Top 3 Audi RS 4 Avant features that stand out from the competition.

By Farzana Chaumoo

A practical sports car comes of age: Precisely 20 years ago, the first Audi RS 4 Avant was launched. The new generation model makes its local debut combining high performance with excellent suitability for daily use.

 

1. Design

Audi designers took inspiration from numerous motorsport details used on the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO when designing the Audi RS 4 Avant. The front features solid air intakes with a honeycomb structure typical of an RS and the wide, flat single-frame grille. Compared to the Audi A4 Avant (not available in SA), the wheel housings have been widened by 30 millimetres each and are also emphasized by the quattro blisters. At the rear, the RS-specific diffuser insert, the oval tailpipes of the RS exhaust system and the RS roof spoiler make a bold statement.

 

2. Engine and Performance

The RS 4 Avant is powered by a 2.9 TFSI V6 twin turbo engine that puts out 331 kW of power and 600 Nm of torque, spearheading the A4 family. The latest unit exerts 170 Nm more than its predecessor deployed throughout a wide speed range from 1,900 to 5,000 rpm. The standard quattro drive distributes the power of the V6 twin turbo engine across all four wheels.

The Audi RS 4 accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 250 km/h, but with the optional RS dynamic package, the top speed is raised to 280 km/h. The average claimed fuel consumption is 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres while CO2 emissions is measured at 200 grams per kilometre. These figures represent an efficiency increase of 17% over the previous model. In addition, the new Audi RS 4 Avant dropped 80 kilograms of weight and weighs in at 1,790 kilograms now. On top of this, the standard RS sports suspension makes the Audi RS 4 Avant seven millimetres lower than the S4 with sports suspension. Drivers can also create their own personal driving experience using the Audi drive select dynamic handling system, which is fitted as standard.

 

3. Quattro permanent all-wheel drive

The power of the 2.9 TFSI twin turbo is transferred to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive via an eight-speed tiptronic transmission with optimized shift times that is specially tuned to sporty driving. 

The quattro permanent all-wheel drive is a unique feature in the segment. With its asymmetric and dynamic design, it contributes greatly to the sporty and stable handling of the RS 4 Avant. During regular driving, the system uses a rear-weighted setup. Its purely mechanical centre differential lock sends 60% of the torque to the rear axle and 40% to the front axle. When slippage occurs on an axle, most of the power immediately flows to the other axle – up to 70% to the front, and up to 85% to the rear. The wheel-selective torque control enhances the mechanical functionality of the quattro drive. The agility, precision, stability and optimal traction are further enhanced by the software of the ESC Electronic Stability Control.