The New Audi S4 quattro - stunning power, superb handling and understated yet elegant lines

The heart of the Audi S4 quattro, available in Britain next April (and in the US shortly after), is its engine - a 4.2-liter V8 producing 344 bhp - enabling the S4 qauttro to rocket to 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds. It takes just 20.6 seconds to reach 124mph while the top speed is governed to 155mph.

The eight-cylinder engine is only 464 millimeters in length enabling an extremely small engine compartment. To make this compactness possible, Audi engine developers installed a chain drive for camshafts and ancillaries on the engine output side.

The V8 engine's gross weight of just 195 kilograms (~430 lbs.) is as light as the previous generation S4's twin-turbo 2.7-litre V6 engine resulting in major benefits to the weight balance and handling characteristics.

The 4.2-liter engine in the new S4 quattro produces its maximum power of 253 kW (344 bhp) at 7000 rpm. The peak torque of 410 Nm (~302 ft.lb) is available at 3500 rpm.

Also impressive is the engine's spontaneous response to every movement of the accelerator pedal, with its astonishing free revving nature and hefty torque which is characteristic of a V8.

Power is transferred to the wheels via the latest generation 6-speed manual gearbox , which is noted for its closely spaced ratios and extreme precision thanks to a short sports-style shift and quattro permanent four-wheel drive.

The S4 quattro can therefore convert its engine output into propulsive power most efficiently at all times and reach new heights of superiority through the handling potential of its aluminum suspension.