Frankfurt Motor Show: Audi S4 revealed

Audi has revealed its new S4 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the range-topping small sedan debuting a new 3.0-litre turbocharged V6.

The direct-injection six-pot develops 260kW/500Nm, channeled through a new eight-speed automatic gearbox to all four wheels.

Audi claims the extra grunt delivers 0-100km/h in 4.7sec, while top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h. It's also more frugal than its supercharged predecessor, with claimed fuel economy of just 7.4L/100km.

Quattro all-wheel drive splits drive 40:60 front-to-rear under normal driving circumstances, but is able to shuffle 70 per cent of the drive forward or 85 per cent aft depending on wheel slip.

An active sports centre differential is optional on European models, though may be made standard on Australian cars.

Handling prowess has been further improved thanks to a suspension overhaul, with a five-link configuration front and rear, while kerb weight has dropped 75kg to 1630kg (the wagon is 45kg heavier) and a ride height 23mm lower than regular A4 models.

The new S4's exterior styling is the very definition of evolutionary, but there have been bigger strides forward inside, with Audi's latest MMI operating system appearing for the first time.

Also available as an option is Audi's 'virtual cockpit', lifted from the new TT and R8, which replaces the traditional instruments with a giant TFT screen.

The new S4 and S4 Avant (wagon) are due to arrive in Australia towards the end of 2016 and we'd expect pricing to deviate little from the current models' $104,610 (sedan) and $108,110 (Avant).