2018 Audi RS4 Avant
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Audi RS4 Avant
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Year:2018
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Engine:V6
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Horsepower @ RPM:450
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Torque @ RPM:443
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Displacement:2.9 L
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0-60 time:4.1 sec.
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Top Speed:155 mph (Est.)
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Price:100000 (Est.)
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The world’s greatest compact grocery getter?
Introduced in 1999, the Audi RS4 placed itself at the top of Audi’s compact car lineup. With a sportier, more aerodynamic exterior, exclusive features on the inside, and a more powerful engine, the RS4 quickly became a solid competitor for the BMW M3. However, unlike BMW, Audi also built a wagon version a created a brand-new niche for performance grocery getters. The RS4 Avant become such an important car in the Audi lineup, that the third-generation RS4 didn’t even get a sedan version. Come 2017 and a brand-new generation RS4 arrived, also introduced with an Avant variant only.
Essentially a beefed-up version of the latest A4 wagon, which already sports Audi’s new design language with more angular features, the RS4 Avant gained a brand-new engine that smaller, but more potent than the outgoing unit. The new performance wagon is also lighter than its predecessor, which had quite a few issues when compared to the awesome Mercedes-AMG C63 Estate. All told, Audi finally has a proper competitor for the souped-up Merc and we will find out what it brings to the table in the review below.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2018 Audi RS4 Avant.
Latest Audi RS4 news and reviews:
2021 Audi RS4-S Avant By ABT
ABT’s love for Audi continues, and this time, the result is a quicker and more powerful RS4 Avant. Called the RS4-S, the German wagon has been given some steroids and additional equipment by the Kempten-based aftermarket tuner.
Apart from the power boost, the RS4 also comes with an ABT exhaust system, carbon fiber elements, new wheels, and so on. Is this one of the best aftermarket RS4s we’ve seen in recent times?
2020 Audi RS4 Avant
At a time when wagons are slowly evolving from being family haulers to performance beasts, people in the U.S. are missing out on a lot of action. The Audi RS4 and the RS6 Avant give us the major #FOMO feels. Audi has told wagon-lovers in the U.S. not to give up hopes yet, as the company said, "We always look at potential new opportunities in the market. It’s a niche to explore. We keep holding discussions. Keep writing us letters.” That’s not a confirmation in any way, but it sounds like an assurance for the time being. Now, the company has finally unveiled the 2020 Audi RS4 Avant with aesthetic changes and a few changes inside the cabin. Is it better than the previous iteration?
Someone Has an Audi RS4-Powered Shed and It’s Faster Than Anyone Expected
The auto world is full of novelty vehicles and quirky creations, and as far as recent showings go, it doesn’t get as bizarre as this motor shed that’s sitting on top of a 1999 Volkswagen Passat and is powered by a 4.2-liter V-8 engine that was sourced from an Audi RS4.The absurdity of its appearance — it really looks like a shed — shouldn’t take away from what it’s capable of, though, and as we will bear witness in the following video, this shed can lay down the law in a drag strip. Just ask the third-generation Opel Astra that competed against the motor shed in a good ol’ fashion drag race. Without shooting the headline, you won’t be surprised by the results of that race.
Audi Sport Teases Six New RS Models - Here’s What They Are
While Audi surprised the motoring world with the introduction of the diesel-powered S models some time ago, its Audi Sport GmbH subsidiary shares the first info about the next generation of the RS models. We only have one official photo to go after, but it is enough to disclose what Audi Sport plans to do. The Germans will gift us with up to six fantastic RS models in the future including the likes of RS Q3, RS Q3 Sportback, RS7 Sportback, RS6 Avant, Audi RS Q8, and RS4 Avant facelift.
Maintaining the exclusivity and extreme approach to car design, Audi Sport GmbH will honor 25 years of RS history with six new, super-competent models. Never before have we witnessed such a comprehensive list of RSs in one place. While all of them will be available in Europe at basically the same time, Americans won’t be as lucky. Do not expect to see the RS Q3 Sportback here. Expect, however, to see the Audi RS6 Avant. Excitement ON about that one. It will be one of those bizarrely fast wagons. Something you just have to like.
What Happens When You Put An Audi RS4 Avant Against a Jaguar F-Pace?
Station wagons don’t see a lot of hype here in the United States now that SUVs seem to be on everybody’s list of must-haves. That doesn’t change the fact that these low-riding people haulers are popular in other parts of the world and can be, in fact, very performance-oriented. Take the Audi RS4, for example. It’s rather sporty for a wagon, and with a 2.9-liter V-6, it’s pretty fast too. In current specification, it comes with 444 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque on tap, and it can launch to 60 mph in four seconds flat. Now, you can compare it to other sporty wagons from Mercedes and BMW, but what about comparing it to a performance SUV? The Jaguar F-Pace has a 5.0-liter V-8 and delivers a cool 550 horsepower – enough to get this 2+ ton SUV up to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 176 mph if you’re ballsy enough to pull it off. The price of both these models are within around $5,000 of each other, so things are really closely matched.
