Audi RS 4 Avant 2007 Review

Road Test

Overall rating: 4.0/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 4.5/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 4.0/5.0
Safety: 4.5/5.0
Behind the wheel: 4.5/5.0
X-factor: 4.5/5.0

When Audi launched the RS 4 earlier this year, it was widely praised as a car that offered explosive performance and extremely competent dynamics in a practical four-door sedan. Its performance came from a simple case of big engine/relatively small car with a suitably upgraded chassis package to match the potential under the bonnet. Now, that practicality has been further extended with the arrival of the wagon version -- Avant in Audi-speak.

Based on the five-door A4 Avant, the RS 4 Avant, like its sedan and soon-to-arrive convertible kin, uses a stellar high-revving 309kW/430Nm 4.2-litre V8 to drive all four wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. With a pricetag that starts at $168,100, it is not cheap by any standards but after a brief launch drive, that sticker is about our only gripe.

Looking at the car, it has a very purposeful stance sitting about 30mm lower than the standard A4 on big 19-inch alloys shod with 255/35 rubber. A body kit offers a performance indicator but nothing close to what lies within.

Stronger hints are in evidence when you climb into the aggressively-bolstered, narrow (and manually adjusted!) driver's seat and are faced with the racecar-style square-bottomed thick-rimmed donut of a steering wheel. Firing up the engine gives a further hint of things to come as the growl from the rear quad pipes fills the interior. And if you want it even more in your face, you can hit the sport button that squeezes the seat bolsters even tighter and sharpens throttle response.

But it is when you first blip the accelerator pedal that you realise of what this small/medium wagon is capable. With a heavy right foot, the thrust off the line is extremely strong and  forces you back into the seat. Running the engine through to about 7500rpm before slipping through the gears via the slick and surprisingly light manual shift will have you reaching 100km/h from standstill in just 4.9sec according to Audi.

But it is not just the straight acceleration numbers that are impressive. This smooth and free-spinning engine as it is also superbly flexible. With 90 per cent of the torque available from 2250 through to 7600rpm, it will comfortably pull from 60km/h in fourth at about 1500rpm, making it perfect for lazy cruising around the 'burbs.

That said when you get out on a tight twisting country road, it truly comes alive. The very well balanced chassis sits supremely stable and flat on the road providing the confidence to push ever harder. And big tyres and all-wheel drive combine to offer limpet-like grip while the drilled and ventilated 365mm front and 324mm rear discs do a fantastic job at pulling the car up very smartly.

The steering is sharp and direct with reasonable feel and while the ride quality is definitely firm, it maintains enough compliance to soak up rougher roads without being harsh or uncomfortable. In fact, driving the car on the same poorly maintained route as the big S8, it was actually the RS 4 Avant that felt more comfortable.

You can't help but praise this car's dynamics. It is up there with the best.

If we have a criticism of the RS 4 it is that at nearly $170K it is very clearly A4-based in terms of cabin's ambience and equipment levels -- witness the manually-adjusted seats. In comparison to more upmarket offerings in the same price range it also suffers in terms of its sat-nav, audio and other infrastructure as well.

That said, the RS 4 is about the drive not the accoutrement. With its engine flexibility and easy driving nature, the RS 4 Avant is a great daily driver yet tweak its tail and its supercar sharp. There's nothing else like it -- and you've got to love that!

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