Audi RS4: The Best RS Yet? - XCAR

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Audi's quite a greedy company when you think about it. Not only has it cornered the market on 4WD fun, but it's also got the whole 'subtle brutality' thing down as well. The new RS4 is a perfect combination of both.

Audi's got form when it comes to fast estates -- 1994's RS2 was the firm's first and was pretty cool. Co-developed with Porsche, it could hit 30mph faster than a McLaren F1.

That's... quite something, isn't it?

From then on Audi's portfolio of RS cars has been pretty impressive. The first generation RS4 came around the turn of the century while its follow up appeared (in saloon, convertible AND estate forms) in the middle of the decade. Both RS4s were celebrated for being both incredibly practical and entertaining to drive -- as such they hold their value irritatingly well.

This latest RS4 is, like its grandfathers, chuffing brilliant. Some have criticised it for being a touch too aggressive, but they forget that most people won't notice its angry looks. They'll pass it off as 'another German car' or simply not notice at all. Well, that is until it moves because the noise it puts out it simply incredible.

Its 4.2-litre V8 sounds, frankly, filthy. Unencumbered by turbochargers and other torque-boosting, MPG stroking toys, it's a work of sheer mechanical brilliance. 444bhp pours out of it and hurls you from zero to 62mph in just 4.7seconds. That kind of acceleration from a car that looks comparatively sedate is a little disconcerting. With the optional top speed restriction increase you can set the RS4's top speed to 174mph. That's a thing that simply shouldn't be. But I'm glad it is. Especially when you throw in some rather entertaining handling...

The RS4 and cars of its ilk are wonderful examples of car companies doing things because... why not? Audi has a 444bhp V8, why not stuff it under the hood of a small family estate? What's the worst that can happen? People decide they don't want to combine the banality of every day driving with a massive engine!? Do you honestly think that'll ever happen? I don't. Neither, thankfully, does Audi.

Long live the RS cars and their ridiculousness. Long live silly power in subtle (ish) packages. Long live Germans having fun.

Specs
Engine: 4.2-litre V8
Power: 444bhp
Torque: 317lb ft
0-60mph: 4.7seconds
Top speed: 174mph (with optional limiter raise, normally 155mph)

Written/Presented: Alex Goy
Shot by: Nick Wilkinson and Nick Payne
Edited by: Greg Barnes

VIDEOS IN ENDBOARD

Audi R8 - Director’s Cut: http://bit.ly/1uXViQz

Morgan Plus 8: http://bit.ly/1KxLROT