That’s probably way CAR Magazine set out to see which one is actually faster in a straight line. Believe it or not, the results might surprise you. Go ahead and click play on the short video below to find out what happens!
Want a Performance Wagon Other than a AMG E 63 S or the Panamera Sport Turismo? Tell Audi You Want an RS Avant
The Audi RS Avant super wagons aren’t available in the U.S., but that doesn’t mean the status quo isn’t going to change. Audi is open to bringing its rip-roaring machines to the land of milk and honey; it just needs to make a good business case for it. In that vein, fans of the RS 4 and RS 6 Avants can do their part to convince Audi by “writing letters” to the German automaker. Tongue-in-cheek hints aside, these letters could go a long way in establishing a viable marketplace for both super wagons.
Audi May Bring RS Avant Models To The U.S. But It’s A Reach
Who doesn’t love a fast wagon? We’re certainly pretty big fans, and we can’t help but dribble a bit when considering the prospect of getting into something like Audi’s line of RS Avants. Now, it looks like the Four-Ring brand is actually considering bringing these quick-’n-practical machines stateside. Maybe. Hopefully? All told, the brand isn’t ruling it out - we’ll take it.
Continue reading for the full story.
Video of the Day: Watch the Audi RS4 Handle Snow Like Second Nature
You’re kidding yourself if you don’t think that the Audi RS4 Avant is capable of being an off-road marauder. It may look like a sensible people-mover on the surface, but there’s something sinister lurking under that hood, namely a 2.9-liter, biturbo, V-6 engine that produces a whopping 444 horsepower. Combine that with Audi’s fabled all-wheel-drive Quattro system, and as you can see, the RS4 Avant is more than capable of having a lot of fun in heavy snow.
The video you’re watching is presented by Auditography, and as you might surmise from its name, the channel features Audis that are out in the wild. In that spirit, there’s no better setting to showcase an Audi RS4 Avant than in the snowy Tatra Mountains in Poland. There’s no dialogue in the video, but that’s fine. The sight of seeing the RS4 Avant toy around in inches of snow makes for a good and entertaining watch of its abilities as a high-performance wagon.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter how many times we watch the video. Audi’s not bringing the RS4 Avant in the U.S. anytime soon. That said, there are plans to offer a similar model in the form of the RS5 Sportback sometime in the near future. That’s on top of a mysterious RS model that the German automaker remains tight-lipped on. So even if the RS4 Avant remains a pipe dream for RS-starved fans in the country, there’s hope that we’re going to get a full lineup of these high-performance Audis in the near future. Maybe then we’ll finally get to experience what RS-badged Audis are really like in the snow.
2018 Audi RS4 Sedan
First introduced in 2000, the RS4 has evolved into one of Audi’s most iconic nameplates, despite being available for short periods of time with each generation. First offered between 2000 and 2001, it returned for 2006-2008, and then again for 2012-2015. Each time as a station wagon, but Audi made an exception and offered a sedan between 2006 and 2008. Come 2018 and the Audi RS4 returns for the third time, again in the Avant body styles. But this time around word has it that Audi is also planning to revive the short-lived four-door sedan, which may also return to the United States. While the German firm is mum on the matter, I put together a speculative review with what it may bring to the table.
The fact that the RS4 sedan didn’t return after 2008 is a bit shocking if you ask me. Audi is super competitive in just about every niche and it’s even trying to create its own, but for some reason it doesn’t really want a piece of the action where BMW and Mercedes-Benz are making the big headlines. The decision to offer the RS4 as a wagon only seems strange to say the least with Audi’s latest competitor for the BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63 dates all the way back to 2008. But apparently Audi is finally coming to its senses and a new RS4 sedan might be just around the corner.
Updated 10/02/2017: We updated the speculative review with a new rendering and new information. Check it out below.
Continue reading to learn more about the upcoming Audi RS4 Sedan.
2018 Audi RS4 And RS5 Carbon Editions
In a day and age where “special edition” models can mean just about anything under the sun, Audi has found a nifty trick to kill two birds with one stone by offering special edition models for the Audi RS4 Avant and the Audi RS5 Coupe. Officially, both models are have been designated as Carbon Editions, a nod to the smattering of carbon bits they received that help make them lighter and a bit more fun to drive on the open road.
