Insurance Jon Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 They were released at 11pm gmt, and here they are: write up: New dimensions in driving dynamics combined with innovative ideas and concepts – and, in addition, exciting lines and a level of equipment living up to even the highest luxury performance standards: The new Audi RS 4 combines the latest high-performance motoring qualities offered by quattro GmbH in a thoroughbred sports saloon with supreme everyday driving qualities in the premium segment. Indeed, the new RS 4 is the top-of-the-range model in the A4 series, a development all-new from the ground up. Numerous technical achievements – many of which hail from motorsport – give the new Audi RS 4 its unique class and character. These features include the high engine speed concept now being introduced for the first time in a production Audi, innovative FSI technology, as well as the latest generation of quattro drive with asymmetric/dynamic distribution of torque. Developing a maximum output of 420 bhp, the V8 revs up to a speed of 8250 rpm. With its displacement of 4163 cc, this outstanding engine exceeds the magical barrier of 100 bhp per litre truly outstanding in a production saloon. Maximum torque of 430 Nm comes at 5500 rpm in this very compact engine, with 90 per cent of the engine’s torque consistently available between 2250 and 7600 rpm. The result is excellent muscle and pulling force at all times, enabling the driver whenever he – or she – wishes to drive in truly relaxed style without frequent gear changes. Audi has chosen its trendsetting and groundbreaking FSI technology for the RS 4 saloon, direct gasoline injection ensuring even more effective combustion of the fuel/air mixture and, as a result, an even better power yield. This is matched by the highly responsive development of power, the RS 4 accelerating to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and reaching 200 km/h in 16.6 seconds. Top speed is cut off electron-ically at 250 km/h. Audi’s FSI technology has already proven its qualities impressively in Audi’s four-time Le Mans winner, the Audi R8. A further essential point in the brief given to Audi’s development engineers was to optimise the car’s power-to-weight ratio, avoiding every superfluous gram on the Audi RS 4. Accordingly, virtually every component was checked and cross-checked for minimum weight. The front wheel arches and the engine compartment lid are therefore made of aluminium, just like most components on the chassis and suspension. The specially designed RS bucket seats, in turn, are not only very light, but also offer extremely good body support in every situation. The result is a power-to-weight ratio of just 3.93 kilos per bhp – a figure truly reminiscent of a thoroughbred sports car, which would not even have been conceiv-able just a few years ago in a midrange saloon. The RS 4 features racing technology in civilian clothes. While many of its features look similar to the new Audi A4, the RS 4 is far more than just a “fast” derivative of Audi’s highly successful midrange saloon. Quite simply because the car is an almost entirely brand-new development tailored to the highest performance requirements. The single-frame radiator grille, the rear section with the distinctly horizontal orientation of the car’s lines, and the side surfaces with the shoulder line plastically filling in the car’s contours, all prove that the RS 4 is a member of the A4 family. However, the radiator grille in diamond look, the additional air intake scoops in the front section, as well as the wheels developed specifically for the RS 4, clearly set the car aside from a “normal” Audi A4. The newly designed rear air dam encompassing two extra-large tailpipes as well as the discreet but highly effective spoiler integrated in the luggage compartment lid and the rear side panels all bear clear testimony to the saloon’s dynamic driving potential also in terms of their looks. Compared with the Audi A4, the entire body of the car has been lowered by 30 millimetres. And at the same time the development engineers at quattro GmbH have widened the car’s track both front and rear. At the end of the day, however, all these modifications to the body of the car are significant not only in terms of design, but also above all in terms of function. Inside, the RS 4 combines the straightforward function of a sports car with the luxurious ambience so typical of all Audi models. The dominating materials are leather, aluminium, and carbon. But at the same time the RS 4 comes with all the additional qualities so typical of a genuine sports car. This superiority becomes clear immediately when you take your seats in the car: The RS bucket seats with their high side sections provide excellent support. A further feature of these bucket seats is the control button on each seat for inflating the side support elements adjusting perfectly to the driver’s anatomy. The sports steering wheel tapering down at the bottom and the engine starter button on the centre console, in turn, are also clearly reminiscent of motorsport, just like the aluminium pedals. You start the engine of the Audi RS 4 by pressing the starter button housed conveniently in the centre console right next to the driver. Pressing the sports button in the steering wheel, in turn, the driver is able to modify the gas pedal control map, giving the engine even sharper and more direct response. Driving the Audi RS 4 means driving a sports car without making any concessions. Right from the start, therefore, the RS 4 comes with virtually all the features already boasted by the Audi A4. Apart from a wide range of advanced safety components, this also means high-comfort automatic air conditioning, central locking with remote control, and electric window lifts at the front. Further features of the RS 4 include the acoustic parking system at the front and rear, the Concert radio system, as well as sports suspension with variable damper control (DRC). Furthermore, the purchaser of an Audi RS 4 can also opt for a particularly high standard of comfort amenities such as Audi’s navigation system plus or dynamic adaptive light headlights literally guiding the driver round bends in the road. I'm glad I've got 2 on order! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 wow !!!! quick work fella !! thats one stunning looking car !!! Top work Audi !