When Did Audi Stop Supercharging the S4 and Why It Changed?

Audi’s S4 has been a fan-favorite sports sedan for years, offering a perfect blend of luxury, performance, and everyday usability. Over time, Audi made several changes to the S4’s engine, but one of the biggest shifts was when they moved away from a supercharged V6 to a turbocharged engine. This decision left many enthusiasts wondering why Audi abandoned supercharging and when exactly this change happened. In this article, we will explore the history of the Audi S4, when Audi stopped using a supercharged engine, and why they switched to turbocharging.

The History of Audi S4 and Supercharging

Audi introduced the S4 as a high-performance version of the A4, designed to compete with BMW’s M3 and Mercedes-AMG C-Class. Initially, Audi used naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines, but in 2009, they made a bold move by equipping the S4 with a supercharged 3.0L V6 engine.

This supercharged V6, known as the 3.0 TFSI, was a major improvement over the older 4.2L V8 found in previous S4 models. The new engine delivered:

333 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque,

Better fuel efficiency compared to the V8,

Instant throttle response due to the supercharger,

A strong mid-range powerband making it great for acceleration.

The supercharger provided consistent power across the RPM range, which made the car feel extremely responsive. Unlike turbochargers, which take time to build pressure (known as turbo lag), a supercharger delivers power instantly since it runs directly off the engine’s crankshaft.

Because of these benefits, the B8 and B8.5 Audi S4 models (2009-2016) became extremely popular among enthusiasts who loved the supercharged power and smooth delivery.

When Did Audi Stop Supercharging the S4?

Audi stopped using a supercharged engine in the 2017 Audi S4 (B9 generation). This was when Audi switched from the 3.0L supercharged V6 (3.0 TFSI) to a 3.0L turbocharged V6. The new engine was codenamed EA839 and featured a single twin-scroll turbocharger instead of a supercharger.

So, to put it simply:

2009-2016 (B8/B8.5 S4) → Supercharged 3.0L V6 (333 hp, 325 lb-ft)

2017-present (B9/B9.5 S4) → Turbocharged 3.0L V6 (354 hp, 369 lb-ft)

This shift marked the end of supercharging in Audi’s S4 lineup. From this point onward, all Audi S4 models relied on turbocharging.

Why Did Audi Stop Using a Supercharger?

Several factors influenced Audi’s decision to move away from supercharging and adopt a turbocharged engine. Let’s break down the key reasons behind this shift.

1. Improved Fuel Efficiency

Superchargers are great for instant power, but they also consume a lot of energy. Since a supercharger runs directly off the engine’s crankshaft, it constantly takes power to operate. This means that, while performance is smooth, fuel efficiency suffers.

Turbochargers, on the other hand, run on exhaust gases, meaning they do not take power directly from the engine. As a result, turbocharged engines are more fuel-efficient than supercharged ones. Audi needed to meet stricter emissions and fuel economy regulations, and turbocharging helped them achieve better mileage while still delivering strong performance.

2. Higher Torque Output

While Audi’s supercharged V6 was great in terms of response, the turbocharged version produced more power and torque. The new turbocharged 3.0L V6 (EA839) made 354 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, which was a noticeable improvement over the older 333 hp and 325 lb-ft supercharged engine.

Turbocharging allowed Audi to increase power without increasing engine size, making it a more efficient choice for performance vehicles.

3. Manufacturing and Cost Efficiency

Superchargers are mechanically complex and require additional components like pulleys, belts, and intercoolers. This makes them more expensive to produce and maintain compared to turbochargers.

With a turbocharged engine, Audi could reduce manufacturing costs while still maintaining high performance. This was a major reason why most automakers—including Audi—moved toward turbocharging in their performance models.

4. Turbocharging Offers More Tuning Potential

Another reason Audi made the switch was the tuning potential of turbocharged engines. Enthusiasts love modifying their cars, and turbocharged engines provide more opportunities for performance upgrades compared to supercharged ones.

With a simple ECU tune, an Audi S4 with a turbocharged V6 can gain significant power, whereas supercharged engines require more hardware modifications to achieve similar gains. This made the turbocharged version more appealing to both the general market and car enthusiasts.

Did the Turbocharged S4 Lose the Supercharged Feel?

One major concern when Audi made the switch was whether the turbocharged engine could match the instant response of the old supercharged V6. Superchargers provide linear power delivery without lag, whereas turbochargers often suffer from turbo lag—a slight delay before full power kicks in.

However, Audi’s new twin-scroll turbocharger helped reduce turbo lag significantly, making the turbocharged S4 feel almost as responsive as the supercharged version. Additionally, the increase in torque and efficiency made up for the loss of supercharging.

Final Thoughts

Audi stopped supercharging the S4 in 2017, replacing the supercharged 3.0L V6 with a more powerful and efficient turbocharged 3.0L V6. This move was driven by fuel efficiency, cost savings, and higher performance while keeping up with modern engine technology.

While some enthusiasts still love the instant throttle response of the supercharged B8 S4, the turbocharged B9 S4 offers more power, better fuel economy, and excellent tuning potential. Although the supercharger era ended, Audi’s S4 continues to be a powerful and refined sports sedan that balances luxury and performance.

For those who miss the supercharged sound and feel, older B8/B8.5 S4 models (2009-2016) remain great options in the used car market. But for those looking for the best mix of power and efficiency, the newer B9 S4 (2017-present) with a turbocharged engine is the way to go.