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
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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. 
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
What’s not?
- Audi has worked hard to improve fuel consumption by 27 per cent compared with the old model to 26.4mpg in the combined cycle test, and CO2 emissions by 24 per cent to 249g/km, but running costs are still going to be high
- The new seven-speed S tronic transmission is excellent, but the lack of a more involving manual gearbox option, a big attraction of the previous RS 4, may put off some keener drivers
- The estate body offers high levels of practicality but some will miss the choice offered by the old RS 4, which was also available as a saloon and a cabriolet
