Audi RS4 Avant – a 450 hp wagon wet dream

Audi RS4 Avant – a 450 hp wagon wet dream

Nice as it is, the Audi SQ5 TDI you saw this morning was just the appetiser – here’s the main meal. This is the third-generation Audi RS4 Avant, and like the two before, it’s one of the most desirable wagons in production now. Ingolstadt doesn’t even call it a wagon – the RS4 Avant is billed as a sports car for everyday use.

Audi and the VW Group is a major proponent of turbocharging, and have been doing the downsizing thing before everyone else hooked on to the idea. But this special car gets a special engine, a naturally aspirated, high revving V8 unit. The 4.2 litre FSI engine makes 450 hp at 8,250 rpm and 430 Nm of twist between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm.

Audi RS4 Avant – a 450 hp wagon wet dream

This is enough for the fastest Avant to go from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds. Top speed is as usual limited to 250 km/h but can be increased to 280 km/h upon request. Launch Control manages starts with optimal traction at the push of a button.

As with every RS model, the engine’s power flows to all four wheels via quattro permanent AWD – the latest version sporting a self-locking crown gear centre differential and torque vectoring. Audi also offers the optional sport differential, which actively distributes the power between the rear wheels.

Audi RS4 Avant – a 450 hp wagon wet dream

Average fuel consumption is a mere 10.7 litres of petrol per 100 km, 26% less than the previous model. With its long top gear, the standard seven-speed S tronic gearbox contributes to the good fuel economy. Also responsible is a new electromechanical power steering that is claimed to be highly efficient with excellent road feedback.

The suspension of the Audi RS4 Avant is made largely of aluminum. The body is lowered by 20 mm compared to the standard Avant.

Audi RS4 Avant – a 450 hp wagon wet dream

Audi drive select dynamic is standard. Dynamic steering, the sport differential and the sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) are available as options. The latter is a purely hydraulic system without any lag, whose damping can be switched between three characteristics – comfort, auto and dynamic via Audi drive select.

The electronic stabilisation control (ESC) has a Sport mode and can be deactivated entirely, if necessary.

Audi RS4 Avant – a 450 hp wagon wet dream

The exterior is muscular yet subtle. You can spot an RS4 Avant by its hexagonal single-frame grille with a matte aluminum-look finish; its honeycomb insert in high-gloss anthracite and adorned with an RS4 badge. The aggressive bumper tapers into a splitter edge and the low centre air inlet is divided into three small openings.

From the side, there are chiseled side sill caps and flared wheel wells. The flared side elements have sharp horizontal upper edges, a small tribute to that legend from 1980, the Audi quattro. The side mirror housings and trim strips again have a matte aluminum finish, and an extended roof spoiler with a recessed middle part increases rear downforce.

Audi RS4 Avant – a 450 hp wagon wet dream

The red car you see here is in Misano Red. Other colours include Suzuka Gray, Daytona Gray, Phantom Black and Sepang Blue – the latter named after our F1 circuit.

I have a dream…


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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Love it…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • droll on Jun 18, 2012 at 1:05 pm

    aaaaaaaah, another RS series car. luvly!

    only question is why did they go with this V8 engine instead of say tweaking the existing S3 3.0 engine to produce comparable amounts of power?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Josh Ling on Jun 18, 2012 at 10:09 pm

      i think i would rather them sticking with the NA engine now, because there’s still something very special about big V8 engine that normal turbo-charged V6 engine lacks.

      Just curious, why they always like to put Sepang name next to a blue colour? I think BMW had done something like that for its M Cars (M5 if not mistaken) before. Is there anything about Sepang that makes them link Sepang with Blue?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • kjryth on Jun 18, 2012 at 1:50 pm

    Proton Preve better.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • yeah better..better in your wet dream..hahaha where u got premature ejaculation when u seeing preve

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • kjryth on Jun 18, 2012 at 10:31 pm

        premature ejaculation?? How you found out?? your wifa tell you ??

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Kia and German on Jun 18, 2012 at 8:13 pm

      Even the Audi A4 can smoke this Preve junk anytime

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Hadi1975 on Jun 18, 2012 at 9:25 pm

      Proton salesman in desperate need of sales……

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
      • kjryth on Jun 18, 2012 at 10:38 pm

        Stupid comment!! One thing for sure Malaysia Audi salesman definitely need more desperate sales than Proton salesman. Go and get a data from your sales manager young Cuckoo.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Hadi1975 on Jun 19, 2012 at 8:04 am

      Alo young boy….comparing proton preve with an audi rs4 avant is a smart comment ka????stupid la you…..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Ah Chan on Jun 18, 2012 at 2:34 pm

    *drool*
    Something about being powerful wagons

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • yanes on Jun 18, 2012 at 2:49 pm

    v engine in a wagon. le celebracion continues. and sepang blue is a malaysian must buy! :)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • zesss on Jun 18, 2012 at 3:07 pm

    One thing I hate about hate about wagon car. they all looks like kereta mayat. Hahaha. like seriously. lol

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • kamaji on Jun 18, 2012 at 3:12 pm

    They are getting mad,who needs a wagon with massive power…hmmm just wonder.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • khairulx19a on Jun 18, 2012 at 4:57 pm

    for speedfreak that doesn’t want too stand out much in the crowd.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Hanif on Jun 18, 2012 at 5:20 pm

    Nice interior & exterior but.. why wet dream?? :p

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • nebula87 on Jun 18, 2012 at 7:00 pm

    wet dream? Orgasm while dreaming ar?? xD

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • haiyaaaaa…come on la…
    Wagon for old man maa…
    In Malaysia, only old man drive a wagon…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
    • fairsyah on Jun 19, 2012 at 10:12 am

      it depend on the driver. old people drive like young people or young people drive like an old people. the drver can be both young and old at the same time. u choose.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • ronnie tan on Jun 18, 2012 at 9:19 pm

    ya why have such massive BHP in a wagon? crazy and ya lunatic

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Thats why we malaysians loses out again..wagons are so practical and much more useful than sedans..can you bring your fridge in your sedan? You can bring your fridge at 300kmh in this rs4 avant..beat that!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • fairsyah on Jun 19, 2012 at 10:03 am

    i wonder why proton dont make wagon. i like wagon. i wish for a good spec wagon in the range of 60k. preve cfe engine spec at least.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Awesome car..!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • I have always loved the A4 Avant. The design and proportion of the car is perfect. The best wagon on the road for sure. And the RS? Scheisse, ein schoenes Auto!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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