Do you want the good news or the bad news first? It’s hard to deny the excitement of a new Audi RS 4 Avant. RS cars started in the form of wagons, and the super estate car remains first and foremost an Audi domain. Yes others do it, but there’s something special in the air when Audi reveals a new one. Make that new one based on the smaller and lighter B9 A4 chassis and using the fire-breathing biturbo V6 of the RS 5 and it’s hard to look away. That’s obviously all fantastic, but there’s a catch… and in this case, that catch may not be hard to guess.
Alas, the only spoilers are the ones on the car. America has never gotten an RS 4 Avant. Yes, it got the B7 RS 4 with the R8’s high-revving V8, but only as a sedan. That was the only time Audi ever did a sedan version of the RS 4, and of course we only ever got that. Thanks sedan-loving marketplace!
It’s not like the RS 5 is a consolation. A coupe is spectacular for performance fiends, and the idea of the rumored RS 5 Sportback is very exciting indeed. Even still, Audiphiles love wagons and this wagon in particular. Rumor is Audi of America fought hard to make this one happen, but it’s basically been confirmed it won’t happen this time around. American product planners continue to fight the good fight, and while we suspect there may eventually be an RS station wagon in the USA, it won’t be this car from what we can tell.
So why is the Audi Club North America spreading the news on a European product? For starters, we’re all fans here, and the car’s unobtainium status isn’t reason enough to ignore it. Further, we’re guessing there are plenty of rabid owners of B9 A4s and allroads who are already sizing up this car in order to figure out what parts might fit to their own federalized automobiles. In as much, we’re posting it all here, with full press release and photo gallery below.
PRESS RELEASE: RETURN OF THE RS ICON, THE NEW AUDI RS 4
source: Audi AG
Audi Sport GmbH celebrates the world debut of the new Audi RS 4 Avant (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 8.8; combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 200-199*) at the IAA 2017. It combines high performance with tremendous everyday usability. Its 2.9 TFSI engine with 331 kW (450 hp) and 600 Nm of torque makes it the sporty vanguard of the A4 family. The standard quattro drive distributes the power of the V6 biturbo to all four wheels.
“The Audi RS 4 Avant is our RS icon with an incomparable history,” commented Stephan Winkelmann, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH. “In common with all our RS models, it blends immense power output with superlative everyday utility. In China, the Audi RS 4 will provide fresh impetus for growth as the only high-performance Avant in its segment.”
Roof edge spoiler creates distinctive rear end
When creating the fourth generation of the Audi RS 4 Avant, the designers took inspiration from many motorsport details of the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO. Massive air inlets with typical RS honeycomb structure and the wide, flat Singleframe grille define the front end. The optional Matrix LED headlights display tinted bezels. Compared to the Audi A4 Avant, the wheel arches are 30 millimeters (1.2 in) wider and are given added emphasis by the quattro blisters. At the rear end, the RS-specific diffuser insert, the oval tailpipes of the RS exhaust system and the RS roof edge spoiler make for a distinctive look. The exterior color Nogaro blue, pearl effect available optionally from Audi exclusive recalls the first generation of the high-performance Avant from 1999. The new Audi RS 4 Avant travels on 19-inch forged aluminum wheels as standard; 20-inch wheels are available as an option.
From 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 4.1 seconds, RS sport suspension and Audi drive select as standard
The V6 biturbo develops 331 kW (450 hp) in the new Audi RS 4 Avant. Its peak torque of 600 Nm (442.5 lb-ft) – 170 Nm (125.4 lb-ft) more than the previous model – is available across a broad engine speed range from 1,900 to 5,000 rpm. It is key to how the Audi RS 4 is able to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 4.1 seconds. The top speed is 250 km/h (155.3 mph). With the optional RS dynamic package, the top speed increases to 280 km/h (174.0 mph).
The power of the 2.9 TFSI biturbo is supplied to the permanent all-wheel drive via a sportily configured eight-speed tiptronic with optimized gear changing. Audi also offers an optional rear sport differential. Average fuel consumption is 8.8 liters per 100 kilometers (26.7 US mpg) (199 grams of CO2 per kilometer [320.3 g/mi]). That is an efficiency gain of 17 percent over the previous model. The new Audi RS 4 Avant weighs 1,790 kilograms (3,946.3 lb) 80 kilograms (176.4 lb) less than previously.
The standard-fit RS sport suspension sets the Audi RS 4 Avant another seven millimeters (0.3 in) lower than the A4 basic model with sport suspension. By way of equipment options, there are RS sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC), ceramic brakes and RS-specific dynamic steering. Drivers can define their own individual personal driving experience using the standard dynamic handling system Audi drive select.
Interior with sophisticated materials and digital racing-style cockpit
The black interior underscores the sporty character of the Audi RS 4 Avant. The RS sport seats with optional honeycomb pattern, the flat-bottomed RS leather multifunction sport steering wheel, the shift gate and the illuminated door sill trims are all adorned with the RS emblem. In the Audi virtual cockpit and head-up display, RS-specific displays indicate the g-forces, tire pressures and torque. The styling packages gloss black, carbon with aluminum attachments and carbon with black attachments provide further scope for customization. The Audi exclusive program covers just about any other special request.
The Audi RS 4 Avant can be ordered from the fall onward, before arriving at dealers in Germany and other European countries from the start of 2018. The basic price will be EUR 79,800.
Fuel consumption of the models named above:
Audi RS 4 Avant:
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 8.8 (26.7 US mpg)
Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 200-199 (320.3)*
* Figures depend on the tire/wheel combination used.