The lightweight blueprint is a tried-and-tested one, and many automakers have taken that approach to squeeze out every ounce of improved performance they can out of their cars without having to pump more power out of the engines. Audi’s approach with the RS4 and RS5 Carbon Editions is similar by the sheer number of carbon fiber reinforced polymer add-ons both models received. The goal of replacing the standard parts with CFRP counterparts is to make both cars lighter, which is exactly what Audi accomplished. The RS4, for example, is now 80 kilos (176 pounds) lighter than its standard counterpart whereas the RS5 slashes 60 kilos (132 pounds) from its original weight. Does the weight loss spell massive improvements in performance? Not quite. But don’t think that these are “standard” RS4s and RS5s either. If anything, these two new special editions should be lighter on their feet, and we know what that equates to in the end.
Continue after the jump to read more about the Audi RS4 Avant and RS5 Coupe Carbon Editions.
2018 Audi RS4 Avant
Introduced in 1999, the Audi RS4 placed itself at the top of Audi’s compact car lineup. With a sportier, more aerodynamic exterior, exclusive features on the inside, and a more powerful engine, the RS4 quickly became a solid competitor for the BMW M3. However, unlike BMW, Audi also built a wagon version a created a brand-new niche for performance grocery getters. The RS4 Avant become such an important car in the Audi lineup, that the third-generation RS4 didn’t even get a sedan version. Come 2017 and a brand-new generation RS4 arrived, also introduced with an Avant variant only.
Essentially a beefed-up version of the latest A4 wagon, which already sports Audi’s new design language with more angular features, the RS4 Avant gained a brand-new engine that smaller, but more potent than the outgoing unit. The new performance wagon is also lighter than its predecessor, which had quite a few issues when compared to the awesome Mercedes-AMG C63 Estate. All told, Audi finally has a proper competitor for the souped-up Merc and we will find out what it brings to the table in the review below.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2018 Audi RS4 Avant.
The New Audi RS4 Avant Is One Mean Grocery Getter
While sports cars provide a lot of fun, they come with a major downside: practicality is crap. But here’s where high-performance sedans come in. While four-doors weren’t very dynamic a few decades ago, they can be as agile as an entry-level sports car nowadays. And in addition to the power and speed, they can also provide seating for four or five people and decent trunk space. But hey, it gets even better with wagons, which can provide a lot more storage room, sometimes enough to go on a long vacation with the wife and the kiddos. Why am I talking about high-performance grocery getters, you ask? Well, the super awesome Audi RS4 Avant was just unveiled at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Let’s make one thing clear: I’m not a big fan of Audi cars. I know that most of them are powerful and a nice place to spend time in, but I think they look boring and that they’re too expensive. But at the same time I have a weakness for the Avant range, especially if it comes with an "RS" badge. So yeah, I’m really excited to see the new RS4 Avant hit auto show floors, despite losing its V-8 engine. Yes, you read that right, the V-8 was replaced by a smaller displacement V-6. But that doesn’t mean the new RS4 Avant is less powerful and aggressive.
Continue reading for the full story.
We’ve been slowly learning more about Audi’s next generation of forced-induction performance engines, and now it finally looks like we have something solid. If previous rumors were to be believed, the finalists to power the small-displacement R8 and next-generation 2017 Audi RS 4 Avant came down to a turbocharged five-cylinder or turbocharged V-6. Now it looks like the V-6 has won out and it will likely be bolstered by an electric turbocharger.
According to Auto Express, the new 3.0-liter engine will produce around 480 horsepower. The electric turbocharger will be the smaller of two turbos, and, because it’s not dependent upon exhaust flow like a conventional turbo, will provide instant boost at lower rpms until the larger conventional turbo spools up for high-rpm duty.
The electric turbocharger will be powered by an electric motor and battery pack, which will be continuously recharged by a regenerative braking system. It’s an expensive and complex system that Audi head of technical development Ulrich Hackenberg says will only be used in top-end models. It’s also why the next-generation S4 will get a less-expensive V-6 with conventional turbochargers.
Continue reading for the full story.
The Audi RS family is now short by two members, according to a report out of Germany. The claim is that the German automaker has temporarily discontinued the 2013 Audi RS4 Avant and the 2014 Audi RS5 Coupe and 2014 Audi RS5 Cabriolet.
What’s odd about this report is the timing. You see, the A4 and A5 are set for updates in 2016, and their respective RS versions will not arrive until 2017. This means that there will be a full two years before the new versions of these models roll out.
On the surface, there isn’t a very good reason for discontinuing these two with such a large gap between now and the production restart. Obviously, there is more to this than meets the eye, but I am drawing a blank as to what the other reasons could be.
For those of you who simply cannot wait until 2017, the S4 and S5 will get their refresh in 2016 as well. This way, you can get at least a taste of Audi performance without waiting too awfully long.
To make matters worse, if you were planning on running out and picking up one of these discontinued models now, you may be out of luck. According to the report, Audi has already stopped production and is not taking any more orders of these two RS models. So, you had better hope that dealers in your area have a little leftover stock.
I hope that we’ll have some updates on the next-generation RS4 and RS5 soon, but I don’t recommend holding your breath.
