km : Daily Driver

We have few complaints about our 2010 Audi S4 and fewer still about the car’s speed and likely under-reported power reserves. Given the cottage industry that grew up in the cloud of tire smoke of the last forced induction S4 it seems only a matter of time before ECU tuning firms begin lining up with offerings that wring more power from the engine; but even in stock form it is a pure joy. Curious about aftermarket plans for the car, we made a couple inquiries with some popular aftermarket companies, who also helped us learn more about our car’s power and handling.

The manufacturer claims output for the 2010 S4’s supercharged 3.0-liter is 333 hp, but we suspect it to be higher. We’re not alone in this assumption. Respected Audi tuner APR shared that the car seems to be pulling significantly harder than that on its in-house dyno. And during a visit last week, Northern California’s 034 Motorsport indicated its initial dyno session saw a car pulling its crankshaft-rated power number at the wheels. With drivetrain losses factored in, this would suggest Audi has considerably under-reported the actual power figures of the S4. We’ve seen dyno graphs of stock RS 4s, cars that were rated at 420 hp, making 333 hp at the wheels.

Though we chose the optional Sport Differential as a must-check on the options list in ordering our S4, even cars without that option have been impressing enthusiasts around the country. On a recent visit to APR‘s Alabama development facility, the guys had both a new S4 and a previous-generation B7 RS 4 in the house for testing. The engineers pointed out the new car was as fast as the RS 4 and that the S4 they’d torn down to build their Rolex Continental Tires Cup racer came equipped without the sport diff and even that car in stock form was considerably better than the B7 and its older, more nose-heavy architecture.


Frankly, we only have one real complaint about the engine and it has nothing to do with the hardware physically. It’s the name. Audi has chosen to call the thing a “3.0T” even though this new mill is supercharged, not turbocharged. We’ve decided to boycott that moniker, swapping out the inlcuded badges for “Supercharged” emblems from the A6 model with the same engine.

The Supercharged emblem boasts a carbon fiber inlay in that Audi Sport swoosh, though we hear a red version is also coming. The badges are offered as part of a new dealer-installed Aluminum Optic Kit from Audi’s accessories group that pairs them with satin silver rocker panel blades and templates for easy install of the badge. Initially we thought of installing the kit and ordered the full setup but chose to skip the blades given our car’s less-common Black Optics package.


Autohaus Lancaster, our local Audi dealership, performed the cosmetic surgery. The V6T badges were easily removed; our tech used 3M spray adhesive remover and a job-specific eraser-textured rubber buffing wheel to neatly remove any residue. DIYers might net a similar result with some floss and Goo Gone. Templates included with the Aluminum Optic Kit ensure the new emblems sit properly between the door and the fender, as well as the creased “tornado” line.

New parts in place, we like the optional carbon fiber inlays, which match up quite well with the blacked out grille and various other dark bits on the car. This modification is both minor and subtle, but until some performance parts become available, it satisfies our urge to personalize the car a bit. Like many 2010 S4 owners, we find ourselves eagerly awaiting the market to catch up with the car.

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