Is the 2004 Audi S4 Fast?

The 2004 Audi S4 is objectively fast for its era, with a 0–60 mph time of about 5.3–5.7 seconds and a top speed electronically limited to around 155 mph (250 km/h). While modern performance cars have become quicker, the 2004 S4 still delivers strong, V8-powered acceleration that feels muscular and genuinely quick in real-world driving.

Context: What “Fast” Meant in 2004 vs. Today

When the B6-generation Audi S4 launched for the 2004 model year, it moved the S4 nameplate into serious performance territory. It swapped the earlier twin-turbo V6 for a naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8, turning Audi’s compact executive sedan into a sub-6-second 0–60 mph car—numbers that placed it squarely in sports-sedan territory at the time. Today, as hot hatches and EVs dip into the 3–4 second range, the S4’s performance no longer looks extreme on paper, but for many drivers it still feels more than quick enough.

Engine and Powertrain: The Heart of the Speed

At the core of the 2004 Audi S4’s performance credentials lies its engine and drivetrain package, which together determine how “fast” the car feels both on paper and on the road.

The 4.2-Liter V8

Audi equipped the 2004 S4 with a 4.2-liter naturally aspirated V8, a major step up from the previous-generation S4’s turbocharged V6. This compact V8 was shoehorned into the B6 chassis and gave the S4 a character closer to a muscle sedan than a typical European compact executive car.

The key engine specs include:

• Displacement: 4.2 liters
• Configuration: 90-degree V8, aluminum block and heads
• Power output: Approximately 340 hp (in most markets)
• Torque: About 302 lb-ft (410 Nm)
• Redline: Around 7,000 rpm
• Induction: Naturally aspirated (no turbo or supercharger)

Taken together, these figures explain why the S4 can still be considered fast: the power and torque are delivered smoothly across the rev range, and the engine’s high-rev character adds urgency and drama that go beyond raw numbers.

Manual vs. Automatic: How Gearboxes Affect Speed

The 2004 S4 was offered with two main transmission choices, each shaping how its speed is delivered and perceived.

The typical transmission options were:

• 6-speed manual transmission (6MT), popular with enthusiasts
• 6-speed automatic (often referred to as Tiptronic), with manual shift mode
• Quattro all-wheel drive standard on both, aiding traction and launches

The manual version usually posts slightly quicker acceleration times and feels more engaging, while the automatic sacrifices a small amount of outright speed but offers easier daily usability. In either case, Quattro all-wheel drive gives the S4 excellent off-the-line traction, helping it put its power down effectively.

Performance Numbers: How Fast Is It, Really?

“Fast” can be subjective, but the 2004 S4 backs up its reputation with solid performance figures. Comparing factory claims and independent tests helps clarify where it stands.

Acceleration and Top Speed

Most instrumented tests of the 2004 S4 (B6) yield broadly similar results. Exact numbers vary slightly based on conditions, driver, and whether the car uses the manual or automatic transmission.

Commonly reported performance figures include:

• 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h): Approximately 5.3–5.7 seconds (quicker with manual)
• 0–100 km/h: Roughly 5.6–6.0 seconds
• Quarter-mile: Around 13.8–14.2 seconds at about 100–103 mph
• Top speed: Electronically limited to ~155 mph (250 km/h)
• 60–100 mph (passing power): Strong mid-range, delivered briskly thanks to V8 torque

These numbers placed the S4 among the quicker sedans of its segment in the mid-2000s, and they still qualify as performance-car territory today, even if no longer headline-grabbing in an age of hyper-fast EVs and turbocharged compacts.

How It Compares to Rivals of Its Era

To assess whether the 2004 S4 is fast, it’s helpful to set it against its main contemporaries in the German performance-sedan arena.

Compared with similar early- to mid-2000s models:

• BMW M3 (E46): Generally slightly quicker in acceleration and sharper in handling, but the S4 is close and offers all-wheel drive.
• Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG / C55 AMG: Comparable straight-line speed; the AMG cars often edge it in outright power, but the S4 counters with Quattro traction and all-weather usability.
• Previous-generation S4 (B5 twin-turbo V6): The 2004 S4’s V8 offers similar or slightly improved straight-line performance, but with a different, more linear power delivery and more dramatic sound.

Within this peer group, the 2004 S4 is clearly in the “fast car” category, even if it was not the single quickest option in every head-to-head test.

Real-World Speed: How the 2004 S4 Feels to Drive

On paper figures only tell part of the story. Many drivers evaluate “fast” based on how the car feels in everyday and spirited driving.