Continue reading for the full story.
The 2007 Audi RS4 is a great car and Willow Springs Raceway is one heck of a track, but both can get even experienced drivers into a heap of trouble fast. This lesson was learned by Tim Bucklin, who lost his RS4 during a recent track day event. Now, I’m definitely not here to poke fun at this guy’s misfortune. Not only do I respect him for facing the harsh criticism of YouTube commenters, but the best part about this video is the driver’s breakdown of what he did wrong – perhaps sparing others from the same fate.
It isn’t clear how fast Bucklin was going when he entered Turn 9, but after turning into the apex early, the car understeers and gets too wide on the exit resulting in both left side tires getting off the track. With the steering wheel still turned to the right, the car shoots back across the track sliding into what looks like soft, deep sand, which sheers off the left front wheel and sends the car into a barrel roll where the car flips over at least two times.
Now, I’ve driven on plenty of racetracks, but, unfortunately, Willow Springs is not among them, but that final turn does seem extremely challenging. Bucklin describes the right-hand corner as having a late apex and decreasing radius, and the amount of skid marks exiting the turn are proof of just how tricky the turn is.
Although the RS4 received heavy damage, the passenger compartment held up impressively well. In fact, Bucklin said that he escaped the wreck with only a bruised arm, stiff neck and mild concussion.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2007 Audi RS 4.
First introduced in 2000, the Audi RS4 Avant has been blazing trails in Europe for more than a decade. The third-gen RS4 Avant debuted in 2012, and for the 2014 model year, Audi Exclusive put together a nice one-off special edition.
Despite its current state, the RS4 Avant still has its fans, one of whom presumably placed an order for the hot wagon just to send it to Audi Exclusive for some personalized updates. The result is this thing of beauty: a sparkling one-off RS4 Avant dressed in a unique Peridot metallic exterior finish.
The fancy body color, which looks like a shiny shade of lime, isn’t the only upgrade given to this RS4. Personalized details are scattered throughout the the exterior and interior of the high-performance wagon.
Audi Exclusive’s overall work on this RS4 gets top grades from us. Now how about Audi pushing forward with the new RS4 Avant so Audi Exclusive can work on those bad-boys soon. Seems like a reasonable request, right?
Click past the jump to read more about this Audi Exclusive RS 4 Avant one-off edition.
It’s looking increasingly likely the next Audi RS 4 will be saying goodbye to the 4.2-liter, V-8 engine that has powered the high-performance variant of the A4 for the last two generations. In order to meet ever-tighter emissions standards, a V-6 with some sort of forced-induction will probably be finding its way under the hood.
This recent info comes courtesy of Motoring, who spoke with Heinz Hollerweger, Managing Director of quattro GmbH — the tuning arm charged with the development and construction of the R8 and Audi’s RS lineup. Hollerweger didn’t say definitively what would be powering the next RS 4, but did suggest Audi has some very powerful six-cylinder engines in the works. These engines could also make use of Audi’s latest electric turbocharger technology.
The engine downsize doesn’t come as a complete surprise. The latest S4 saw two cylinders lopped off its engine to make a V-6 — a change that was compensated with the addition of a supercharger. Similarly, the RS 6 went from a turbocharged V-10 to a turbocharged V-8. Also worth noting is that the first-generation B5 RS 4 was powered by a 2.7-liter, twin-turbo V-6.
Hollerweger went on to confirm the next R8 would be powered exclusively by a V-10 — the same one found in the Lamborghini Huracan, on which the next R8 (possibly called R10?) will be based. You might remember that the current R8 was introduced with the same V-8 found in the RS 4, so this new strategy should help put some clear air between the two models.
Click past the jump to read more about the next Audi RS4.
The U.S. auto industry have given us some of the most incredible automobiles over the last 100 hundred years. Starting with the Ford Model T, the first vehicle mass-produced on moving assembly lines, and ending with the aluminum-bodied, 2015 Ford F-150 pickup truck, America has made a name for itself as one of the world’s biggest automobile manufacturers. Before the Great Depression, the U.S. produced over 90 percent of the vehicles sold globally, and after World War II it was responsible for 75 percent of the world’s production. That’s no longer the case in 2014, when China manufactures nearly 20 million vehicle a year, more than both the U.S. and Japan.
Sure, these numbers don’t mean U.S. manufacturers have lost their touch. Just look at the new Mustang and Corvette Z06, and you’ll notice the brilliant engineering and the passion are still there. However, it’s common knowledge that global production works on different standards which restrict the availability of certain models in certain markets. It works both ways. Europe, for instance, can’t have many of the vehicles sold in the U.S., while Americans can’t buy cars made by a variety of European brands. Ironically, North American manufacturers have launched a bevy of nameplates that can’t be had in the U.S. And while most of them wouldn’t stir any interest on these shores, some vehicles have caused great frustration to the American enthusiast.
