4.2 V8

    2003–2009

    339 hp

  • Standard

    B8/B8.5 S4 Premium Plus / Prestige

    2009–2016

    333 hp

  • Standard

    S4 Premium / Premium Plus / Prestige

    2025

    349 hp
  • B9 S4 TDI sedan / Avant

    Performance

    B9 S4 TDI sedan / Avant

    2019–2024

    342 hp
  • C4 S4 4.2 V8 sedan / Avant

    Performance

    C4 S4 4.2 V8 sedan / Avant

    1992–1994

    276 hp

  • Performance

    S4 S Sport package

    2018

    354 hp

  • Special

    S4 Black Edition sedan / Avant

    2012

    333 hp

  • Special

    S4 Black Optic package

    2020

    349 hp
  • S4 25quattro

    Limited

    S4 25quattro

    2006

    340 hp

    250 built

  • Limited

    S4 Nogaro Blue Edition

    2015

    333 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • C4: a continuous rear light strip stretches across the tail.2
  • B5: 17-inch Avus alloy wheels have six arms.1
  • B7: an elongated single-frame grille dominates the nose.11
  • B8: mostly rectangular headlights have an R8-like LED strip.4
  • B9: four tailpipes help distinguish the S4 from the A4.57

Year by year

  1. 1994 (C4)

    The Audi 100 becomes the A6, and its S4 becomes the S6; the body receives only light cosmetic revisions.1

  2. 2001.5+ (B5)

    Aluminum mirror housings become standard on later B5 cars.1

  3. 2005 (B7)

    The B7 facelift brings the elongated single-frame grille and a restyled nose and tail.11

  4. 2013 model year (B8.5)

    Headlights gain a more complex LED shape; the grille gets clipped upper corners, fog lights turn rectangular, and rear LEDs are revised.4

  5. 2013 model year (B8.5)

    Inside, a flat-bottom steering wheel and revised infotainment/navigation distinguish the facelift.4

  6. 2020 model year (B9)

    A honeycomb grille and new LED lights update the exterior; a 10.1-inch touchscreen replaces the 8.3-inch screen and rotary controller.512

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Audi S4
    S4
    Photo of a Audi A4 (2020)
    Audi A4 (2020)

    Audi A4 (2020)

    For 2020, the A4 has double grille slats; the S4 uses honeycomb mesh with silver inserts and four chrome exhaust tips.12

  • Photo of a Audi S4
    S4
    Photo of a Audi S5 Sportback (2018)
    Audi S5 Sportback (2018)

    Audi S5 Sportback (2018)

    The 2018 S5 Sportback has a coupe-like roofline and a rear hatch; the S4 sedan uses a conventional trunk.7

  • Audi S6 (C4)

    The C4 S4 was renamed S6 in 1994; only light cosmetic changes separate them, so the model badge matters.1

Against its rivals

  • BMW M5 (1992)

    S4 vs BMW M5 (1992)

    Base price (S4 est.) lower is better

    S4$45,500
    BMW M5 (1992)$64,430
    8
  • Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG (2003)

    S4 vs Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG (2003)

    Quarter-mile lower is better

    S413.6 s
    Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG (2003)13.6 s
    10

Prices

Value today $15.5K–$19.8K928

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K$80K 1995200020052010201520202025 Value today: $15,500–$19,750 1992 · $45,500 · US base estimate, 5-speed2003 · $45,000 · US base estimate, 6-speed2006 · $62,670 · US 25quattro, sticker total2010 · $59,150 · US Prestige, as tested2015 · $66,150 · US Nogaro Blue Edition, sticker2016 · $56,650 · US Premium Plus, sticker total2018 · $52,375 · US base, sedan2020 · $50,895 · US base, sedan2020 · $62,840 · US Premium Plus, as tested2025 · $56,195 · US base, Premium 1992 · $45,500 · US estimated base price, 1992 model year 2020 · $17,500 · 2006 S4 25quattro 6-speed, 43k miles, BaT2023 · $34,000 · 2015 S4 Nogaro Blue Edition, 48k miles, BaT2024 · $10,250 · 1993 S4 5-speed, 85k miles, BaT2025 · $18,250 · 2016 S4 Premium Plus 6-speed, 78k miles, BaT2025 · $19,750 · 1992 S4 5-speed, 65k miles, BaT2025 · $12,500 · 2007 S4 6-speed, 64k miles, BaT2025 · $13,750 · 2006 S4 25quattro 6-speed, 88k miles, BaT2025 · $23,000 · 2001 S4 6-speed, 88k miles, BaT2025 · $30,086 · 2005 S4 Avant 6-speed, 56k miles, BaT2025 · $26,250 · 2018 S4 Premium Plus, 75k miles, BaT2025 · $21,750 · 2015 S4 Premium Plus 6-speed, 51k miles, BaT2026 · $15,500 · 2000 S4 6-speed, 118k miles, BaT2026 · $14,000 · 2007 S4 Cabriolet, 47k miles, BaT $34.0K BaT, 2023
78910121315161719282930313233343536
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1992Launch price$45,500US estimated base price, 1992 model year
1992Price when new$45,500US base estimate, 5-speed
2003Price when new$45,000US base estimate, 6-speed
2006Price when new$62,670US 25quattro, sticker total
2010Price when new$59,150US Prestige, as tested
2015Price when new$66,150US Nogaro Blue Edition, sticker
2016Price when new$56,650US Premium Plus, sticker total
2018Price when new$52,375US base, sedan
2020Price when new$50,895US base, sedan
2020Price when new$62,840US Premium Plus, as tested
2025Price when new$56,195US base, Premium
2020Auction sale$17,5002006 S4 25quattro 6-speed, 43k miles, BaT
2023Auction sale$34,0002015 S4 Nogaro Blue Edition, 48k miles, BaT
2024Auction sale$10,2501993 S4 5-speed, 85k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$18,2502016 S4 Premium Plus 6-speed, 78k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$19,7501992 S4 5-speed, 65k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$12,5002007 S4 6-speed, 64k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$13,7502006 S4 25quattro 6-speed, 88k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$23,0002001 S4 6-speed, 88k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$30,0862005 S4 Avant 6-speed, 56k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$26,2502018 S4 Premium Plus, 75k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$21,7502015 S4 Premium Plus 6-speed, 51k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$15,5002000 S4 6-speed, 118k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$14,0002007 S4 Cabriolet, 47k miles, BaT
2026Value today$15,500–$19,750

