It looks like Audi's got a V6 planned for the next generation of the S4. Yes, if Car und Driver's sources are correct, the 2010 Audi S4 will get an all-new forced-induction 3.0-liter V6 — potentially wearing the designation of 3.0T — under the hood. The big buff book believes this new supercharged V6 will generate somewhere close to the 340 horses found in the soon-to-be-late S4's 4.2-liter V8. If the strategy works, the manny-tranny S4's fuel economy would see a boost of 20%. What's that you say? You don't want a V6?
Well, if you simply must have the extra two cylinders, you can wait for the 2010 Audi RS4 which apparently is being designed to "better stand out" with distinct sheetmetal, bulging fenders and of course the bigger, longer and more uncut engine. What that also means is you shouldn't expect the new S4 to use different sheetmetal from it's lower-powered brother. Nope, instead expect differentiation between the new A4 and the new S4 to occur with "distinct cladding." Ah, yes, cladding works every time — they'll never know the difference. We're assuming we'll have full details on the new Audi S4 when it's expected to be revealed later in the year after the Paris Motor Show. Perhaps we'll even see the reveal first-hand at the LA Auto Show a month or so later. [via Car & Driver]