The New Audi RS4 Avant Is Here With 442lb ft Of V6 Thrust

The new 2.9-litre V6-powered RS wagon packs a 125lb ft increase in torque over its predecessor
The New Audi RS4 Avant Is Here With 442lb ft Of V6 Thrust

There’s something conspicuously absent under the bonnet of this all-new Audi RS4 Avant: a V8. Yep, the glorious 4.2-litre N/A V8 has gone, usurped by a new 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 developed in collaboration with Porsche.

But what has been lost in cylinders has been more than made up for in torque: the new unit pushes out a curiously specific 442.5lb ft, over 125lb ft more than the old V8. Sure, power is the same at 444bhp, but torque is more useful in the real world, and we’re happy to report that the new six-banger is seriously potent in the RS4’s coupe brother, the RS5.

0-62mph is dealt with in just 4.1 seconds, and at the top end - assuming you option the ‘RS dynamic package’ - you’ll hit the electronic buffers at 174mph. With up to 32.1mpg and emissions as low as 199g per kilometre of CO2 possible meanwhile, it’s - on paper at least - much more efficient than the old car.

Compared to a boggo A4 on sports suspension, the RS4 sits 7mm lower. A ‘Dynamic Ride Control’ system with adapative, hydraulically-linked dampers is optional, with carbon ceramic brakes on ‘dynamic steering’ also on the configuration menu.

A rear ‘sport differential’ is on offer, although that’ll be fitted as standard on UK cars, along with Virtual Cockpit. Aren’t we lucky?

Further helping the new RS4 in the handling stakes is a drop in weight. At 1790kg it’s still a porky thing, but crucially, it’s 80kg ligther than before.

The New Audi RS4 Avant Is Here With 442lb ft Of V6 Thrust

It is also - we think - rather handsome. The front is dominated by a massive, honeycomb-stuffed singleframe grille (just picture it without a number plate spoiling the show), while 30mm wider wheel arches with ‘quattro blisters’ give the whole car a particularly mean stance.

19-inch forged wheels come as standard, or for maximum bling, 20-inch rims will be available.

The New Audi RS4 Avant Is Here With 442lb ft Of V6 Thrust

It’ll be available to order later in September for £61,625 on the road, with the first cars making their way to UK customers in early 2018.

For now though, we’d like to ask you: this, or a Mercedes-AMG C63 estate?

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Comments

DL🏁

I love this time in September and March when there are car news every 5 minutes

09/12/2017 - 10:43 |
158 | 0

You seem have misspelled 5 seconds. It really is fun times though

09/12/2017 - 11:15 |
34 | 0
Anonymous

Sadly, we won’t ever see again the N/A V8…

09/12/2017 - 10:44 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

The fact that they don’t bring this thing states side is infuriating; i see an awesome car, and i want it

09/12/2017 - 10:57 |
4 | 0
Chewbacca_buddy (McLaren squad)(VW GTI Clubsport)(McLaren 60

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

I’m just glad that some companies even bring wagons to our shores

09/13/2017 - 00:30 |
0 | 0
Benji Gahleitner

If they took the oportunity to do a 5-pot, no one would complain.

09/12/2017 - 10:59 |
18 | 0
Anonymous

To answer your question at the end, Matt, I’d have this. The new one looks way too aggressive imo whilst this one looks much more subtle. Plus, 4.2L V8 as a bonus.

09/12/2017 - 11:03 |
34 | 2
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

The C63 AMG with the M156 6.2 V8 is better IMO.

09/12/2017 - 12:02 |
26 | 4
Freddie Skeates

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

The V6 TT is canon to old RS4s but nothing beats the 4.2 FSI

09/12/2017 - 12:18 |
10 | 0
SirJamjaxIsGoingAgain-PeaceOutChaps

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

I love both the styling and interior of the old rs4

09/12/2017 - 15:47 |
2 | 0
llP VeIoclty

Im a bmw guy but i think audi makes the best wagons/estate cars in the market, they simply look amazing and have the performance to back it up

09/12/2017 - 11:43 |
12 | 0

But then there’s the E61 M5…

09/12/2017 - 15:54 |
4 | 0
Wogmidget

After all, VAG doesn’t have a great record on this

09/12/2017 - 11:44 |
4 | 6
SirJamjaxIsGoingAgain-PeaceOutChaps

In reply to by Wogmidget

But this ones a petrol, so vag is a bit more reliable.
I will say though, this made me chuckle

09/12/2017 - 15:48 |
4 | 0
Anonymous

Officer: Carl, why don’t you have a front license plate?
Carl: Because aesthetics

09/12/2017 - 12:03 |
10 | 0
JDM_Dawg

Let me guess, it won’t come to the US.

09/12/2017 - 12:40 |
6 | 0
SirJamjaxIsGoingAgain-PeaceOutChaps

In reply to by JDM_Dawg

Ofc it wont, its an estate

09/12/2017 - 15:45 |
4 | 0
Darth Imperius/Anthony🇭🇷

so fuucking good

09/12/2017 - 13:01 |
0 | 0