No—the 2011 Audi S4 is not supercharged. It uses a naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8, so there is no forced-induction setup on that model year. Audi’s S4 lineup would later shift to a supercharged V6 in a subsequent generation, but the 2011 car itself is NA.
What powered the 2011 S4
The following key specifications describe the 2011 S4’s engine and drivetrain. The list focuses on what buyers in that year-model received in most markets, particularly the U.S. specification.
- Engine: 4.2-liter FSI V8 (naturally aspirated)
- Power: 333 horsepower
- Torque: 325 lb-ft
- Drivetrain: Quattro all-wheel drive
- Transmissions: 6-speed manual or 6-speed Tiptronic automatic
In short, the 2011 S4 delivered strong V8 performance without any turbocharging or supercharging, aligning with Audi’s traditional NA V8 S4 formula for that generation.
Supercharged S4: when and how it appeared
To understand how a supercharged S4 fits into Audi’s history, it helps to know when the forced-induction version appeared and what it offered. The following overview summarizes the S4’s move from a V8 NA setup to a supercharged V6, and how that differed from the 2011 model.
- Engine introduced: 3.0-liter TFSI V6, supercharged
- Power: about 333 horsepower
- Torque: about 325 lb-ft
- Period: Available in the S4 during the B8.5 era (roughly 2013–2016 in many markets)
- Drivetrain: Quattro all-wheel drive
- Transmissions: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic (no manual option for the S4 in this generation)
Context: Audi retained the “S4” performance badge but moved from the 4.2L naturally aspirated V8 to a supercharged 3.0L V6 in the updated B8.5 S4. This change emphasized efficiency and a broader torque curve while maintaining strong performance. The current S4 generation, launched later, uses a turbocharged 3.0L V6 rather than a supercharged engine.
How this impacts buyers and collectors
For collectors and new buyers, the 2011 S4 represents the end of the NA V8 era for the S4. If a supercharged S4 is a goal, shoppers should look at the B8.5-era models (2013–2016) or compare with the broader Audi lineup where turbocharged V6 options are now standard. Modern S4 models (the B9 generation) use a turbocharged 3.0L V6 rather than a supercharged setup.
In the broader context, Audi’s move away from a supercharged S4 in favor of turbocharging mirrors the industry shift toward efficiency without sacrificing momentum. For enthusiasts chasing the classic NA V8 sound, the 2011 S4 remains a notable, non-supercharged example within the generation.
Current state of the S4 lineup
Today, Audi’s S4 lineup relies on a turbocharged engine rather than a supercharged one. The B9-generation S4 uses a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6, delivering strong performance with modern efficiency and electronics. This contrasts with the 2011 model’s NA V8 and with the later B8.5 S4’s supercharged V6 approach.
Summary
The 2011 Audi S4 is not supercharged, featuring a naturally aspirated 4.2L V8 with 333 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. A supercharged S4 appeared later in the B8.5 generation (around 2013–2016) with a 3.0L V6 supercharged powertrain. In the current lineup, Audi uses turbocharged 3.0L V6 engines rather than supercharged setups. For buyers, this means a 2011 S4 offers NA V8 character, while later S4 models moved to forced induction in a different configuration.