Any new car powered by a combustion engine that Audi will launch in the next three years will be the last of its kind as the German luxury brand intends to only introduce EVs from 2026. As evidenced in this spy shot from northern Europe, the S4 will be getting an ICE Final, complete with quad tips to emulate other S-badged performance cars. It appears to have a full production body and final headlights, but those basic taillights are a temporary arrangement.
It’s unclear whether the prototype will have a diesel engine given that the European version of the current S4 (and the larger S6) uses a TDI powertrain. The 3.0-liter V6 diesel was offered in both sedan and wagon body styles and was equipped with some hideous fake exhaust tips. In the United States and other markets, Audi sells vehicles with V6 petrol.
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The diesel-fueled S4 already has a mild hybrid system, so logic dictates that its successor will also have some form of electrification. Here it’s hoped that it won’t skimp to the four-cylinder engine as was the case with the Mercedes-AMG C43. Speaking of engines, there have been some rumors of Audi offloading the next-generation A4 to the MQB platform and cross-mounting the engine to save around $1 billion, but that’s not going to happen.
Surprisingly, the A4 and S4 prototypes have so far been caught being tested exclusively in more practical wagon guise. Audi hasn’t said anything about discontinuing the sedan, but keep in mind that the next Volkswagen Passat will be an estate-only model. Sedans have fallen out of favor, though we still have a hard time believing there won’t be an A4 Sedan. On the other hand, it makes sense that the Ingolstadt-based brand also owns the A5 Sportback.
The wrapper will be revealed later this year, and logic dictates that Audi will initially unveil the regular A4. The S4 and RS4 are expected to arrive later in 2024, with the latter being confirmed to adopt a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The RS model with a four-cylinder engine has been officially ruled out, so the super wagon will have to stay with a V6 engine.
