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Audi S4 Avant
The second generation
S4 debuted in 1997 as part of the B5 platform
A4 line-up. Although the S4 was no longer
available with a V8, its 2.7 L, twin-turbocharged
V6 engine was more than adequate, producing
265 PS (195 kW/261 hp) in European trim. The
engine was slightly detuned to meet US emissions
regulations, and power stopped at 250 PS (184
kW/247 hp) in North America. In
addition to the sedan, a wagon version, the
Audi S4 Avant, debuted in the 2001 model year.
The S4 could accelerate
up to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a mere 5.6 seconds
and had an electronically-limited top speed
of 250 km/h (155 mph), making it both the
quickest sedan in the Audi model line and
among the quickest sedans in the world at
that time. As in the previous S4, a six-speed
manual transmission was standard equipment,
as was the quattro all-wheel-drive. A five-speed
Tiptronic transmission became available for
the first time as an option. Production ceased
on the B5 S4 in 2001, although the last several
units sold were registered as 2002 models.
The
B5 S4 has a devoted enthusiast community
that focuses on attaining supercar-level
power and performance. Currently, the B5
S4 is by far the most potentially powerful
of the S4 lineup. Being a turbocharged car,
it can gain significant (50-60hp) power
by simply upgrading the engine management
software and nothing else. By replacing
the K03 turbos with the larger RS4's K04
turbos, aftermarket and home tuners can
easily increase power to the 450 hp (335
kW) range.
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