An exciting estate
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STICK the RS badge on an Audi and you know you’re going to get a firebreathing, four-wheel drive tour de force. The fourth generation of the high-performance RS 4 Avant is now fitted with a 2.9-litre twin turbo V6 petrol in place of the 4.3-litre V8 previously residing under the bonnet.
But this does not mean any reduction in performance from the excellent estate as more than half a second has been knocked off the 0-62mph time to a white-hot 4.1 seconds, while the top speed with electronic chains removed is 174mph.
These figures are achieved with the help of an automatic eightspeed tiptronic gearbox which can also be manually operated via steering wheel paddles.
The mid-range acceleration is equally exhilarating, especially when it comes to overtaking on country lanes or dual carriageways, with the iconic quattro all-wheeldrive system, super sharp steering and uprated suspension ensuring the balance of a ballerina and the handling characteristics of a jet fighter.
The most potent RS 4 Audi has ever made weighs in 80kg lighter than the previous model which, combined with a 40 per cent increase in torque, means it takes only the merest increase in pressure from your right foot to produce a Formula One response and growl as it shoots forward when the opportunity presents itself on our congested roads. And here perhaps is the shame of it – you rarely get the chance to drive this beauty as it should be driven.
Yes it is a pussycat around town, performing the more mundane motoring chores of the urban jungle with aplomb, but you know a tiger lurks beneath the calm exterior waiting to be unleashed.
However, unless you are travelling in the early hours of the morning when all normal traffic jams are tucked up in bed or, if you really want to let the beast run free, are on a track, then for 95 per cent of the time this isn’t possible.
Fuel economy figures do bring a smile back to your face though as an official return of 32.1mpg and emissions of 199g/km are excellent for a motor boasting this sort of performance. And the £70,000-plus price-tag does buy plenty of attention from just about everyone you meet, everywhere you go.
I do have one smallish bone to pick though. Pay this amount for a car and you would expect it to come with every mod con known to the motoring world.
But this is Audi, so if you want the head up display I benefited from that’s another £900, while those desiring the delights of the driver assistance pack, comfort and sound pack, folding door mirrors with auto-dimming and memory function, as well as the electrically adjustable front seats with memory function for driver’s side and last but not least Audi’s Phone Box with wireless charging, will pay an extra £3,195.
That said, the special Carbon Edition I spent a delightful week with comes with most of the essentials required for showing off to your pals, including natty milled alloys with rims cut out of a single block of aluminium which shaves 8kg off the car’s total weight, as well as extra carbon-finish body kit – all for a shade over £72,000.
The exterior is sleek with its road-hugging profile, mesh grille, RS badging and twin oval exhaust pipes leaving no doubt as to its sporting pedigree.
The interior is super comfortable with figure-hugging seats and efficient climate control while the boot is a roomy 505 litres with the rear seats up – 1,510 litres when they are folded down.
Practicality obviously isn’t the first concern of anyone buying the RS 4 – but the estate offers it anyway.
The driver benefits from an RS-themed instrument panel on the virtual cockpit multi-mode display and a multi-function steering wheel.
The latest RS 4 is a superb package that embraces the model’s pedigree and takes it to new heights.
TEST DRIVE MAKE OF CAR AUDI RS 4 AVANT CARBON EDITION 2.9 TFSI QUATTRO