Thursday 14th November 2019

ABT launches power upgrade for Audi S4

Germany's most prolific VW Group tuner has turned its attention to Audi's latest diesel V6

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Audi's new, black-pump take on its latest S-badged models has certainly proved to be divisive. Not just in the forums, but in PH HQ, too, where the difference between a 'proper' petrol engine and a 'real-world appropriate' diesel have been argued long into several lunch hours.

The outcome of those 'discussions' is unlikely to be altered by the announcement of ABT's latest tuning efforts, but it ought to add fuel to one side's fire in respect to outright performance. Because, as you'd expect, the VW Group's favourite third-party tuner has inevitably rendered more of the good stuff from the new 3.0-litre V6 lump.

Where previously there was 347hp, ABT has now delivered 384hp, courtesy of a new engine control unit. Perhaps more importantly, you also get an additional 44lb ft of torque, taking peak output to 561lb ft - which is slightly more than was discharged by the Performance edition of the outgoing RS6.

Obviously that doesn't render dramatically improved 0-62mph times - ABT reckons its S4 Avant will reach the wrong side of the national limit 0.2 seconds quicker than the standard model. But we'd imagine the car delivers noticeably more in-gear, overtaking pep - and that from a car already chocked full of straight-line commitment.

Of course if you want the S4 to corner with slightly more vigour at the end of said line, the tuner also offers adjustable coilovers which will lower the car anywhere between 15 and 40mm, alongside slightly more robust anti-roll bars.

We wouldn't recommend taking it up on either offering - or the admittedly fetching ABT Sport GR 20-inch alloys - given the already decent ride and handling compromise meted out by the standard chassis. But it's hard to argue against the power upgrade if you're buying an S4 with half a mind on rattling BMW M3 owners. Just don't count on the enhancement changing anyone else's mind.

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Search for an Audi S4 here

[ZX10R NIN]

I really like those wheels.

[MDMA .]

ZX10R NIN said:

I really like those wheels.

I think they need a new wheel designer Not liked them since the A20 series ones made by OZ or the later 5 spokes made by BBS. The curved multi spokes above just don't suit the body shape IMO.

[simonbamg]

Really like the wheels give it the OEM+ look

[tosh.brice]

The article almost makes the power / torque upgrade seem VW Group approved - doesn't it invalidate the warranty?

[HumanSteamroller]

Yep, liking those wheels.

[vertastic]

I like the look of that a lot. Something about the rear end

[Speedgirl]

+1 for the wheels

[PH_77]

vertastic said:

I like the look of that a lot. Something about the rear end

The fake exhausts?

[thiscocks]

Don't like the wheels. Too fussy.

[napoleondynamite]

Those alloys look like somebody has searched "20 INCH WHEELS WITH TYRES" on ebay and then clicked sort by lowest price first.

[thiscocks]

napoleondynamite said:

Those alloys look like somebody has searched "20 INCH WHEELS WITH TYRES" on ebay and then clicked sort by lowest price first.

[the_hood]

Almost all the comments about the wheels. Says it all really.

[Hellbound]

Now all ABT need to do is offer a genuine exhaust that removes those fake ends. Or just offer replacement blanks to give it a seamless bumper look.

[Gavin0478]

tosh.brice said:

The article almost makes the power / torque upgrade seem VW Group approved - doesn't it invalidate the warranty?

Not sure if correct now but ABT power upgrades used to be circa £2000 over a remap of £500 from somewhere like mrc because they included a powertrain warranty to run alongside the manufacturers.