I’m going to talk about the latter. The cool cars we can’t buy and drive over various production or import issues, or even the manufacturer’s lack of interest in the U.S. market. Take a look at my choices below and tell me what you guys think. I narrowed the list down to 10 vehicles, so feel free to let me know which ones you think I should have included in the comments box.
Click past the jump to read more about the cool cars we can’t buy in the U.S.
It’s been a good 2014 for Audi. The company is on pace to sell 1.6 million cars this year, a record-breaking number that has come closer and closer to threatening BMW’s top sales numbers. But Audi isn’t just settling for the sales title. It also wants to continue to be on the cutting edge of innovation, something Audi boss Rupert Stadler brushed on when he announced plans to launch RS-badged high-performance diesel models in the future, possibly as soon as the end of the decade.
The company is optimistic that it already has the applications to transition the technology from concept form into production. Remember, the RS5 TDI concept showed that it was possible to slap an e-turbo-diesel engine into an Audi without compromising the car’s performance capabilities.
Stadler understands that the key in achieving that goal is to take a step-by-step process on piecing together the tools and technology needed to make it work on a production model.
You can count on Audi to always be at the forefront of innovation. The German automaker thrives on being in that position, and when you give it incentive to succeed, you can bet that it’s going to pull out all the stops to make it happen.
Click past the jump to read more about Audi’s future diesel plans.
Europe’s stringent emission laws have forced some shuffling deep within some of the continent’s biggest automakers, a lot of whom have had to make sacrifices on killing off their eight-cylinder engines in favor of settling for the six-cylinder variety. BMW and Mercedes are two such companies that have already taken to downgrading the powertrain for their performance vehicles and now, it appears that Audi is following suit.
Word from Car and Driver seems to indicate that the German company will be using turbocharged V-6 engines on its RS-branded lines, including the RS4. No longer will the company’s sports line hitting production V-8, instead the focus will now center on those turbo V-6s, smaller in displacement but no less powerful once you add those turbochargers into the mix.
That’s looking like Audi’s plan for the RS4, which really is as much a return to its previous form than it is a downgrade of sorts. After all, as recent as 2001, the RS4 Avant packed a 2.7-liter, twin-turbo V-6 under its hood, so it’s not like Quattro GmbH is venturing into unchartered territory when it comes to marrying the two sides together.
The important thing for the RS4 is to not cheapen its value relative to the new BMW M4 and the redesigned M3. It wouldn’t look too good for Audi if it cut power from its prized sports wagon, so you can still expect the vehicle to generate more than 400 horsepower.
Anything less would spell trouble for Audi given that its predecessor already had 450 ponies and other manufacturers have seemingly integrated those turbocharged V-6s into producing stout levels of output.
Only time will tell what Audi has in store for the RS4, but if those twin-turbo V-6s carry their weight, nobody’s going to be crying a river over the loss of those V-8s.
Note: Current Audi RS4 Avant pictured here.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2016 Audi RS4.
Audi’s RS models represent the pinnacle of speed and performance. Every enthusiast knows that anything wearing the RennSport (RS) designation is something special. The entire legacy of RS models began 20 years ago with the creation of the RS2 Avant. A project that was developed in partnership with Porsche, the RS2 features a 311 horsepower, turbocharged five-cylinder engine and quattro AWD in a wagon shell.
Fun Fact: The RS2 was actually manufactured by Porsche, not Audi, in the same factory that produced the bonkers Porsche 959 supercar. Even today, RS models are not assembled on standard assembly lines.
To pay homage to the car that started it all, Audi is releasing a special edition version of the RS4 Avant. The new RS4 Avant Nogaro Selection will make its debut at the Geneva Auto Show. This special edition is coated in Nogaro blue paint, reminiscent of the blue hue that the RS2 was sold in.
With quattro AWD, a monster V-8 and five doors, the RS4 Avant Nogaro Selection is the perfect successor to the machine that started it all.
Audi has put together one of the craziest video we have seen the past few months. The company took two different 2013 RS4 Avants and invite them to play. The two RS4 feature hood-mounted paintball guns and the video was filmed in a military aircraft hangar. What happened after is likely the best paintball duel in the history of the sport, as these two Audis went head to head. We are certain any car fan would love to have been part of this game, we certainly would have.
For those of you who don’t remember, the RS4 Avant is powered by a 4.2-liter V-8 engine that delivers a total of 450 horsepower. This engine sprints the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds - an impressive number for a station wagon - and up to a top speed of 174 mph.
Hit the jump for a behind of the scenes video.
When it comes to German sports sedans and station wagons, each one has a big problem: top speed is limited to only 155 mph. For most people, this might sound like a pretty smart safety measure, but sounds pretty lame for a model to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in the 4-second range, but only be capable of hitting 155 mph.
