Estates aren't meant to be this quick

Audi RS 4 Avant business car test review

Car review: DAVID WILKINS

What is it?

The Audi RS 4 Avant is the extreme performance version of the Audi A4. It is offered only as an Avant estate, reflecting the roots of the RS brand in the 1994 Audi 100-based RS 2 Avant

Audi normally introduces RS models comparatively late in the base car’s life, but this pattern is starting to change. In a further departure from previous practice, the company also now offers RS versions of several of its cars at the same time

It revs to 8250rpm. What must it sound like?

In concept, the new RS 4 largely follows the old one in pairing a 4.2-litre petrol V8 with Audi’s quattro four-wheel drive system but substitutes a dual-clutch seven-speed S tronic (formerly DSG) transmission for the previous manual ‘box

There is a single well-equipped model at £54,925 OTR, but a large choice of options is also available.

Audi RS4 interior — Typical Audi quality inside. The seven-speed S-tronic gearbox is excellent, but won’t be to every enthusiast’s taste

What’s hot?

High revving normally-aspirated 4.2-litre V8 petrol engine offers truly exhilarating performance, delivering maximum power of 450PS at an incredible 8,250rpm – that’s enough to get to 62mph from rest in 4.7 seconds and on to a governed top speed of 155mph, which can optionally be increased to 174mph.
The V8 powers all four wheels via a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch and Audi’s trademark quattro all-wheel drive system
The quattro set-up and other driver-assistance systems such as launch control make the RS4 an extremely safe car despite its high levels of performance
Discreet body modifications mean the RS4 stands out a bit from the crowd without looking too vulgar
Indicators of quality such as panel gaps, cabin trim materials and fit, as well as paintwork, all reach Audi’s usual excellent standards
Optional £2,250 Sports Package includes a modified exhaust system that improves the – already deeply appealing – engine note
On-the-road price of £54,925 is high for a car of this size but a comparative bargain given the RS 4’s “supercar” engine and performance
The RS 4 embodies a formidable array of technologies such as weight-saving “wave outline” brake discs and Audi drive select, which allows the driver to modify parameters such accelerator characteristics, transmission shift points, differential settings and steering weight