RS4 - Explained

Well, would you like the good news or bad? The good news is that the Audi RS4 is here at last on UK roads. The bad news is you can't buy one. Yes it's true! Audi are only producing 400 for the UK market and they were all sold a year ago before the price was released. It seems that there were plenty of buyers for a car costing nearly £50,000 and these days you have to be very quick off the mark if you want to own an exclusive Audi.

So what exactly is an RS4 I here you ask. The RS4 is the spiritual successor to the highly regarded RS2 which was developed in conjunction with Porsche in 1994. The RS series are flagship models based on the 'S' series cars that Audi produce, being more powerful, faster and better equiped than their relations. This time though, Audi decided to go in-house to quattro GmbH to produce the RS4 and since they had recently acquired Cosworth which is well known for building very hot Fords, they had the perfect tuning platform from which to develop their Hybrid.
The RS4 is based on the S4 Avant, just as the RS2 was based on the S2 Estate. An estate car is an unusual choice to tune but Audi are well known for their sports estates and made a name for itself and an entry into the Guinness Book of Records with it's previous effort.
The heart of the RS4 is it's Cosworth developed DOHC cylinder heads for the engine, developing a massive 380BHP and equally impressive 440NM of torque. The Cosworth Technology division developed the cylinder heads and assembles the engine which is based on Audi's familiar 2.7 litre Bi-turbo V6. 5 valve per cylinder technology and variable valve timing are standard on this engine but the addition of larger turbo chargers and intercoolers result in a massive power increase of 50% over the standard S4. Top speed is limited to 155MPH but tests have shown that RS4's generally exceed this and can go on to over 170MPH (Autobahn permitting). 0-62MPH in about 4.8 secs and 0-125MPH in 17secs makes the RS4 the most potent Audi yet and the fastest Estate car in production.
Many other enhancements have been made to the standard S4 including the braking system. Massive front composite brake discs, developed from the Audi motorsport programme and larger than the standard road wheel on a Ford Focus are fitted to ensure this Audi stops as well as it looks.
Externally, although the RS4 looks similar to the S4, virtually every body panel has been modified to give the RS4 a much wider and aggressive look. The wheel arches have been heavily flared to take the larger wheels and continues into the flared doors. Large sill covers extend out and flow through to modified bumpers. The front with much larger air intake for the intercoolers and distinctive 'Shark Gill' slots.
Standard equipment is high and includes Electronic Stability (ESP), Electronic Climate Control, electric Recaro seats, 18 inch Alloys, cruise control and Symphony stereo with Bose speakers. A choice of either full leather or Hi-Tech fabric/ leather are no cost options as well as a choice of Carbon Fibre or Piano Varnish Trim.

There are few options on the list but mostly include no cost ones such as trim and colouring options. You can even delete those wonderfull aluminium door mirror cappings in favour of body coloured plastic ones if you are so inclined. If you do wish to spend more, then the Satalite Navigation Plus includes a 5" TV monitor for stationary use and all for £3200. Amazingly, Sidegaurd head air bag protection is also an option which I would think should be standard on a car of this performance.

Prices for the RS4 start at £46500 which is good value if you compare it to a similarly equiped S4 Avant. A top optioned RS4 will set you back a little over £52000. The only problem is you can't get one from your local dealer because they are all sold out. However, the free market economy means there are a few speculators selling registered examples at a premium. Expect to pay approximatley £5000 over the odds but the RS4 is almost guaranteed to give it's owner a soft landing when it comes to resale. Remember, an RS2 would have sold for almost list even after 2 years of use and still comands very high prices today.

The RS4 is surely guaranteed to become a future classic.