Acceleration Feel and Power Delivery

Unlike many modern turbocharged engines, the 4.2-liter V8 in the 2004 S4 builds power in a smooth, linear way, with a strong mid-range and a satisfying rush toward redline. There is no turbo lag; instead, the car responds predictably to throttle inputs, especially above 3,000 rpm.

In practical terms, this translates into:

• Confident highway merging and overtaking without needing to downshift aggressively.
• A sense of effortless pace up to legal speeds and somewhat beyond.
• Engaging, high-rev character that rewards more spirited driving on twisty or open roads.

This combination of instant response and broad torque band makes the S4 feel fast in real-world scenarios, even when modern spec sheets might suggest otherwise.

Handling, Grip, and All-Weather Performance

Speed is also about how quickly a car can cover ground safely and securely, especially in less-than-ideal conditions. The 2004 S4’s Quattro system provides a significant advantage here.

Key real-world handling traits include:

• Strong traction off the line and out of corners, particularly in wet or snowy conditions.
• Neutral to mildly understeery handling balance, typical of all-wheel-drive sedans of the era.
• Reassuring stability at high speeds on highways and autobahns.

It may not be the lightest or sharpest car in its class, but the S4’s ability to deploy power in almost any weather effectively makes it feel fast year-round, not just on dry summer days.

Modern Perspective: Is It Still Fast Today?

In a world where family crossovers can approach 6-second 0–60 times and performance EVs routinely dip below 4 seconds, the question becomes whether the 2004 S4 still counts as “fast” in a contemporary sense.

Comparison with Today’s Cars

Looking at today’s performance baseline reshapes the context—but doesn’t erase the car’s capabilities.

Relative to today’s vehicles, the 2004 S4’s performance compares roughly as follows:

• Versus modern hot hatches (e.g., Golf R, Civic Type R): Similar or slightly slower in straight-line speed, but with a very different, more refined and V8-rich character.
• Versus many current compact luxury sedans: Still competitive with mid-level trims, though top-tier modern performance variants often out-accelerate it.
• Versus high-performance EVs: Considerably slower by the numbers, but offers traditional mechanical engagement and sound that many enthusiasts value.

While its raw speed is no longer cutting-edge, the S4’s acceleration remains entirely relevant in everyday driving and will feel legitimately quick to most drivers, especially those coming from non-performance cars.

Age, Condition, and Maintenance Impact

Two decades on, the actual speed of any given 2004 S4 can be influenced heavily by its condition and maintenance history.

Key factors that may affect its performance today include:

• Engine health: Compression, timing chain system condition, and carbon buildup can all impact output.
• Transmission wear: Clutch condition (for manuals) and fluid/service history (for automatics) influence how crisply power is delivered.
• Drivetrain and suspension: Worn bushings, shocks, or differentials can dull responsiveness and grip.

A well-maintained, mechanically sound 2004 S4 should still deliver performance close to its original figures, retaining the “fast” character it had when new.

Ownership Considerations for a Fast, Older Performance Car

For anyone drawn to the 2004 S4’s speed and character, it’s important to weigh the appeal of its performance against the realities of ownership, especially given the complexity of its V8 and all-wheel-drive systems.

Performance vs. Running Costs

The 4.2 V8 and Quattro drivetrain bring both benefits and responsibilities. They contribute to speed, grip, and driving pleasure—but also to maintenance demands and costs.

From a performance-ownership perspective, prospective owners typically consider:

• Fuel consumption: The V8 is thirsty; spirited driving and city use can yield relatively low mpg.
• Maintenance: Timing chain system, valve gear, and cooling system need careful attention as the car ages.
• Brakes and tires: High-performance components wear more quickly, especially when the car is driven as intended.

These factors don’t make the S4 any less fast, but they are part of the broader picture for anyone attracted primarily by its performance credentials.

Summary

The 2004 Audi S4 is, by any reasonable standard, a fast car—especially for its time and still credibly so today. Its 4.2-liter V8, with around 340 hp and 302 lb-ft of torque, propels it from 0–60 mph in the mid-5-second range and on to an electronically limited top speed of about 155 mph. Quattro all-wheel drive ensures that this power is usable in a wide range of conditions, giving the car strong real-world pace and stability.

While newer performance sedans and EVs can out-accelerate it on paper, the 2004 S4 still delivers brisk, satisfying speed, backed by the character and sound of a naturally aspirated V8. For those who value that combination of performance, traction, and analog feel, it remains a legitimately fast and engaging choice—provided it has been maintained well enough to perform as it did when new.