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2017 Audi S4 switches to turbo power, loses manual

If you dig the understated look of the 2017 Audi A4 but crave more power, then check out the latest S4. The new sport sedan sticks with a V6 but ditches the supercharger in favor of turbocharging to now produce estimated US figures of 354 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. If there's one downside to the upgrade, it's that Audi only plans to offer the mill with an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox. The 2017 S4 is now quicker than before. The run to 62 miles per hour takes just 4.7 seconds, versus 4.9 seconds for the current sedan to reach 60 mph. The top speed remains at an electronically limited 155 mph, but fuel economy is claimed to be improved with a rating of 31.8 miles per gallon on the European testing cycle. All S4s come with Audi's venerable Quattro all-wheel drive, and it generally operates with a 40:60 front-rear power split. As conditions change, a maximum of 70 percent of the grunt can go to the front or 85 percent to the rear. Handling is also aided by a tweaked suspension that sits 0.9-inches lower than the A4. Beyond the different badges, the latest S4 doesn't visually advertise its prowess. LED lighting is standard, and quad exhausts rest in a new rear bumper with a subtle diffuser. The side mirror housings also get some aluminum-look trim. The interior layout echoes the A4 but with sport seats and a mix of Nappa leather and Alcantara upholstery. Audi's digital instrument cluster is optional and includes an exclusive sport screen among the three views. The new S4 goes on sale in 2016 as a 2017 model. In addition to the lack of a manual, there's no intention of offering the S4 Avant in the US. Sporty and high-tech: the new Audi S4 and S4 Avant September 15, 2015 | FRANKFURT/INGOLSTADT, Germany Audi launches the new S4 and S4 Avant at the IAA in Frankfurt am Main. The top models from the A4 series are ahead of the competition – with intelligent lightweight design, powerful engines, an extensive package of the latest technologies, and 260 kW (354 hp), 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 4.7 seconds. (The all-new A4 and S4 are expected to go on sale in the U.S. market in 2016. The Avant is not planned for the U.S. market.) "At Audi, we have more than 20 years of expertise in developing our sporty S models," says Professor Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Audi Board of Management for Technical Development.

Mercedes considering Audi Allroad rival

The Audi Allroad is something of an anomaly in the automotive world. Its competitors are limited to the recently released Volvo V60 Cross Country and perhaps the far cheaper Subaru Outback. The lifted premium wagon hasn't exactly done great for Audi, only selling a few hundred examples each month. Its best sales year was 2013, and even then, only 5,300 left US showrooms. Despite these limited prospects, word from Australia is that Mercedes-Benz is looking at launching its own competitor to the Allroad. "We are looking at every single niche, so we are studying this [Allroad] at the moment, but it is not confirmed," Matthias Luhrs, VP of sales and a member of the product management at MB, told Motoring.com.au. "We are looking obviously at C-Class and E-Class, but no confirmation at the moment." Fortunately, Luhrs recognizes that the Allroad isn't exactly a smash in the US. "In the US, no matter how long, short, high ... they don't like station wagons," Luhrs said, while adding that the Allroad concept is "developing quite successfully" in Italy and southern Europe. And for those hoping for a lifted C- or E-Class sedan, Luhrs also put the kibosh on that, saying, "We are not studying that." So what does this tell us? Well, it's still far from a sure thing that Mercedes will launch a lifted C-Class or E-Class Estate. And even if the company does go ahead with it, like the rest of the brand's long roofs (E-Class aside), don't expect to see it on US roads.

Ford Mustang Mach 1 Spied, Audi debuted the 2017 TT RS in Beijing | Autoblog Minute

A quick recap of some of the weeks hottest stories. Eddie Sabatini reports on this edition of Autoblog Minute Weekly Recap. Audi Ford Autoblog Minute Videos Original Video mach 1 ford mustang mach 1