Lucky for us, where automakers decide to limit the speed, tuners can intervene and change things significantly. For example, German tuner ABT Sportsline offers a nice upgrade package for the Audi RS4 that increases top speed to 180 mph. For this the tuner removes the speed limiter and replaces the standard exhaust system with a new stainless-steel one with catalytic converters that significantly improve the engine’s sound and eases exhaust flow. The output of the 4.2-liter V-8 engine surprisingly remains unchanged at 450 ponies, so the exhaust must not free up too much backpressure.
On the exterior, the tuner installed a set of larger alloy wheels in ABT DR design in a sleek gunmetal finish.
The latest episode of "Chris Harris on Cars" has brought together two of the most amazing cars currently available on the market in their segment: the new Audi RS4 and the Mercedes C63 AMG. As a bonus, two old models were also brought out to play: the original R5 version and the previous R7 generation.
This is a 17 minute long video, but trust us, it’s worth every second! You will learn a lot of new things about both vehicles, and you will also will find out which is Harris’ favorite car from the two.
As a reminder, the Audi RS4 is powered by a 4.2 liter V8 engine that delivers 450 HP and sprints from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds. The Mercedes C63 AMG gets a 4.2 liter V8 engine with an extra 7 HP (total of 457 HP), and makes the 0-60 mph sprint in 4.3 seconds.
Every German car company has their performance tuning arm and Audi is no different. The "S" badging has come to mean something special for Audi fans and the current line of S models compete with the likes of Mercedes AMG and BMW M models. Throughout the past 5 years or so, the automotive industry, especially this high end sector, has seen a never ending horsepower and performance war. And now that Mercedes has officially dropped the C63 Black Series, Audi had to do something to respond to that challenge. And they did: the company has announced the launch of the third generation RS4 Avant. The new RS4 combines potent performance with a high level of everyday practicality.
The original model was a muscle car in a tight suit producing 414hp from a 4.2-liter V8 that was stuffed in the small engine compartment. This, in addition to a tightened suspension, bigger brakes, and a six-speed manual, made the car very hard to compete with. But the new generation is even better. Audi is now utilizing a new 4.2 liter V8 engine - borrowed from the RS5 - that delivers a total of 450 HP. This engine sprints the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds - an impressive number for a station wagon model.
UPDATE 02/15/2012: This review has been updated with the official details and images.
UPDATE 06/14/2012: Audi has unveiled a new set of high res images for the new RS4 Avant, but also three new video presenting the car in action, plus details on the car’s exterior and interior. Enjoy!
Audi has already confirmed that the new RS4 will be making its world debut next month at the Geneva Motor Show, but the company is still making its way through some testing grounds in Southern Europe to see how the car can handle the hot weather. The prototype in these images are still heavily camouflaged, even though the masses already know plenty about the vehicle.
The new Audi RS4 will be featuring feature an aggressive front end, larger and wider wheels, and the possibility of some extra aerodynamic pieces made of carbon fiber. The design of the vehicle will stick to the sporty language already present in the RS5.
The Audi RS4 will also share the RS5’s engine: a 4.2 liter V8. This engine delivers a total of 450 HP at 8,250 rpm and a peak torque of 317.15 lb-ft available between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm. This output will make the RS4 the ideal car for public roads and for the track, all while being able to load the back with the products of your shopping ventures.
Everyone’s attention may be centered on the start of the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, but spy photographers are still hard at work capturing images of future models as they test their way into perfection. This week’s captive is the new Audi RS4 as it takes some hot laps on the Nürburgring.
The new RS4 Avant prototype caught testing revealed some new lights and a new grille which will highlight the upcoming facelift for the full A4/S4 range. It also features big air intakes on the revised front end, wider fenders, and massive oval exhaust pipes.
Now comes the power. If you live in the United States, chances are you don’t really care about the newRS4 Avant, either because it hasn’t been confirmed for the US market or because Americans still have this "thing" about not liking wagons. For the latter, may we remind you that Audi likes to test their S variants in wagon form before expanding to the more traditional models, so listen up. Audi has two options for the new RS4’s engine. Their first option is to use the same 4.2 liter V8 with 450 horsepower found in the RS5, and the second is to down-size to a twin-turbo V6 which will deliver about the same amount of power. We’re placing our bets on the V6 only because automakers have to focus more on fuel economy and if Audi can get the same amount of power and provide customers with gas-saving efficiency, that’s what they are going to do.
The next time you see a vulture pecking away at a carcass near an automotive graveyard, that carcass may just be Audi’s highest performing version of the A4. The Audi RS4 was originally rumored to receive a new generation in 2010, but since this year has come and gone, we can all venture a solid guess that that rumor was completely unwarranted. Now the next ripple spreading through the automotive world is that the next generation A4 - set to be revealed in 2015 - will not receive its RS version.
