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Audi RS4 Avant - Road Test
Road test: Audi RS4 Avant
Audi RS4 Avant
Price: £52,180
On sale: Now
0-60mph: 4.9 seconds; top speed 155mph
Average fuel: 20.7mpg
Standard equipment: Leather trim, quattro four-wheel drive, 19-inch alloys, power bucket front seats, Xenon headlights with headlight washer system, six-speed manual transmission, parking radar, climate control, single CD stereo.
Tiscali verdict: 8/10 Practical and more fun to drive than the new BMW M3.
The RS4 was the ultimate expression of Vorsprung durch Technic; this was until the R8 supercar came along earlier this year. The RS4 is Audi's BMW M3, rivalling the Saloon, Estate and Convertible model range. Powered by one of the greatest modern V8's in the business (shared with the R8 supercar), can the Avant Estate be as much fun to drive as the Saloon and Convertible versions. After a week at the wheel I have my answer.
Enjoy driving? Check Auto Express's Greatest Drives 2007
Pumped up looks aside, the RS4 is really all about that engine. Lurking underneath the aluminium bodywork is a 4.2-litre V8; with impressive performance figures. How about 414bhp, 317lb-ft of torque, a 0-62mph acceleration time of 4.9 seconds with a top speed of 155mph - and with an that revs to a phenomenal 8,250rpm redline. All this, and with the Avant bodywork, there's a practical boot too.
Not sure about the RS4? Check out our first drive report on the new BMW M3 here...
From the front, the RS4 is really aggressive, yet still follows the Audi family design. Worthy of particular mention are the xenon front lights with their circular reflectors - they're particularly bright and are more than a match for the performance of the RS4. Other design highlights from the front include the shark-like spoiler gills which are well-integrated into the bumper. At the back, things are more restrained, just the badging and wider track giving a clue to 400+bhp. With the swollen arches and attractive 19" alloy wheels, .the RS4 could never be mistaken for lesser A4 models The shape flatters most colours, but I thought that the metallic black finish of the test car suited its aggressive intent.
Inside the RS4 is equally special. There's the usual quality feel; I loved the flat-bottomed steering wheel and standard-fit Recaro sports seats which were comfortable and supportive, but they can make getting in and out a bit of an issue. The dashboard, like the standard A4, is attractive and easy to use. There's enough headroom and adjustment for the seats so that even the tallest drivers can get comfortable. Boot space is excellent - what other car can you think of that provides space enough for a months worth of shopping and still get to 60mph in a shade under five-seconds. Does it feel special enough to justify its £50,000+ price you might wonder? The answer is probably 'Yes', but be wary of expensive extras which soon add to the price.
The RS4 is very good at covering ground quickly. The 414bhp 4.2 litre V8 FSI provides a sonorous accompaniment for any drive, with a very responsive throttle and all four wheels controlled by the Quattro four-wheel drive sytem, there's no wheel spin and it guns its way to big speeds. The steering is direct, slack-free and makes the car very easy to place on the road. Press the sport button and things get even more interesting. This sharpens throttle response, deepens the exhaust note and squeezes the side bolsters of the seat to hold you in tighter! The RS4 is always incredibly involving to drive. Point-to-point pace on snaking B-roads is fearsome. Yet despite all this ability, the RS4 has effortless day to day manners. Could the RS4 be the perfect compromise?
Sadly, Audi's winding down production of RS4 models in preparation for the new A4, which is a shame. I think this is a better car than the new M3. To sum up then, if you're in the market for a quick and reasonably practical estate and can handle the fierce fuel consumption, the RS4 is an attractive package. We want one.
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