What's all this about?
Remember the original RS4 Avant? Of course you do. What's cooler than taking a practical family car and fettling it to the point where it can trouble supercars for pace? It's a wonderful concept, and after the B8 RS4 of five years ago, we now have Audi's newest version.
Looks menacing...
Audi has always been the king of understated aggression, but this thing looks like a true rear-mirror terrorist. The front-end treatment and swollen wheelarches hint at the potential beneath, while the RS-specific rear spoiler and exhausts will give you a clue as to what's just passed you. Audi's famous Nogaro Blue paint makes a welcome return, too.
And the interior?
More understated menace here, although it's not much different to any modern Audi you care to mention. Black is the predominant theme, with sports seats and the hallmark flat-bottomed wheel present and correct. The Virtual Cockpit display gets special RS features including a G-force meter, and there's some aluminium and carbon detailing to set it apart from its cooking siblings.
Now, the important bit. How quick is it?
Very. An electronically-governed top speed of 155mph can be lifted to 174mph with the RS Dynamic package option, and the 0-62mph sprint takes just over four seconds. Sadly for fans of the old V8, the bi-turbo, 2.9-litre V6 found in the RS5 Coupe is now the engine of choice. Although this disappointment will be short-lived when you see the torque figures. How does 600Nm from 1,900rpm all the way to 5,000rpm sound? That's a big improvement over the slightly peaky delivery of the last car, although the power output of 450hp is unchanged.
What about the chassis?
Quattro all-wheel drive will keep you out of the hedges, and it's teamed with the slick eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox. Ceramic brakes and RS Sport Suspension Plus are optional, although in the UK we're lucky enough to get the trick rear differential as standard.
How much?
Available to order from the end of the month, pricing starts at £61,625. This puts the RS4 Avant firmly in contention with that other uber-estate, the Mercedes-AMG C63 S. What a mouth-watering battle that will be...
Shane O'Donoghue - 12 Sep 2017
