Automakers in the U.S. are just starting to truly embrace turbocharging, but Audi is going against that grain by choosing to supercharge its new 3.0L V6. We already told you some details about the new powerplant, and now we're hearing new specs from Autocar. The British website is reporting that the 3.0L V6 due to power the next S4 will be force-fed by an Eaton Supercharger to produce a power-output of 286 horsepower at 4,800 rpm and 310 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm. We'd heard earlier that the output of the supercharged 3.0L would be closer to 350 hp in the S4 and detuned to 290 hp for the mid-range A6, so this new report from Autocar has us a bit confused. We're assuming that the British outlet is just referring to the less powerful version of the engine that will power the A6 and doesn't yet know exact power figures for the S4 version. At least we're hoping so, since a less powerful S4 is no fun for anyone. [Source: Autocar]
BREAKING: More Porsche Panamera pics surface![BREAKING: Automaker bailout agreement reached in Senate, still not a sure thing [UPDATE]](http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/billpass_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
BREAKING: Automaker bailout agreement reached in Senate, still not a sure thing [UPDATE]![LA 2008: 2010 Mazda3 shows its smiling face [w/VIDEO]](http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/01_mazda3_live_la_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
LA 2008: 2010 Mazda3 shows its smiling face [w/VIDEO]
LA 2008: Honda surprises with FC Sport fuel cell sports car concept
LA 2008: Redesigned 2010 Ford Fusion
Formula for Peace: Israeli and Palestinian drivers get on track
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
Knight Rider: The Liveblog -- Season 1, Episode 8
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 HUMMER H3T Alpha
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Garythepowers @ May 12th 2008 8:41AM
Its great to see Audi come out with an engine to compete with the BMW's 3.0liter twin-turbocharged engine.
Now how about letting VW drop that baby into the R32. It could use a little power "boost".
http://www.caroftheday.org
Mirko Reinhardt @ May 12th 2008 9:51AM
How would it fit in the R32? Not at all.
Jon @ May 12th 2008 8:43AM
Only 286bhp?
nothing special considering honda get 240 out of the 2.0L in the S2000 with using any turbo or supercharger.
Alex @ May 12th 2008 9:10AM
the s2000 has crap for torque (162 ft./lbs.)
there is more to power than hp
c @ May 12th 2008 9:17AM
yes but that 240hp has to be squeezed out of that little 2.0L at insane rpms. not everybody wants to drive in the 6000rpm+ range constantly. and as alex says, torque (which the s2000's engine is lacking, since it's so small) is what's really fun.
Brian @ May 12th 2008 9:32AM
Are you serious? You're really trying to compare a 2.0L, torqueless, 9000 RPM screamer to a 3.0L, supercharged engine making 310lb-ft of torque @ 2500 RPM?
What, pray tell, is the purpose of your illuminating comparison?
Brian @ May 12th 2008 9:41AM
Are you serious? You're really trying to compare a 2.0L, torqueless, 9000 RPM screamer to a 3.0L, supercharged engine making 310lb-ft of torque @ 2500 RPM?
What, pray tell, is the purpose of your illuminating comparison?
yacoub @ May 12th 2008 8:51AM
What a waste. Wish they'd stuck with turbos. Generally much more fuel efficient and certainly more tune-able. Oh well, another year of underpowered S4. Last good one was the B5 generation... before they decided to basically raise the price another $20k (for the RS4) and make the S4 a completely pointless and over-priced upgrade of the A4.
Garythepowers @ May 12th 2008 9:07AM
I can see your point, but Audi is notorious for releasing detuned engines with great potential and then for the next few years they just increase hp and increase the hp.
In the mean time companies like GIAC and APR are getting the true potential from the Audi power plants.
It gives the Audi enthusiast owner the chance to get their hands on a real sleeper.
Remember the Ford Lightning and the 2004 Cobra?
Those were supercharged engines that were only a smaller pulley away from another 100hp.
Im interested in seeing how these new Audi engines tune out.
http://www.caroftheday.org
brittainisknee @ May 12th 2008 9:13AM
haha sorry pal but turbos KILL your gas mileage. read up on some facts n00b! my twin turbo v8 pt cruiser gets 9mpg! it really sucks, so i use the mercedes s500 as a daily driver, at least it gets 12.
BigMcLargeHuge @ May 12th 2008 9:27AM
Yeah, but supercharging kills your gas mileage more than turbocharging does.
this engine does not do it for me compared to the 2.7 TT. Or even the 4.2 for that matter.
416Hammy @ May 12th 2008 11:09AM
@brittainisknee
You're dumb enough to buy a PT Cruiser, yet smart enough to post comments on a Web site?
What a perplexing contradiction...
FSM @ May 12th 2008 9:02AM
S4 is such an overrated and overpriced car. Compare it to the 335i and you're left wondering why you should part with the extra $10k in cash.
Seoultrain @ May 12th 2008 2:03PM
Only on paper. Drive both, and you'll see that the 335i is a regular car with a great engine, and the S4 is an amazing machine.
c @ May 12th 2008 9:17AM
dude, you seriously can't be calling people dumbasses when you 1) can't get your facts straight and 2) have the writing and spelling skills of a middle schooler
Alex @ May 12th 2008 9:20AM
brittainisknee, i see this is your first time posting here, welcome! I hope your future posts will more thought out and i trust you will try to refrain from the personal insults. umm... just to put the facts straight.
S2000 puts out 120hp PER LITRE. Its a 2 litre engine, meaning 240hp in total.
The S2000 is very much street legal. You may be thinking about the S2000 Club Racer, but that too is street legal.
Audi is made by Germans, the S2000 is built in the US.
Will @ May 12th 2008 12:19PM
No, not his first time. He posted under the name Britinknee previously buy was likely banned, most of his previous posts were deleted for being abusive. I am not sure why people find enjoyment from taking time to troll.
Alex @ May 12th 2008 9:25AM
I understand that turbos have more tuning potential and give greater fuel economy, but when push comes to shove i'm more interested in supercharged cars.
a supercharged engine can be tuned, granted not to the extreeme degree like a turbo, and it'll cost more but you never have to deal with issues like all the excess plumbing and turbo lag.
im excited to see what audi can do with a supercharged v6.
FSM @ May 12th 2008 9:26AM
the guy is obviously trolling...just ignore him
Ian @ May 12th 2008 9:51AM
Well we should recall that the 2.7 turbo engine hgave around 250 hp and nice performance a few years ago so 286 hp should shift whatever car it's in. Yes it isn't stella HP but I bet it produces massive low down torque. Sounds like this spec is for a sporty A6 and A4 while an S4 would receive over 300 HP though. I like the trend back to better gas mileage and less weight at the front.