Audi RS4 Avant 2013 Review

Since its introduction 12 years ago, the Audi RS 4 Avant has become something of a cult classic. It’s the sensible family wagon with a slightly sinister side - a car offering performance and practicality under the same, silken skin.

Alright, so it’s not quite as demure as its donor model, the A4 wagon . Trainspotters might notice ‘pumped’ guards over the wheel-arches, larger brakes, lowered suspension, bigger wheels and more aggressive aerodynamic fairings. And those with an ear for well-tuned German V8s certainly won’t mistake the insistent soundtrack playing beneath the bonnet.

Even passengers unfamiliar with the sports styling of Audi’s Renn Sport division couldn’t help but notice the interior’s lustrous gloss-black and carbon-fibre detailing, rich Valcona leather, flat-bottomed steering wheel and figure-hugging seats.

In fact, there are more than enough pointers, hints and livery to announce to the world that the third-generation RS 4 Avant has arrived kicking and screaming at Audi dealerships for a mere $150K. Sure, it’s a lot of money - to most - but like they say: If you have to ask…

And while you’re asking, let’s cap off a few more questions. RS-kicking performance comes courtesy of Audi’s revised 4.2-litre FSI V8 - a high-revving, normally aspirated unit developing an impressive 331kW at 8250rpm and 430Nm of torque between 4000 and 6000rpm. The rev ceiling is an astonishing 9000rpm!

It’s an output the pessimist might call ‘adequate’ and the optimist ‘generous’, and is enough to shove the family hauler to 100km/h in just 4.7 seconds with the assistance of a little electronic friend called Launch Control.

Top speed is set electronically at 250km/h, though if you ask Audi nicely it’ll increase it to 280km/h upon special order. A long top gear helps the seven-speed S tronic transmission achieve a combined fuel consumption figure of 10.7L/100km, though on track we achieved 36.5L/100km.

Oh, that’s right; I forgot to mention we took it on the track! Cornering, as you’d probably expect with adjustable lowered suspension and tenacious all-wheel drive grip, is nothing short of brilliant.

You can feel Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system shifting torque from front-to-rear and left-to-right as the laws of physics try to arrogate the RS 4 Avant’s intended direction.

But even physics surrender to German know-how as the sizzling V8 rips to redline, yanking the remainder of the RS 4 Avant obediently with it. There’s a whisker of understeer if you push too hard, but the linearity of the throttle ensures that a momentary lift of your right foot is all it takes to tuck the nose neatly back into place.

It’s on the limit of adhesion that the RS 4 Avant proves its worth. The electromechanical steering is direct and offers suitable weight, though ultimately lacks the progression and fluidity of a hydraulic system, and is a little dull when ‘waking up’ from on-centre. (Audi’s electric steering is essentially inactive on-centre in a bid to save fuel. It only starts to work once input is detected.)

Under heavy braking, the RS 4 Avant’s tail can get a little squirrelly, such is the impact of the (optional) hefty ceramic stoppers. In its standard form, the RS 4 Avant comes with sexy wave-cut cross-drilled 365mm disc brakes (324mm at the rear) grabbed by massive eight-piston monobloc calipers. Audi says this trims 2.5kg from the car’s unsprung mass, or 4.5kg when optioned with carbon.

And let’s not forget that RS 4 Avant’s suspension is comprised primarily of lightweight aluminium. As good as it is on track it’s still surprisingly compliant on the pockmarked roads surrounding Sydney Motorsport Park (the racetrack formerly known as Eastern Creek).

So if you’re after the pace, practicality and prestige associated with a Renn Sport Audi you really don’t have much further to look. That might sound like an ad, but believe us: the RS 4 Avant is nothing short of fantastic.

Audi’s answer to the Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Estate is the sort of car you’d happily live with every day and then hit the track in on weekends. Give up your membership at the golf club and buy one of these - we guarantee it’s much more fun.

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site…