Audi tweaks RS 4 to give it more power, a myriad of driver modes and modified looks. The result: a ballistic road missile that will frighten occupants, and yourself...
Callum Alexander | Callum on Cars | News
Fast wagons offer a balanced compromise between performance and practicality. And there are few examples that better fit this remit than the new Audi RS 4 Avant - a track weapon that doubles up as a family focused shuttle.
Under the bonnet, Audi has kept the 2.9 litre TFSI twin-turbo V6, but has tweaked the power output to 450bhp, up from 444bhp. The actual engine itself weighs 182kg, 31kg less than the V8 in the 2012 RS 4; this lowers the overall mass of the car and improves weight distribution across the chassis. Those two turbochargers are each assigned a cylinder bank - they are aligned within the 90-degree interior of the V6 engine - with the exhaust exit gate on the inside and the intake gate positioned facing outside the engine. This tight configuration means a short gas flow, with minimal flow losses meaning there is barely any hint of turbo lag.
The result is an enhancement in performance, which on the road - in real world terms - equates to supersonic speeds for a family friendly wagon. The 0-62mph sprint is dealt with in the same 4.1 seconds as the previous RS 4, it is also restricted to a 155mph top speed. But, the latest RS 4 can be released from this self-imposed constricted state if the RS dynamic package is installed. With this, the RS4 is liberated to reflect its true potential - it will clock 174mph.
That performance is transmitted to the road through a quattro all-wheel drive system and an eight-speed tiptronic gearbox; the mechanical differential distributes 60% of torque to the rear axle and 40% to the front. The torque is shuffled around the RS 4’s drivetrain via a control system network. The wheel-selective torque control works in tandem with Electronic Stabilisation Control to actively brake corner side wheels slightly and speed up wheels on the outside - this counteracts the slip angle from loss of traction.
"After petrifying your passengers with the RS 4’s pulverising pace, you can impress them afterwards by showing the telemetry"
An optional sport differential with RS tuning apportions torque between the rear wheels to further improve traction and reduce oversteer. This works when turning or accelerating in a corner as torque is fed to the outside rear wheel on the RS 4.
The suspension setup is also a complex web of technology. The RS sport five-link arrangement is implemented at the front and back which in conjunction with a roll and pitch stabilizer courtesy of the dynamic ride control, formulates a damper system to reduce roll and pitch movements of the RS4. Settings to modulate the responsiveness of the dampers can be picked - there are three modes to choose from.
These modes are listed on the ‘Audi drive select’ dynamic handling system - this interface dials up and down the RS 4’s engine, transmission, suspension and quattro differential settings. The spectrum ranges from: comfort, auto, dynamic, gradually ratcheting up to RS1 and RS2 modes if you want to shred the nerve endings of your occupants to tethers. In fact, Audi has installed an RS mode button on the steering wheel, bypassing the need to trawl through the driver select system altogether - it will then project RS-specific displays in the Audi virtual cockpit.
The cabin is fitted out in fine materials - leather, suede and carbon - all surrounded by a throng of technology interfaces. Dominating the dashboard is the centrally located 10.1-inch touch display screen - it’s the control centre of the operating system - it lists details about the drive systems, and relays them to the driver.
This can be retrieved via ‘Audi virtual cockpit,’ the hub of the RS 4; tyre pressure, torque, power output, engine oil temperature, lap times, acceleration times and g-forces measurements can all be sought here. Presumably so after petrifying your passengers with the RS 4’s pulverising pace, you can impress them afterwards by showing the telemetry - it might not be the official remit of the control centre, but you get my drift.
The RS 4 Avant interior exudes a level of contemporary refinement and quality that you’d expect from a range topping Audi. That is enhanced with the ambient lighting package - lights trace the contours of the doors and centre console, alternating between 30 different colours. Quite a cool touch. Plus, there is the RS design package that offers contrast stitching and added patches of Alcantara; oh, and lots of RS 4 logos plastered on everything you can see and touch, just in case you forget what you’re driving. Not likely.
The exterior styling has also been revamped. With a more muscular redesigned front section, the RS 4 embellishes familiar RS model trinkets. There are three different styling packs to pick from: gloss black, matt aluminium and carbon - the latter in particular adds an angrier, aggressive edge that’s bound to send shudders down the spines of prospective onlooking passengers.
The RS 4 Avant is available in December with prices starting from £69,694.
Callum Alexander | Callum on Cars | News
Photos: Audi
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