Road Test: Audi RS4 Avant

The Audi RS4 Avant has a fierce reputation as a bit of a rip-snorting and blisteringly quick, err, family wagon. The 5-door estate has plenty of heritage too, pre-dating any of Audi’s modern-day RS cars, like the RS3, RS5, RS6 and TT RS, by a good few years. In fact, it traces its roots back to the very first Audi RS vehicle, the limited edition and noteworthy Audi RS2 Avant. The RS2 was the product of an Audi partnership with Porsche and one which resulted in just 2 891 cars being built in 15 months from March 1994.

The RS2 Avant (codenamed B4 after being built on Audi’s ‘B’ platform) was astonishingly quick, even by modern standards. The turbocharged 2.2-litre, 5-cylinder, engine produced 232 kW, which was enough to rocket the compact estate from 0 – 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and to a top speed of 262 km/h. While the input from Porsche may have waned, enthusiasm from Audi and the public for RS cars hasn’t, and ever since the RS2, the Rennsport badge has been applied to a select few vehicles equipped with Audi’s latest technical know-how.

The 2012 Audi RS4 Avant (B8) is the latest incarnation of Audi’s Rennsport ethos and, in the light of day, there is no mistaking it for the far more average A4 Avant. If the RS4 was looming in your rearview mirror, it would make its presence felt with a scowling pair of LED running lights, threatening anthracite-coloured honeycomb grille and a front bumper with air intakes to suck you in like a black hole.

The RS4’s profile is less of an assault on the languid suburban psyche, but the slightly bulging side sills, flared wheel arches and optional 20-inch alloy wheels, mean you wouldn’t risk looking at the RS4 in the wrong way, for fear it might glare back at you. Signature RS detailing includes matte aluminium-look side mirrors, roof rails and window trim strips.

An extended roof spoiler with a recessed centre segment increases the downforce over the Avant’s rear axle, while 265 mm-wide tyres cast a foreboding shadow over the tarmac and canon-sized oval tailpipes, integrated into a prominent diffuser, are poised to send out V8 shockwaves.

The RS4’s interior is adorned entirely in black, apart from the headlining that can be optioned in ‘Lunar Silver’. Other trim options include the carbon fibre inlays that can be changed for brushed aluminum, 3D-look ‘Aluminum Race’, black piano or light stainless steel mesh. The ‘S’ sport seats are standard equipment and are styled after a single-piece race item. Covered with a combination of black leather and Alcantara, they feature large side bolsters on the backrest and the extendable seat cushion, integrated head restraints, seat heating, 4-way adjustable lumbar support and are electronically operated. These too can be optioned with full leather trim, gray piping and climate control. The rear seats are contoured for improved support during cornering and fold flat to increase cargo capacity from 490- to 1 430-litres.

The driver enjoys the use of aluminium-look pedals and a footrest, with prominent touch-points like the air vents, gear lever, seat adjustment buttons, power window buttons and MMI controller, all featuring the same detail. A flat-bottomed multifunction steering wheel, covered in perforated leather, fits snugly in one’s hands, with aluminium-look shift paddles within millimetres of your fingertips. Reminders that you’re inside an RS4 are to be found in the form of an RS4 logo between instrument dials, atop the gear lever, head restraints, base of the steering wheel and door sill trim strips.

The list of optional comfort and convenience features is extensive, but standard equipment includes: the Audi Drive Select system; Audi Parking System Plus, Bluetooth connectivity; electrically operated tailgate; MMI Navigation Plus; tyre repair kit; automatic climate control; an 8-speaker sound system; as well as safety equipment such as 6 airbags, Isofix anchor points and tyre pressure monitoring.

The now familiar Audi Drive Select system, allows adjustment of the suspension, steering, engine and transmission, between three presets: comfort; auto; dynamic, while an ‘individual’ mode allows the driver to select any combination of the three. Since driving the pre-facelift Audi RS5 Coupe in 2011, the company has made noticeable improvements to their Drive Select system, specifically the range of adjustment between comfort and dynamic modes, as well as the speed at which the system processes suspension feedback when in the auto setting.

‘Dynamic’ is arguably too hard for all but the smoothest sections of S.A.’s road network, although bodyroll is virtually non-existent and the car feels taught and precise as a result. Allowing Drive Select to calculate its own spring and damping rates in ‘auto’ mode proved the best of both worlds, as it co-ordinates compression and rebound rates according to the prevailing road surface, thereby offering a more favourable balance between compliance and composure.

Optional with your purchase of an Audi RS 4 Avant is the Sports Differential that can send up to 85 percent of power to the rear-wheels. Trust me, tick this option box. The system constantly recalculates the ideal distribution of engine power as a function of the steering angle, yaw angle, lateral acceleration, speed and other information. In a nutshell, the system helps to significantly eliminate the tendency to understeer and allows the driver to push the Avant harder than expected as a result, which equates to more enjoyment. In addition, the RS4 is also currently the car that is closest to achieving a 50:50 weight distribution in Audi’s RS line-up. The weight bias is around 56:44 (front-to-back) and is experienced with the car feeling planted beneath you. There isn’t much steering feel to speak of, even if the car does respond and steer with accuracy, but once again, the car’s balance inspires confidence and predictability.

The S tronic 7-speed transmission works well to feed the engine’s 331 kW and 430 Nm of torque to the wheels. Cog swapping both up and down the ‘box is executed with alacrity when in ‘comfort’ mode, but the aggressive shifting ‘dynamic’ mode is best used when letting the V8’s horses loose, otherwise it can be a little snatchy and awkward at mundane speeds. The programmed blips of the throttle on downshifts are addictive and will likely account for a good portion of the fuel bill, which raises something of an uncomfortable question. What’s the point of the RS4 Avant?

It’s practical, with a big boot and space for five passengers. It’s luxurious and will happily perform the duties demanded by business executives. It’s fast, with a limited top speed of 250 km/h and it’ll reach 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. It’s also 26 percent more fuel efficient than the previous B7 generation RS4, requiring a claimed 10.7 l/100km. The all-rounder abilities are great, but not unique. No, apart from the good looks, the RS 4 only really comes into its own when driven hard, at which point it really does tickle the senses and becomes one of the more seductive RS cars available. It’s just a pity that at that point too, you’ll need to be either on a racetrack or on a deserted road and certainly can’t have the family with you.

What we like…

• Naturally-aspirated V8 power, noise and response.
• Aggressive styling, lower and wider stance.
• Audi Sport Differential and weight balance.

What we would like…

• To open the exhaust valves and let out the noise, without having to set the transmission to ‘dynamic’ mode.
• A more comfortable ride. (Take the 19-inch wheels and save on Audi Drive Select).

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