Offical Audi S4 (B8) Thread

[Centurion]

Originally Posted by warot

Why wouldn't it be my friend? Look, maybe your expectations are just a TAD too high. Those CEOs are: probably engineers and German. We are neither of those. Not to mention there's a 99 percent chance they have a doctorate degree (most likely in business actually!)

But a business degree is more than enough to get you into R&D. You just work your way up. In my case, I'm in quality assurance and I'm using maybe 10% of the engineering stuff I learned in college. I was more interested in QA just because it's very very hands on. You work directly with these cars... I get to drive X5's and X6's almost on a daily basis, couldn't be any happier.

I can see a million ways to reach your goal:
1. Start at the "bottom". You could be the one actually testing the car as a test driver? There are TONS of people that were in my dept with a business degree. Hell some didn't even finish college! They worked in the assembly line for years and moved... they know more than I do most the time

2. It might be possible to start in another dept that's more business related... then gradually work towards an engineering dept like mine. It's not like it's a prerequisite for you to be an engineer to be a manager of my section I don't think. Just gotta prove yourself

These are just a few examples. The only hard part is to get yourself noticed in the first place. I made it because I was an ME plus I had internships with BMW before. Don't let your degree limit you on what you really want to do in real life!

PM me if you have anymore questions.

Thanks for the words!

[martinbo]

Right, after the quick motivational digression, back on to the S4 and its supercharged V6.

Originally Posted by ACE

If you read their marketing spiel carefully you will see that they only refer to the superiority of mechanical charging in the case of this V6. Also note how they mention the word "packaging". The plumbing and space required for twin scroll turbos on a V configuration block that already sits as far back as they can push it (given the quattro transmission) probably makes their marketing hype (at least partially) true! ... but that doesn't say what would be best for a |6 or any of their other engines.

Thanks for pointing that out ACE, I hadn't read the blurb in that much detail.

There's no denying the elegance of the packaging in this new V6 (or in that sublimely fantastic V8 in the ZR-1 - supercharged LS9 is it?) and I suppose that there may be some space-saving advantages over turbocharging but I'm grappling with how the placement of the V6 a little further back precludes the use of turbocharging and associated plumbing.

No doubt, the supercharged layout we see here is more compact, but turbo's don't really take up that much space. And BMW have an entire inline six mounted even further back in the engine bay with two turbos flanking the right side of the engine. And, let's face it, this new V6 isn't mounted that far behind in the engine bay - it's still ahead of the front axle, only the aftward placement of the clutch behind the front diff allowing for closer placement of the engine to the front wheels.

Of course, had Audi's engineers swapped the inlet and exhaust side of the cylinder heads around like BMW did with the new twin-turbo V8 then they may have achieved similar packaging efficiences as they did with the supercharged V6.

Admittedly, I have to say that I am a fan of turbocharging. My last four cars have been turbocharged and I am equally fond of turbos in fast Audis. At the same time my limited experience with supercharging has left less of an impression. But, I am impressed with this new engine and - despite my earlier criticism of the strategy in this very forum - I am most intrigued to experience what the drive of this new S4 is going to be like.

If the fuel economy claims are credible then kudos to Audi for bringing performance motoring along with remarkable fuel consumption.

Edit: It is a very sexy looking engine bay though!

[Merc1]

M

[Centurion]

Looking very neat and well refined. Now give us the price.

[DaSilva]

Looks like the A4 S-line to me with über booring rims.
This is a step back IMO.

Where's that A5 Cab again ?!

[PanterroR]

Looks dull and boring.

[shonguiz]

Originally Posted by Tycoon

Looks dull and boring.

I didn't even notice it was an S4, i was wondering why Merc1 posted photos of an old car.

[bmer]

It's OK. Now give us the RS4.

[YoUhimhER]

i think it looks mighty fine, just what the s4 needs to look like, for those who can appreciate subtlety.

[Centurion]

Originally Posted by DaSilva

Looks like the A4 S-line to me with über booring rims.
This is a step back IMO.

Where's that A5 Cab again ?!

That's the carnage of giving the stanrad A4 an aggressive bumper. Because of that the S4 doesn't look very dramatic and might for some not be worth the extra cash over the already expensive 3.2 quattro. Especially since a 3.2 quattro with S-line doesn't look different from the S4, especially if you manage to get your hands on chromed mirrors.