Undisputed bestseller of the Audi Sport range, the 2018 Audi RS4 Avant comes back with a new engine and dynamic services in progress. Our test in the region of Malaga (Andalusia).
A little history
Our baby of the day is a distant descendant of the famous Audi RS2 of 1994, the one by which the saga RS started. At the time, the Ingolstadt company seeks to maintain the myth of the Audi Quattro Sport which has allowed the German brand to win in the sports market, but also and especially in motor racing.
The Audi RS2 , developed in close collaboration with Porsche, takes the famous 5 cylinder turbo in a version of 315 hp. It also launches the fashion of the survitaminés breaks, of which Audi will be the spearhead.
Of a larger size and better adapted to a family use, the Audi RS4 Avant is born in 2000. This break receives then a V6 with double turbo, an architecture very rare at the time and whose power of 380 ch him allows to humiliate many sports.
The success being the rendezvous, Audi recidivated in 2006, with an even more ambitious RS4, since it adopts a large V8 4.2 atmospheric of 420 hp. A power increased to 450 hp on the RS4 Avant of 2012.
Since the year 2000, more than 27,000 Audi RS4 have been sold, making it an essential model in the manufacturer\’s range.
We should not miss this new opus, which will be launched in 2018 in our market.
A neat aesthetic
Compared to an Audi A4 Avant, this 2018 Audi RS4 Avant version gains length (4.78 meters), width (1.87), but is lower (1.40 m). This evolution is explained by its widened wings of 30 mm , by a front and rear shield rather very muscular, by the presence of an air deflector and by a chassis lowered by 27 mm.
The end result is rather impressive, and this 2018 vintage is the most dynamic. Special mention for our test model, equipped with the Esthétique Pack carbon & aluminum matte (2280 €) and superb 20-inch forged aluminum wheels (2770 €).
A serious break
Point of woodwork and bright colors for the interior of our Audi RS4 Avant, but a serious interior, sporty, but nevertheless quite opulent. The dashboard is of course taken from the A4 range, but is distinguished by its beautiful flat wheel and thick rim, a virtual RS specific cockpit, sports seats with exceptional support, and our test model, a superb interior carbon pack (1200 €).
A word also about standard equipment, which includes navigation, 180-watt audio installation, 3-zone automatic air conditioning, City Assistance Pack (Parking system plus, Reversing camera, Audi side assist, Audi Pre sense.
As exclusive as it is, an Audi RS4 Avant keeps the family fiber, with a nice comfort in the front and rear seats, but a 5th place that is still sacrificed .
With its very low access threshold and regular contours, the trunk (505 liters) is ample for a sports car of this caliber.
A V6 with trunk
Many, including yours, will miss the atmospheric V8 . Not so much for its performance, but rather for the incomparable pleasure that this architecture provides to lovers of beautiful mechanics.
But do not sulk our pleasure. The double-turbo 2.9-liter V6 of our Audi RS4 Avant shares its pistons with the Porsche Panamera. Ultra-sophisticated, this 6-cylinder develops the same power as the old V8 (450 hp), but outperforms in torque with 600 Nm. You add a reduced mass of 80 kg (1715 kg empty), and the result is simply amazing .
Well supported by an excellent 8-speed automatic transmission, the V6 pushes very hard and almost instantaneously. Glued to the seat, I am surprised at every glance on the meter, as the ease of reaching 200 km / h is staggering. Audi announces a time of 4.1 seconds to travel from 0 to 100 km / h, and believe me, there is no deception on the goods.
The sound somewhat artificial and the relative linearity of the engine remain ultimately secondary as the approval is undeniable.
High speed break
Equipped with the RS Dynamic Pack at 7570 € (Dynamic Steering, Quattro with Sport Differential, Sport RS Plus chassis with Dynamic Ride Control …), our test model is the perfect illustration that an Audi can be fun to drive, especially compared to BMW M3 and Mercedes C63 AMG.
Placed on rails, but with a rear train more mobile than before, the Audi RS4 Avant is a real treat to lead on the big curves of the Andalusian hinterland. Direction sufficiently communicative, big brakes, beautiful agility despite the mass, this RS4 is really difficult to follow. Only downside, his discomfort on degraded pavement.
Conclusion
This fourth generation of Audi RS4 Avant makes a copy at once serious and not devoid of pleasure. A break as we would like to have in his garage, both very powerful, ultra-secure and family. A cocktail that is very expensive, since it will cost 92000 € off options to offer it. To compare to the 88800 € required to afford a Mercedes C63 AMG Estate.