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insurance Jon Posted February 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 Interior is well nice too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 You're not wrong there !!! and you've got two on order - smooth move !! I reckon its worth sticking a link to this in the news forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesB Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 Good work, Jon. And thanks. Sorry, Bazza, I'm going to have to disagree with you here - I don't think it looks a patch on the old RS4. Firstly, just not aggressive enough. It doesn't seem to sit as low and menacingly. Also the alloys are a bit barryboys IMO, the back looks no more promising than a 1.8T and the little ribs on the front wings remind me of the new MGs. Having said that, it's certainly not an ugly car and the interior looks very nice - and that's the best place to be. I definitely wouldn't say no and, depending on how my life works out over the next few months, might even say yes but think they could have worked harder on the styling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sayerbloke Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 Like the interior! Don't mind the exterior either... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 fair point mate - then again, with the speed you're going to be travelling I'm not sure how many people will be able to focus clearly on the car as is goes past !!! So, how much can I get for a kidney these days ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesB Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 [ QUOTE ] So, how much can I get for a kidney these days ? [/ QUOTE ] You're talking to the right man - shall we discuss this further at the Windsor meet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insurance Jon Posted February 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 you'll need to sell all 4! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] So, how much can I get for a kidney these days ? [/ QUOTE ] You're talking to the right man - shall we discuss this further at the Windsor meet? [/ QUOTE ] cool, though I'm not sure what state I'll be in after I sell all four as Jon is suggesting !!?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insurance Jon Posted February 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 I thought with advances in modern technology you could regenerate them and farm them so to speak, but what the hell do I know I sell insurance.....thats a sure fire way to buy one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesB Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 [ QUOTE ] I thought with advances in modern technology you could regenerate them and farm them so to speak [/ QUOTE ] I think that's salmon you're talking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 Ok those are the best shots i've seen of the new grill. Looks good overall. I agree with James though its not menacing enough. The air vents could have been bigger, but I guess the only practical way to do that is to start them further up. The interior seems to be tweaked only slightly from the standard B7, but thats audi's forte anyway. Reading between the lines in the hype though, it seems audi's engine progress is mainly removing the rev-limiter on the FSI V8. Maybe thats an indication of the direction future S and RS models are going to take. From a practicality point of view, is long-term reliability going to be more of an issue with high-revving engines? Its a new arena for audi. Whats the expected price btw? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesB Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 Jon, do you have any idea if and when there will be an Avant? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insurance Jon Posted February 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 It's not showing the last page? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insurance Jon Posted February 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 It weighs in at around 1600 kg, which isn't bad for the size of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insurance Jon Posted February 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I thought with advances in modern technology you could regenerate them and farm them so to speak [/ QUOTE ] I think that's salmon you're talking about. [/ QUOTE ] bugger, I keep getting those 2 mixed up...aren't glad I'm in insurance and not a gp! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 Nice one. Car looks ok. Not too sure yet on the first look. There are a few things that just don't seem to work right. Maybe its the lack of aggression, not sure. One things for certain that engine looks like its going to be a cracker. Over 100BHP is normally only BMW teritory without Audi resorting to a turbo. Am sure a few won't like the fact that it can't be tuned as easily though, but for the track enthusiast a nice razor sharp throttle will be a great treat. Now must have another look at those pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insurance Jon Posted February 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 The avant will follow 4-6 months after the sedan, for europe only. hence I've ordered one of each, I'll sell the saloon when I swap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitas3 Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 [ QUOTE ] I don't think it looks a patch on the old RS4. Firstly, just not aggressive enough. It doesn't seem to sit as low and menacingly. Also the alloys are a bit barryboys IMO, the back looks no more promising than a 1.8T and the little ribs on the front wings remind me of the new MGs. [/ QUOTE ] I agree with this. It looks a bit toned down on the pics so hopefully it will look a lot better in the flesh. Maybe I was expecting something a bit like my car. Maybe it will grow on me but I really can't seem to get used to the new Audi front end principle on these latest cars. It does appear to be a better equipped car though. My pet gripe with my car looks to be addressed a bit more with this one - 365mm vented drilled discs with bigger looking calipers which are cooled via direct underbody air streams. Also the seats look great, unlike the steering wheel! be interesting to see how well it handles and if they managed to reduce some of the understeer via engine relocation.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitas3 Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 *** Duplicate Post Removed *** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stig3 Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 <font color="green"> these are the only 'official' photos that matter... </font> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 It looks fab in red too.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollox Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 Here's the launch video too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopsta Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 Who needs rear wheel drive to have fun Really not sure about the look of the RS, maybe its the wheels and the stuck on body kit (appears to me anyhow). Still, that V8 sounds awesome [uber large thumbs up] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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