One Drive in Audi’s RS4 and You May Want Nothing Else by Casey Williams - www.car-data.com
All rumors point to Porsche launching a four door model (besides the gargantuan Cayenne) in the next couple of years. I have news for them: Audi has already done it. And well. Based on the entry-level A4, the super buff RS4 is a force to behold.
The little A4’s engine bay is stuffed with an aluminum 4.2-litre V8 engine that produces 420 horsepower and 317 lb.-ft. of torque – nearly as much as the big 6.2-litre HEMI in the SRT8 models, but with 1/3 less displacement. That’s 80 more ponies than the already-potent S4 model, and as if that isn’t enough, Audi connected them to the road through Quattro all-wheel-drive, a smooth six-speed manual transmission, and 19” alloy wheels with high performance tires. Audi claims the little road slayer will claw its way from 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds. Fuel economy of 14/21 mpg city/highway is as expected.
At first glance, the RS4’s body is little more than a base model with ground affects and a spoiler. Look a little closer and you’ll notice flared fenders, aluminum in front. To save weight and increase performance, the RS4’s hood is also crafted from aluminum. Dual chrome exhausts burble with delight while the massive front grille and valence inhale air to feed the gremlins beneath. Bi-Xenon front headlamps with curving lighting look mean, but light up the roadway like a Boeing 747 looking for a runway at O’Hare. No matter, all most people will see of the RS4 are its bright red taillamps.
Interior furnishings are as serious as the mechanical nubbins. Deeply bolstered heated Nappa leather seats (front and rear), leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum dash and door accents, carbon fibre console trim, aluminum pedals, rainsensing wipers, Bose speakers, and Sirius Satellite Radio look great, feel great, and sound great. Like Audi’s German competitors, the company combines the navigation and audio controls into a display screen with a mini joystick. Unlike some competitors, it is easy to use. What I’ve come to appreciate in Audis is that engineers never forgot cars are to be driven. Cupholders actually hold cups, the automatic climate control has buttons, and nothing takes a driver’s attention from the road. It may not be the ultimate driving machine, but it’s darned close.
Just after Thanksgiving, my in-laws were in town. They wanted to eat barbeque at a downtown restaurant (about a 20-minute drive) and see Christmas lights afterwards. All four of us snuggled into the RS4’s heated seats, were soothed by some Christmas music from the satellite radio, and arrived refreshed. Of course, they had no idea how fast I was driving (VERY fast) because the RS4 motors along and accelerates so smoothly. It has a stiff sport suspension system, but it never seems harsh. Even as a vehicle with more horsepower than a base Corvette, it unleashes it sublimely.
All of this high-tech engineering and performance comes at a price: $73,520 as tested (after you pay that, you may think you bought a Porsche). If you think the RS4 is just a hopped up A4, then you’ll cringe at the note. But, this is no mere A4. Until Porsche builds a four-door sports car, the RS4 is your ride. One drive and you may want nothing else.
