MTM Supercharged Audi S4

German tuners MTM have given the Audi S4 and S5 Cabrio enough power to compete with their up-trimmed siblings. Through the use of their M-Cantronic ECU system, MTM has given the two cars – both powered by the 3.0 TFSI V6 engine – 430 horsepower, which is only 10 hp less than the stock Audi RS4’s V8 engine.

Along with the M-Cantronic system, MTM uses new exhaust components to help with power delivery. The MTM S4 is also equipped with bigger brakes and 8-piston calipers, a lowered suspension, and 19-inch Bimoto wheels.

430 horsepower get the MTM S4 from zero to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds with the 6-speed manual transmission, and can reach a top speed of 177 mph with the optional V-Cantronic system which removes the top speed limiter from the stock ECU.

The kit is not cheap, either. For both the M-Cantronic and V-Cantronic system producing 430 hp, the system costs $4,600 USD, another $6,183 for the exhaust system, and $6,046 for the wheels. The suspension tuning is $1,048, and the big brakes are $6,654, coming to a total of $24,531 for the MTM S4, plus the price of the car, if you don’t add any other options.

Right before the Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi is announcing two new A4 models, each using a different fuel.

The most exciting of the two is the A4 3.0 TDI quattro. I’m not sure if we’ll be getting this is the States (cross your fingers,) but it uses the same 3.0-liter diesel engine found in the Q7 TDI. Achieving about 35 mpg, the A4 TDI boasts 240 horsepower and even more impressive, 369 lb/ft of torque. The engine is paired with a 6-speed tiptronic transmission which can get the A4 from 0-62 mph in 6.2 seconds.

The second A4 announced runs on biofuel, aka E85. This fuel is a mixture of 85% ethanol to 15% gasoline, which provides more power, but a significant reduction in fuel economy. Great for corn farmers, not so great for consumers. Audi’s E85 engine for the A4 will be a 2.0-liter TFSI producing 180 hp and 236 lb/ft of torque. Fuel economy is terrible, as expected, at about 26 mpg. Put regular premium gasoline in the same engine and you’ll get 36 mpg – 10 mpg more. I still don’t understand why manufacturers are making these flex-fuel cars, I think they’re terrible.

To get this straight then, we have two new engines – one TDI and one E85. The TDI gets 240 hp and 369 torque and achieves 35 mpg, while the 180/236 E85 gets 26 mpg.

Right.

Yes, E85 fuel is a bit cheaper since the government wants you to use it, but not that much cheaper. I’ll stick with the TDI, thanks.

2010 Audi S4

Audi just sent out an email to newsletter subscribers to check out the new 2010 S4, which is now featured on their customer-facing AudiUSA.com website.

The A4 is a fantastic vehicle, and serves as a high quality, luxurious and sporty version of a mid-range sedan. The S4, which for 2009 was not updated with the new A4 design, is now part of the new generation, and it looks great.

The 2010 Audi S4 features a 333 horsepower, 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine capable of propelling the car from 0 to 60 in only 4.9 seconds, and still gets 28 mpg on the highway. We drove a 2009 Audi A4 with the 265 hp 3.2-liter V6 a few months ago and it’s only rated at 26 mpg on the highway. This new S4 powerplant is impressive. Of course you’ll never be driving slow enough to manage 28 mpg, but it’s good knowing you could. The power will be transferred through a 7-speed S-tronic or 6-speed manual transmission down to the AWD quattro system.

On the outside, exclusive front and rear sport bumpers, unique aluminum optic finish on the mirrors and rear diffuser, and chrome quad tailpipes set the car apart from the A4. Inside, you’re treated to standard alcantara and leather trim, or you can opt for full, dual-color silk nappa leather sport seats.

We’ve been waiting for the 2010 S4, and it’s finally here. 333 hp and 28 mpg? Can’t beat that. Check out the photo gallery below:

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2009 Audi A4 3.2

Yet more praise for the excellent redesigned 2009 A4. Autoblog.com just reviewed the 3.2 quattro version, which looks like it may have been the exact same 2009 Audi A4 Automoblog.net reviewed in March, much to the same praise.

