What's all this about?
It's the latest limited-run model from Audi Sport, and it celebrates 25 years of the RS 4 Avant. Rather obviously, it's called the Audi RS 4 Avant edition 25 years.
Catchy. At least you can see it from a mile off.
It's an homage to the 1999 B5-generation RS4 Avant (the space between the RS and the number was introduced in 2002 with the C5-generation RS 6, by the way, and yes, we are that pedantic). Vibrant Imola Yellow was one of the colour choices for the first RS4, and Audi has revisited the hue for the 25th anniversary. Don't worry, though, because if you're not keen on burning your retinas, the edition 25 years is also available in Nardo Grey and Mythos Black metallic.
So, is Audi going to charge a pretty penny for a fancy new colour?
Far from it, Audi Sport's engineers have given the car's running gear a freshen up, too. The 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 has been carried over from the standard RS 4 Avant, but it's been breathed on to make up to 470hp, which is an increase of 20hp. There's a new sports exhaust system underneath that's designed to deliver more aural thrills, too.
The RS 4 Avant edition 25 years has a 0-62mph time of 3.7 seconds, which somehow is 0.4 seconds faster than the standard RS 4 Avant's, while the top speed is electronically limited to 186mph. Carbon ceramic brakes are fitted as standard.
And there's new suspension in the form of a manually adjustable coilover set-up that's designed to deliver "the perfect combination of dynamics and comfort". The car's ride height is lowered by 10mm over the standard RS 4, while customers can use the toolkit that comes with the car to lower the ride height by an additional 10mm if they so choose.
The front wheels have an extra two degrees of negative camber to boost cornering, while two sets of Pirelli tyres are thrown in: a set of P Zero Corsas for road use, and a set of P Zero Trofeo RSs for track driving. These come on 20-inch alloy wheels, one set in Palladium matte, the other on all-black rims. Elsewhere, there are stiffer front control arms, a strengthened rear subframe, a quattro sport rear differential, an improved rear Torsen differential and reprogrammed transmission software for faster shift speeds.
I spy some other tweaks to the exterior...
Well spotted. As well as the yellow paint and wheels from the competition model, there's a gloss-black finish for the Audi rings front and rear, as well as for the window trims, while the headlamp bezels are darkened, and the roof rails removed for a sleeker look.
The front and rear bumpers and side skirts feature a carbon-matte finish, which is exclusive to this special model. There are also tinted side windows, too, while the rearmost side glass is engraved with 'RS 4 edition 25 years' lettering.
The cabin benefits from plenty of leather and Alcantara, and everything features yellow detailing. There's yellow stitching on the sets, steering wheel and gearshift gaiter, while yellow logos are used on the front seat headrests and dashboard. Each edition 25 years model will have their unique model number engraved on the centre console, while the Virtual Cockpit dials can be customised to have black-on-white lettering, as inspired by the original fast Audi estate, the RS2 Avant.
Sounds pretty comprehensive, what's the catch?
Only 250 Audi RS 4 Avant edition 25 years models will be built and sold in Europe, and just 50 of those are coming to the UK, while the price is quoted at £115,880. However, if Audi's past RS edition models are anything to go by, it shouldn't have any trouble selling them all.
Anything else to add?
There's an alternative way to take advantage of the mechanical updates to the RS 4 Avant, because there's a new RS 5 Sportback performance edition launching at the same time. This comes with the 470hp version of the RS 4's twin-turbo V6 and the coilover suspension, though only 10 examples will come to the UK.
Shane O' Donoghue - 28 May 2024