Not being able to see the next RS4 is extremely unsettling for us as it was one of our favorite Audi models offered on the US market - especially in its convertible version - but we’ll just have to see what other piece of automotive meat will get tossed to us when the time is right. Audi seems to think the future RS6 will be worthy enough to attract the RS4 fans and this is where their focus will be until the car debuts. This new model is rumored to be powered by a new 4.0 liter twin-turbo V8 engine that will deliver around 600hp, which is same as the RS7. Sounds intriguing enough for us. What do you guys think? Hit us up in the comments section below.
According to reports, the German automotive conglomerate Volkswagen AG is reshaping the lineup of four ringed luxury vehicles that it is planning to offer in the U.S. in a more economical way. While Audi has no plans of producing a diminutive A1 mini car or a drop top A3, they are planning a few other versions of the compact hatchback. These variants include everything from a clean diesel burning five door to a four door sedan, much like an upscale VW Jetta, and even a compact crossover called the Q3. The German automaker is also considering a zero emissions A2 BEV. An all electric A2 city car would definitely soften up the U.S. market’s opinion about a possible e-Tron super car further on down the road.
On a more global note, the German automaker has also canceled plans to build an all out racecar spec motor sports version of their current entry level sedan, the RS4. However Audi did tell us that their RennSport division is focusing on the B segment cars, so that only leaves the RS5 to get our high performance hopes up, at least until the next round of cutbacks. However it would have been unlikely for the German automaker to expand the breadth of their RS lineup for next year with the TT-RS scheduled for delivery and an RS3 in the works. Although we here in the U.S. will most likely never see the latter, it is rare that Audi build more than one RS variant per model year. Either way it looks like all of Audi’s in house high performance tuner cars will keep with a sleek two door theme.
The last new Audi RS4 to roll out of a showroom was back in early 2008. At the end of that year the German automaker has already released a new generation A4 with the theme of downsizing for efficiency. With the new body also comes a new RS4. Audi prefers to wait until they are closer to the end of their product’s life cycle before developing and all out factory tuned hot rod and so the word has just broken that the next four-ringed sports car to wear the RS4 badge will go n sale in the spring of 2010.
It is possible that the German automaker is aiming for a Geneva Motor Show launch, looking forward to embarrassing competitors offerings like the Mercedes Benz C63 AMG, the BMW M3 and the Lexus IS-F. The current trend is a high horsepower combination of speed and luxury, however none of these other high performance machines can match the handling performance of Audi’s Quattro all wheel drive system.
The 2010 Audi RS4 will be powered by a V8 engine that will deliver an impressive 450 HP, a gain of 30 HP compared to the old 4.2 Liter FSI equipped RS4. The future super sedan will also feature larger air intakes in the front bumper, inspired by the Audi TT-RS and the upcoming RS5. Like all of the rennsport models, the RS4 will wear a more aggressively styled aero kit.
Audi has got a new body for the A4. With the new RS4 due in 2010, and tough economic times, how is an Audi dealership supposed to get rid of its current supply of the old-style $67,000 sports sedan?
Good idea: use tall inflatable manlike statute to flail arms and attract customers. Better idea: offer deep discounts off sticker price. Best idea: have famous artist Romero Britto use the car to create a one-of-a-kind piece of rolling art.
We spotted this car at a Miami area dealership. It is not a wrap or any kind of shortcut; it’s got raised paint and all. We were not given a final price, but expect to pay over sticker to take this home (his regular paintings go for five and six figures). Britto’s artworks are worth a smaller fortune. He has painted everything from CD covers, to dinnerware, to bikinis and murals. He even has a line of fragrances.
Fourtitude revealed the first official information about the future RS4 and RS5. It seems the car will feature the same V8 engine. Power will come from a 4.0 TFSI turbocharged engine, same that will be used for the next-generation A8. This means the output will be around 470 hp.
The engine will be mated to Audi’s latest 7-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission (a.k.a. DSG). The new RS cars will also benefit from Audi Drive Select (ADS) - controlling suspension, steering weight and ratio, throttle mapping, and shift points on S-tronic models.
Considering that spy shots of the RS4 have been circulating on the internet for a long time now, we presume the car is about its debut. Unlike the RS5, which there have been no spy images.
In order to update the looks of your Audi A4 Cabrio, Hofele, the well-known tuning company, unveiled their RS4 front bumper which updates the old A4 B6 8H Cabrio to the new A4 B6 8H Cabrio. According to the manufacturer the front bumper can be combined with the S4, RS4 silver and RS4 black front grill.
Made of high-quality material PKG, the front bumper from Hofele comes already painted and it can easily integrate OEM components like the parking sensors, headlights washing system and the fog lights. Additionally, the tuner offers also a light package consisting in a pair of LED day driving lights with five LEDs.
