{"id":3220,"date":"2019-05-04T01:52:49","date_gmt":"2019-05-04T08:52:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogv2prod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/?p=3220"},"modified":"2022-05-11T05:01:53","modified_gmt":"2022-05-11T12:01:53","slug":"audi-rs-4-is-one-hot-sedan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/audi-rs-4-is-one-hot-sedan\/","title":{"rendered":"Audi RS 4 is One Hot Sedan"},"content":{"rendered":"\nReading Time: <\/span> 5<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>\n

PASADENA, Calif. Audis hot new sports sedan, the RS 4<\/a>, challenged my perception of sports-sedan performance with a 420-horsepower V-8, rear-biased all-wheel drive and racetrack handling that is capable of humbling many serious sports cars.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As stable at speed as any car I have tested.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

During normal driving, the engine and transmission are as smooth as silk, but put the transmission selector in Sport mode and it will feel like you have a tiger by the tail.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Directional stability<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Engine placement ahead of the front axle centerline.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Audi does a number of things better than anyone else.  They usually have the best interiors, the best sounding engines, and the prettiest engine compartments.  They also lead the field in styling.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is the S6 worth close to $80,000?  Is any car worth that much? It depends on who you ask.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Source: bingatrailer.com<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This very special version of the A4 is a rolling billboard for Audis Quattro GmbH performance division, which did the engineering. Audi plans to import roughly 1,000 of them at a base price of $66,000. A premium package, which adds the navigation system, Bose audio system, Bluetooth system, and heated seats, adds another $4,700.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 4.2-liter V-8 is completely new. Direct fuel injection, which Audi calls FSI, squirts fuel into each combustion chamber. More accurate fuel metering, plus the cooling effect of the directly injected fuel, enabled Audi engineers to raise the engine’s compression ratio to 12.5 to 1. Audi also enabled this engine to have an 8,250-rpm maximum redline, which is quite high for a production V-8. Audi said the RS 4 accelerates to 60 miles per hour in 4.8 seconds and has an electronically limited top track speed of 155 mph.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Audi invited auto writers to put the RS 4 through its paces on roads outside of Pasadena and at Willow Springs Raceway in Rosamond, California.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Category:<\/span><\/td>$50,000 to $70,000 compact high-performance sport sedan<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Who should buy this car:<\/span><\/td>A person looking for a brutally fast ultimate touring sedan<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Comparable models in this class:<\/span><\/td>BMW M3, Cadillac CTS-V<\/a>, Jaguar S-Type R<\/a>,<\/span>
Mercedes Benz C55 AMG<\/span><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The limited-production RS 4 looks like a tricked-out A4. It wears fatter wheels, bulging fenders, and a more aggressive front fascia. Only the roof and front doors are shared with the standard A4 sedan. Because the V-8 engine is heavy, the hood and front fenders are made from aluminum to save weight and to improve the front-rear weight distribution. Improving weight distribution is another reason the battery is mounted in the trunk where the spare tire normally resides.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Despite the car’s high state of tune, it was amazingly docile and easy to drive in the city. The six-speed manual gearbox is a breeze because the linkage is light and direct. The clutch felt equally light and easy to modulate.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though the RS 4 was at ease in city traffic, I could sense that it was a tad impatient, like a thoroughbred chomping at the bit. Its free spirit shined brightly as soon as we left the confines of the city and began to dive through the tight twists and turns of the Angeles Crest Highway. This legendary road that runs through the San Gabriel Mountains tests any vehicle backbone, and the RS 4 shone brightly.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winding through the mountains at a brisk but reasonable speed was a pleasure because of the tight suspension, 19-inch wheels, and Quattro all-wheel drive.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even at a moderate pace, the RS 4 was delightfully intuitive in its reaction to input from brakes, throttle or steering. Charging through the gears was great fun not only because the gearbox ratios are so nicely spaced, but also because the engine loves to rev. I don’t remember a V-8 that embraced rpm with such enthusiasm.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Sport button on the center console enlivens the engine even more because it quickens the throttle response and opens a baffle in the muffler for an even throatier sound.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the RS 4 might love to live at warp speed, public roads aren’t the place to experience that. The track at Willow Springs was the proper venue for some flat-throttle driving.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On the road course, the RS 4s uncanny grip on the road was immediately rewarding. There were a couple of straight sections where it was possible to reach nearly 120 miles per hour in fourth gear and the gigantic brakes<\/a> were mightily impressive when it was time to slow down for turns. Willow Springs is fairly fast, so most of the track was driven in third and fourth gears. The car was undoubtedly capable of taking the long sweeping turn eight at well over 100 mph, but the seat of my pants always told me to back off considerably.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The beauty of the RS 4 is its potential to pound flat-out around a racetrack one minute and cruise comfortably on the highway the next. And it does both without a great deal of compromise in either environment. That’s the ultimate compliment.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Price: The base price of the RS 4 is $66,000, not including a $720 destination and $2,100 gas-guzzler charge. The $4,700 premium package includes a navigation system, a six-disc CD changer, Homelink, automatic-dimming interior and exterior mirrors<\/a> and compass, drivers side seat and mirror memory, rain sensor for wipers, upgraded Bose sound system with Sirius satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, heated rear seats and sunshades for the rear seat. The sticker price of a loaded RS4 comes in at $73,520.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specifications<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Engine Type<\/td>4.2 liter 32 valve <\/span>double overhead cam (DOHC) V8 with variable valve timing<\/td><\/tr>
Horsepower<\/td>420 @ 7,500 RPM<\/td><\/tr>
Torque<\/td>317 @ 6,000 RPM<\/td><\/tr>
Fuel Recommended<\/td>Premium unleaded<\/td><\/tr>
Transmission<\/td>6-speed manual<\/td><\/tr>
Drive Type<\/td>Quattro all-wheel drive<\/td><\/tr>
Tires – Standard<\/td>255\/35ZR19 96Z performance tires<\/td><\/tr>
Overall Length<\/td>180.7″<\/td><\/tr>
Wheelbase<\/td>104.3″<\/td><\/tr>
Width<\/td>71.5″<\/td><\/tr>
Turning Diameter<\/td>36.4 ft Curb to Curb<\/td><\/tr>
Curb Weight<\/td>3,957 lbs.<\/td><\/tr>
Fuel Tank<\/td>16.6<\/span> Gals.<\/td><\/tr>
Miles Per Gallon (EPA)<\/td>city 14, hwy 21.<\/td><\/tr>
Acceleration 0 to 60<\/td>4.8 Seconds<\/td><\/tr>
Base Price<\/td>$6,000 <\/span>+ Destination charge of $720 and gas guzzler charge of $2,100<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2007 Audi RS4 Compact All-wheel Drive High-Performance Sedan<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Standard Equipment (partial list)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n