Just as everyone else in the automotive world right now, Autoblog was amazed at how good the A4 was, saying it’s “too good for its own good.” They also said that the 3.2-liter V6 in the A4 was good, but would take the “2.0-liter turbo nine-times-out-of-ten.” A good engine, but I like the smoothness and power of the 3.2. Unlike Autoblog, I’m not happy about Audi nixing the V6 next year.

They also stated:

The A4 is “easily in range of the segment stalwart, BMW 335i. We’d be lying if we said the A4 was just as entertaining as the Bimmer, but the security of all-wheel drive, the top-notch interior and the choice of a four-cylinder could easily put the Audi at the top of the list. And given the choice between the two we’d almost be compelled to pick the A4… almost.”

Seeing as how every semi-successful business person working in a downtown skyscraper trying to impress the neighbors has a 3-series, I’d chose the A4 every time.

Audi will be launching the 2.0 TDI e in June in dealerships across Europe. The 2.0 TDI e is the most fuel efficient mid-size sedan on the market. Burning diesel fuel, it manages to get 51.13 mpg out of the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and burn only 191.51 grams of CO2 per mile, which isn’t a figure we’re very familiar with here in the States.

The efficient “e” model produces 136hp, which while isn’t a great number, isn’t exactly focused on performance. It can run from 0 to 62 mph in 9.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 133mph. We Americans will just have to wait longer until diesel catches on over here, but I know many people who would be excited to get 51mpg out of a mid-size non-hybrid sedan, especially an Audi. The sedan is priced at 30,800 euros (currently a little over $42,200 USD,) and you can also get the “e” as an Avant. While it’s not exactly cheap, neither are comparable hybrids.

The A4 2.0 TDI e efficiency system works much like a hybrid, in that it turns off the engine when you’re stopped, which is especially helpful in stop-and-go traffic. Further effort has been taken to increase efficiency, such as low-resistance tires, a 6-speed manual transmission with a 5% higher final gear ratio, and a revised ECU. The system also uses a regenerative braking system (much like a hybrid,) which stores excess kinetic energy from braking in the battery, discharging it when you resume acceleration to reduce fuel use. Clever indeed.

The A4 2.0 TDI e also tries to save fuel by helping change fuel-guzzling driving habits. It has a shift indicator which is tuned to tell you the most fuel efficient times to shift, and displays all fuel efficiency information on the driver information display, making you see how much fuel you’re using and hopefully persuading you to drive more conservatively. Changing your driving habits alone have ben shown to increase efficiency by around 30% – a big savings at the pump. Audi has also improved the A4 aerodynamics in the “e” model to reduce drag,

Overseas, this is actually the fourth efficiency-focused “e” model Audi has released. Apparently the accountants over at Audi don’t think us Yankees are ready to get 44mpg out of an A6 luxury sedan, or the same 44 mpg out of the TT sports car. Don’t worry though…when gas prices go back up to $4/gallon or higher, we’ll start seeing these over here.

Due to high demand in the US for smaller and more fuel efficient engines, Audi says they will be dropping the 3.2-liter V6 from the A3, A4, and TT for the 2010 model year in the States. I happen to like this smooth engine quite a bit, but the numbers show that it might not be worth it. The 2.0T engine offered in the A4 makes only 54 horsepower less power, and gets 4mpg better fuel economy than the V6. The four-cylinder also happens to get 15 lb-ft of torque more than the six.

Audi also states that there could be a possible overlap with this engine and the upcoming supercharged V6 in the S4 model. I wouldn’t see that creating any problems, but who am I to say? They hope their plans which include the A3 TDI, TT RS, and S4 will fill the gap left by the absence of the 3.2 V6.

Ever wanted to see an Audi A4 being made? Check out this video, which shows the car moving along the assembly line and being made from start to finish: