Audi chops S4 and S5 prices

AUDI Australia has slashed the price of its hotted-up S4 and S5 models by as much as $17,000 in response to the sales success of the more affordable SQ5 sports SUV launched this time last year.

The new pricing structure sees the S5 cabriolet drop $17,000 to $129,000 plus on-road costs, and its S5 coupe and Sportback five-door sibling fall $16,400 to $119,000. In addition, the S4 sedan and Avant wagon each drop $14,900 to $105,000 and $108,500 respectively.

This revised pricing brings Audi’s second-tier hot petrol models – they sit below the RS range in the performance pantheon – closer to the rampaging twin-turbo-diesel SQ5, which is selling its proverbial socks off thanks to razor-sharp pricing of $89,400.

Audi’s price cuts will help the Ingolstadt marque’s local arm continue the monumental sales growth it has enjoyed with its S, RS and R8 models over the past 18 months. Its sports line grew 172 per cent in 2013, and is up a staggering 400 per cent again in 2014.

Last year, Audi grew its hot range with the addition of the SQ5, RS5 cabriolet, RS6 Avant and S3 hatch. This year, the S8, RS7, S3 sedan and RSQ3 have either joined the line-up, or will join soon.

Despite of the former high (by comparison) pricing, sales of the S4 and S5 models are up 475 per cent this year.

Dealers have been aware of the price cut since January, and have been able to pass them on to customers before today's official announcement, Audi says. This largely accounts for the five-fold sales growth.

While the SQ5 packs a potent 230kW/650Nm twin-turbo 3.0-litre diesel V6, the S4 and S5 range are powered by a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrol engine with 245kW and 440Nm, the latter between 2200 and 5900rpm.

All come with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission sending power to all four wheels via Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system.

Speaking of the price cuts, Audi Australia managing director Andrew Doyle intimated the sharp SQ5 pricing had forced the company’s hand, with the gap between the hot SUV and the less practical S4 and S5 too stark.

“The recent success of the SQ5 TDI has led us to re-align pricing of our TFSI petrol-powered passenger car models to bring them closer to the outstanding offer of the SQ5 TDI,” he said.

“Customers wanting a mid-sized performance vehicle from Audi now have a greater choice, at more attainable pricing.

“Given the increase in customer interest in these models, spurred on by the sensational new SQ5 TDI, we are delighted to be able to respond with increased value for these highly desirable performance models from our passenger car range.”Audi S4 and S5 pricing:*

S4 Sedan 3.0 TFSI quattro (a) $105,000 (-$14,900)
S4 Avant 3.0 TFSI quattro (a) $108,500 (-$14,900)
S5 Coupe 3.0 TFSI quattro (a) $119,000 (-$16,400)
S5 Sportback 3.0 TFSI quattro (a) $119,000 (-$16,400)
S5 Cabriolet 3.0 TFSI quattro (a) $129,000 (-$17,000)

*Plus on-road costs