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 12 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “402.4 km/h from a 1993 S4 project”
    • “Galati's back-to-back GT titles”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 9 generations

  • Market

    • 5 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 36 sources
  1. Audi S4 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. 30 Years of Audi S4 - Secret Classics secret-classics.com
  3. Audi B8 S4 vs. B9 S4: How Does The Last Generation Stack Up Against The Enthusiast Favorite | FCP Euro fcpeuro.com
  4. Audi S4 & S5 B8 & B8.5 Buyer's Guide | FCP Euro fcpeuro.com
  5. Used Audi S4 (B9, 2016 - 2024) – review, prices and specs of a punchy M340i alternative | evo evo.co.uk
  6. The Audi S4 TDI | audi.com audi.com
  7. Faster If Not Fiercer: 354-HP 2018 Audi S4 Tested! caranddriver.com
  8. 1992 Audi S4 vs. 1992 BMW M5 vs. 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500E caranddriver.com
  9. 2000 Audi S4 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $15,500 on August 25, 2026 (Lot #259,525) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  10. Tested: 2003 German Sports Sedan and Coupe Showdown caranddriver.com
  11. First drive: Audi updates flame-grilled S4! | GoAuto goauto.com.au
  12. 2020 Audi S4 First Drive Review: Perfectly Packaged Performance motortrend.com
  13. 2006 Audi S4 25Quattro 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $17,500 on November 16, 2020 (Lot #39,208) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  14. V8 Audi S4: 9 Things To Know Before You Buy | CarThrottle carthrottle.com
  15. No Reserve: 2016 Audi S4 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $18,250 on June 20, 2025 (Lot #197,055) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  16. 2010 Audi S4 Long Term Road Test roadandtrack.com
  17. 2025 Audi S4 Review | Pricing, Trims & Photos - TRUECar truecar.com
  18. 2012 Audi S4 review | evo evo.co.uk
  19. No Reserve: 2015 Audi S4 Nogaro Blue Edition for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $34,000 on December 13, 2023 (Lot #130,561) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  20. Audi 200 C3 – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  21. Audi 100 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  22. Audi S2 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  23. RS6 Home championracing.net
  24. Ex-Hans-Joachim Stuck Audi S4 GTO silhouette racer is up for grabs - Octane Magazine octane-magazine.com
  25. How This ’90s Audi Became The World’s Fastest Sedan - The Autopian theautopian.com
  26. 『グランツーリスモ』PSP®版 - 収録車種一覧 gran-turismo.com
  27. Audi S4 v BMW 335i v Mitsubishi Evo X FQ330 | evo evo.co.uk
  28. Original-Owner 1992 Audi S4 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $19,750 on August 19, 2025 (Lot #205,926) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  29. Original-Owner 1993 Audi S4 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $10,250 on August 3, 2024 (Lot #156,996) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  30. No Reserve: 2007 Audi S4 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $12,500 on November 25, 2025 (Lot #221,202) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. 2018 Audi S4 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $26,250 on May 21, 2025 (Lot #192,703) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. 2005 Audi S4 Avant 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $30,086 on August 6, 2025 (Lot #203,938) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. No Reserve: 47k-Mile 2007 Audi S4 Cabriolet for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $14,000 on September 12, 2026 (Lot #262,940) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. 2006 Audi S4 25quattro Special Edition 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $13,750 on September 5, 2025 (Lot #208,674) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. 2001 Audi S4 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $23,000 on August 29, 2025 (Lot #207,628) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. 2015 Audi S4 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $21,750 on May 8, 2025 (Lot #190,858) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • secret-classics.com
  • fcpeuro.com
  • evo.co.uk
  • audi.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • bringatrailer.com
  • goauto.com.au
  • motortrend.com
  • carthrottle.com
  • roadandtrack.com
  • truecar.com
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • championracing.net

Photo credits

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