Audi loses V8 – but gets more speed

Audi is giving its S4 customers more – by offering them less.

The all-new Audi S4′s engine will switch from a high-revving V8 to a supercharged V6.

But don’t despair too soon – the new S4 might have two fewer cylinders, but its supercharged 3-litre V6 will pump out 328bhp next to the old S4′s 339bhp.

The new V6 unit also produces more pulling power than the old V8 S4, with 324lb/ft.

And thanks to a new lightweight body, the supercharged V6 Audi S4 sprints from 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds – compare this to the old S4′s 0-62mph time of 5.9 seconds, and you see that less really is more.

And in light of rising petrol prices, the new S4 is 26 per cent more fuel efficient than the old V8.

So what you make of the new S4? Is there really ‘no replacement for cubic displacement’, or is the future a small, lightweight supercharged engine?