Similar horsepower (altho B5 S4 has more torque), similar weight, and the B7 gets some of the B6/B7 S4's suspension pieces. I'm thinking the V6 B7 will be pretty close to a B5 S4. Is my thinking screwed up?

interesting question i'm sure many of us have considered.

however, the manual 3.0Q B6 weighs exactly 199 lbs more than the manual B5 S4. the manual 3.2Q B7 will prob weigh even more because despite the increased use of aluminum it has beefed up brakes and running gear.

all this combined with the lower torque will keep it from performing as well as the old S4. this is reflected in the 0-60 which will reastically put it about 0.4 sec slower.

HOWEVER- the new engine is ages ahead of the old in terms of refinement, longevity, and high speed power (that means that once over 60 mph the stock B5 S4 will not be any faster).

Based on the performance of the new A6 3.2 vs. the C5 A6 2.7t tip, I would say that the two cars would be fairly close.

Keep in mind a few factors. The B7 A4 3.2 will be a bit heavier than the B5 S4. Enough weight to more than ofset the 5 hp advantage the A4 gets over the s4.

The 6 sp man tranny in the new A4, however, is said to be light years ahead in shifting effort and refinement over that of the B5 S4, so this may help the A4 regain some ground.

The Tq differences between the two engines is significant, as well as the way it is delivered. However, being N/A the new 3.1 ltr engine will have better throttle response and no turbo lag, like the B5 S4 engine does.

Overall I would think that 0-60 the b5 S4 is the winner. However, in passing situations, where one looks at 40-60 the two cars would be about the same.

The 3.2 A4 Quattro Manual should be a great performing midrange A4 model car. Something none of the other V6 model A4's could ever claim to be.

Jerry D

.4 seconds slower than the B5 S4. That should put in the 6 seconds flat range. Where do I sign?

It seems as though the B7 A4 (non S) V6 will out perform a 330i. As far as I can re-call this is the first time that any A4 will outperform its BMW competition (0-60,0-100,50-70,30,50), Rain and snow aside. I'll be in the market for a new car in about a year. My choices are narrowed down to the next gen 3-series or the B7 3.2.

The 3.2 in the A3 is a different engine that the 3.1 going into the new A4. Based on the specs of the Golf R32, the 3.2 A3 would also be a contender.

Jerry D

You can be sure that the A4 will do it in in low to mid 6s

could even be better than that