Two of the most powerful cars ever: M3 vs RS4. The M3 is powered by a 4.0 liter V8 engine producing 420hp and makes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 4.8 seconds. The RS4 is powered by 4.2 liter V8 engine that produces 420 hp and makes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in..., well you are right: 4.8 seconds. Winner? Watch the video and you will find out!
And if you enjoy the "musicality" of the French language when you should definitely watch (...)
Oups! A few days ago, AutoCar reported that the RS4’s production will come to an end. And as a result you could see all over the internet the same news. After all it was something quite big. But as big it was, as untrue it was. Our mistake! But this is the powered of media!
According to WindingRoad, this was all exaggerated. They also say that Patrick Hespen, Audi’s Media Relations and Motorsport Specialist told them: "Chris Bokich, my new boss and former A3/A4/A5/RS4 product manager for the (...)
There is song that says something like this: "why do all the good things come to an end?" Really now, why? I think the RS4 sedan is the best thing ever happened to Audi. So, why in the world do they want to end it?! But they will: the RS4 will be soon out of production. They must have something really good in their hands if they come with such a decision!
Powered by a 414 hp V8 engine, the RS4 is a real success all over the world. Reason why in the summer of 2006 the company added another (...)
Few hours ago we told you about the fastest street-legal four-door Audi currently in production: the MTM RS4. Now is time to see the beast in action.
Powered by a supercharged 4.2-liter V8 engine, the MTM RS4 adds another 120 bhp (this means 535 hp) and 96 lb-ft of torque to the standard performance of the Audi RS4.
Powered by a supercharged 4.2-liter V8 engine, the MTM RS4 adds another 120 bhp (this means 535 hp) and 96 lb-ft of torque to the standard performance of the Audi RS4. And is priced at 20,000 euro, or nearly $25,600.
The engine conversion uses a variation of the ultra-efficient Swedish-made Lysholm Technologies Twin Screw Compressor. Boosting at just 5.8 psi, this is a bolt-on conversion that does not require the engine’s compression ratio to be lowered. Cooling arrangements are similarly (...)
Everyone knows that the US market is by far the biggest market for Audi soft tops in the world. This is why was more than natural for Audi to bring the RS4 Convertible to USA. And they will, starting 2008.
The US version of the RS4 Convertible will be limited to only 300 units that will only be sold in the US. Audi will offer the same colors as for the sedan version, but a titanium package will not be available.
The RS4 Convertible will be powered by the same 420 horsepower V8 engine used (...)
Audi will be the official automotive sponsor of Art Chicago, America’s longest-running international modern and contemporary art fair. During Art Chicago, Audi will introduce the Audi RS 4 Art car created by Brazilian-born Pop artist Romero Britto.
Involvement in contemporary art and design has long been a component of Audi’s corporate culture – partnering with some of the world’s most renown shows – among them Design Miami/ 2006, the Armory Show 2007 in New York and latest Art Chicago. (...)
Quattro GmbH is further enhancing the visual attractiveness of the Audi RS 4 with two new equipment packages for the sports saloon and the Avant. The Black Audi exclusive and White Audi exclusive styling packages offer sophisticated optional extras.
The two paint finishes, Phantom Black, pearl effect and Ibis White, ensure a striking exterior design for the V8 models. The Black styling packages and the White styling package with an ibis white single-frame grille provide the quattro models (...)
Audi brought the RS4 sedan to the US market last fall, and they announced that the convertible version will not be available in USA. But recently Audi has announced that the previous plan may be changing. The sport-ute-slaying wagon won’t be offered for the US market, but the RS4 convertible still has a very good chance of making it stateside.
The RS4 Convertible will be powered by the same high-revving, 420-hp V-8 found in the sedan, and should wear a price tag of just over (...)
At a press conference presented by the MIDWAY GROUP and hosted by the New York International Auto Show at the Jacob Javitz Centre in Manhattan, New York, the Audi RS4 was declared the 2007 World Performance Car.
The Audi RS4 was chosen from an initial entry list of seventeen (17) contenders nominated by World Car jurors from 22 countries throughout the world.
While the winner of the overall World Car of the Year award must excel in a broad range of attributes, there is a segment of the (...)
From an initial entry list of twenty-eight (28) new vehicles from all over the world, a short list of ten finalists for the third annual World Car of the Year (WCOTY) awards were announced by the international accounting firm KPMG. The winners of the 2007 WCOTY will be unveiled during Press Preview at the upcoming New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) on Thursday, April 5, 2007. Vehicles are selected and voted on by an international jury panel comprised of 45 top-level automotive (...)
Despite the fact that USA is the number one market for the Audi A4/S4 Convertible, Audi has announced that the RS4 Convertible won’t be available on the US market.
One of the main reason it is believed to be the big costs due to the strong Euro. So, markets like L.A. or Miami they will have to stay to the sedan version of the RS4, as the Convertible won’t be coming into dealers.