How did an old Audi S4 become the world’s fastest sedan?
Picture this: a 32-year-old Audi S4, born from the bones of the humble Audi 100, outpacing even the wildest modern super sedans. Not a typo. This unassuming four-door, originally designed for brisk German commutes, once blitzed the Bonneville Salt Flats at a staggering 261 mph. That’s not just fast—it’s world-record fast for a sedan.
The story starts with Jeff Gerner, owner of Four Ring Performance in Missouri and a man whose idea of “tuning” goes far beyond a chip and an exhaust. He took the early-90s S4—already a bit of a sleeper with its turbocharged 2.2-liter five-cylinder—and turned it into a land-speed legend. The original car made a respectable 227 horsepower, enough for a factory-claimed 150 mph. But Gerner’s vision? Something altogether more unhinged.
What makes this Audi S4 so insanely powerful?
Let’s talk numbers. Under the hood, the five-cylinder engine has been rebuilt with billet internals and crowned with a Borg Warner S400SX turbocharger that’s about the size of a cantaloupe. The result? 1,155 horsepower and 706 lb-ft of torque—at the wheels. That’s more than a Bugatti Chiron, and it’s all routed through a manual transmission and Audi’s legendary quattro all-wheel drive.
But it’s not just about brute force. To survive the violence of triple-digit speeds, the car wears composite fire- and shatter-proof windows, a six-point roll cage, and a full fire suppression system. There’s even a parachute out back, just in case you need to stop in a hurry. These aren’t just for show; they’re the difference between a record run and a disaster at Bonneville, where the salt is unforgiving and the margin for error is razor-thin.
How did it perform at Bonneville, and what records did it set?
In 2012, with Gerner at the wheel, this S4 made history at the Bonneville Speed Week. It clocked a peak speed of 261 mph and averaged 238 mph over the measured mile, cementing its place as the world’s fastest sedan at the time. For context, the current crop of super sedans—think BMW M5 CS or Mercedes-AMG E63 S—top out around 190 mph, and even Audi’s own R8 supercar can’t touch this number.
Bonneville isn’t just about raw speed; it’s about consistency and control. The salt flats are notorious for their slippery surface and unpredictable conditions. Achieving these speeds in a car that started life as a family sedan is a testament to both engineering prowess and a healthy dose of courage.
Could this record-breaking Audi actually be driven on the street?
Here’s where things get a little wild. Despite its race-ready modifications, the seller claims it could be made road-legal in some states with only minor tweaks. Imagine rolling up to your local cars-and-coffee in a 1,100-horsepower, parachute-equipped Audi that holds a world record. Sure, you’d need to be a bit brave—and maybe a little bit crazy—but it’s technically possible.
Of course, daily driving a Bonneville car isn’t exactly plug-and-play. The suspension, safety gear, and engine tuning are all optimized for straight-line speed, not pothole-ridden city streets. But with some adjustments, this S4 could become the ultimate conversation starter, and possibly the only sedan in your neighborhood with a legitimate claim to 260+ mph.
What’s the real-world appeal of owning a car like this?
Owning this Audi isn’t about practicality. It’s about owning a piece of automotive history—a machine that rewrote the rules for what a sedan could do. For collectors, it’s a unicorn: a car that combines the nostalgia of early-90s Audi engineering with the sheer lunacy of modern performance tuning.
There’s also the community aspect. Land-speed racing is a tight-knit world, full of passionate builders and fearless drivers. Bringing this S4 to a show or a track day isn’t just about showing off; it’s about sharing a story that few others can match. And if you’re the competitive type, there’s always the temptation to return to Bonneville and chase down your own records.
How does this S4 compare to today’s fastest sedans?
Let’s put things in perspective. The current benchmark for fast four-doors is set by cars like the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye (203 mph), the BMW M5 CS (190 mph), and the Porsche Panamera Turbo S (196 mph). These are all marvels of modern engineering, loaded with tech and creature comforts. But none of them come close to the 261 mph achieved by this 1993 Audi S4.
Even the world’s most expensive hypercars—think Koenigsegg or Bugatti—rarely break the 300 mph barrier, and those are purpose-built, two-seat missiles. That an old Audi sedan, with a five-cylinder engine and a manual gearbox, could even be in the same conversation is nothing short of astonishing.
What should potential buyers consider before bidding?
If you’re tempted to throw your hat in the ring, keep a few things in mind. First, this isn’t a car for the faint of heart. Maintenance will be specialized, and you’ll want a good relationship with a performance shop (or at least a very patient mechanic). Insurance could be a challenge, and you’ll need to check your local laws before trying to register it for the street.
But if you’re looking for a car that’s truly one-of-a-kind—a machine with a story, a record, and a personality all its own—this S4 is hard to beat. It’s a rare chance to own not just a fast car, but a piece of motorsport folklore.
The big takeaway? Chasing records isn’t about perfection—it’s about smarter adjustments, relentless passion, and a willingness to push boundaries. Start with one bold move this week, and you might just find yourself rewriting your own story by month’s end.