Test drive: Audi RS 4 Avant: 450 CV to carry the family and enjoy the track

When we think of a family car that is sporty and capable of handling our daily chores, there is only one that comes to mind: an RS from Audi. That’s right, this week we got behind the wheel of the Audi RS 4 Avant, the most radical version of the Audi A4 Avant, ready to win over those who, besides having to deal with the family, want to keep enjoying a car with an extra kick.

The truth is, we wanted to find out first-hand whether enjoying the drive and enjoying high-flying performance really requires sacrificing the versatility of a family estate. The Audi RS 4 Avant is the perfect partner to find out.

A design faithful to its principles

At first glance, we see an Audi RS 4 Avant that follows the blueprint set by its ancestor, the iconic Audi RS2. At Highmotor we deeply appreciate the crazy, dyed-in-the-wool petrolhead who had the grandiose idea of marrying the virtues of a family estate with the tuning of a pure, hardcore sports car. Blessed legacy.

We perceive the Audi RS 4 Avant’s fidelity to that concept through its imposing styling, adapted to current standards and tastes. The front end, dominated by the characteristic Audi singleframe grille and the “RS 4” badge, already hints that this is no ordinary car; there is much more to it.

The widened wheel arches not only accommodate eye-catching 21-inch wheels, but also add muscle to the four-ringed estate. Still, it is the rear that puts the finishing touch and reveals the true character of the Audi RS 4 Avant.

This is achieved through a pronounced spoiler and a diffuser that, besides offering better aerodynamics, houses two cylindrical exhaust outlets of considerable diameter that shape the soundtrack of the twin-turbo V6 residing within.

A cabin that combines sportiness and comfort

But before dealing with all the dynamic and mechanical intricacies of the Audi RS 4 Avant, let’s take a look at its interior. Here we find important novelties brought by the facelift that the German brand has applied not only to its sporty estate, but to the entire A4 range.

The dashboard is dominated by a steering wheel flattened at the bottom and, in this case, trimmed in Alcantara, a material that feels lovely to the touch but will lose its lustre over time after being exposed to our hands. Behind it sits the well-known Virtual Cockpit, a fully digital instrument panel, fast and intuitive, which now presents a new menu when we select Dynamic mode.

On the dashboard, the main novelty lies in the screen, which now measures 10.1 inches compared with the 8.3 inches it had before. As with the instrument cluster, its behaviour is quick and fluid, complemented by very intuitive operation. However, Audi has sacrificed the rotary dial on the centre console with which we could control the infotainment system, which is now fully touch-based. Fortunately, the climate controls remain physical.

Overall, the materials are first-rate, as expected in a car whose starting price exceeds 100,000 euros. However, certain plastic-trimmed centre console mouldings clash a little -which can be optionally finished in carbon fibre- and some door and air vent fittings are less refined.

In terms of comfort, there are two front seats in the form of bucket-type seats. These offer electric adjustment, heating and, optionally, cooling. Their numerous adjustments help us not only to quickly find a good driving position, but also to stay comfortable. Lateral support is exceptional and, at the same time, their comfort level allows us to tackle long journeys without hesitation.

The rear seats will accommodate two adults without too many problems. Headroom is generous, but legroom and width are not as impressive as one might expect from an estate. The centre seat has a rather firm backrest, and the pronounced transmission tunnel makes it harder to place your feet comfortably.

Last but not least, the boot of the Audi RS 4 Avant. It offers 495 litres, a more than sufficient capacity to carry the luggage of four people, which can be loaded with ease thanks to its regular dimensions and a flat loading lip. Without a doubt a plus for those seeking a sports car that is also practical.

Ready for the track and for carrying the family

But the crux of the matter lies in its mechanical and dynamic side, where a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 capable of delivering 450 CV and 600 Nm of torque comes into play, along with an eight-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox and quattro four-wheel drive, backed by an optional limited-slip differential.

How does this potent package translate to the tarmac? We must point out that the Audi RS 4 Avant has a dual personality, a bit like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. We perceive this when we encounter a car that is perfectly valid for everyday use, provided we can live with its high consumption -which climbs to 15 litres/100 km in town- and a firm, hard suspension that will transmit every pothole of the road precisely into the cabin.

On the motorway we find an almost ordinary family car. In Efficiency mode, the RS 4’s torque-converter gearbox quickly seeks eighth gear to let us enjoy a relaxed journey, reducing consumption to an average of 9.8 litres, which is not bad for a V6 producing more than 400 CV. Its comfort is good despite being a sports car, and we will only grumble about the Audi Sport setting when the hard, stiff suspension meets the road’s imperfections.

In the urban world, the RS 4 is not the best ally. Its hard suspension makes its presence felt again, and its dimensions do not help when navigating narrow streets with ease, but it does stand out for its generous boot and its capacity to seat five passengers, something the owner of an Ferrari F430, for example, cannot enjoy. Nor is it a car that draws too much attention, something made possible by the discreet Daytona Grey colour of the test unit and by the V6’s sound, which even in the wildest driving modes remains slightly subdued.

However, the Audi RS 4 has a rebellious, spicy side that seeks to escape the unjust label of “boring” car assigned to recent RS models. Pressing the right-hand pedal to the floor releases a pack of horses ready to deliver unbridled power, perfectly managed by a guardian angel named quattro.

One of the points that surprises most about the Audi RS 4 Avant is its traction and its ability to devour corners. The German estate remains unfazed and even forgives the driver’s gross errors, delivering a constant sense of security and of running on rails. Inputs are transmitted perfectly through a direct steering system, though not as communicative as that of some competitors’ models, and the firm, hard suspension, which somewhat penalises comfort, ensures the body shows not a single wobble when we demand a lot from the German estate.

The straights are devoured in a matter of seconds and the corners can be attacked with surgical precision. If we push hard, we can unsettle the rear to a certain extent and thus round the bend. But under extreme conditions, pushing the RS 4 to its limits, we will encounter a slight understeer that is easily corrected.

Special mention goes to the carbon-ceramic brakes, an option that involves a hefty outlay but may be worthwhile if we are frequent visitors to circuits. It is true that until they reach their ideal temperature they are not as effective as one would expect, but afterwards their braking is precise, firm and powerful. And it is never a bad idea to have a good braking system to stop the RS 4, a car that goes very quickly indeed.

The V6 engine never hesitates. The 600 Nm of torque arrive with fervour from the very first steps of the rev counter, at just 1,900 rpm, while the 450 CV make their presence felt between 5,700 and 6,700 rpm, offering a constant sensation of power across the whole rev range, though in a linear fashion.

The torque-converter gearbox is well calibrated, managing shifts quickly and perfectly interpreting the driver’s needs, although it can be a little lazy when we demand power in Comfort mode. In manual sequential mode it is quick, very quick, even more so than the previous dual-clutch S tronic gearbox. What’s more, we can reach the rev limiter without the gearbox upshifting to the next gear, allowing us to enjoy the sporty driving even more.

Conclusion

So yes, the Audi RS 4 Avant is a genuine sports car disguised as a family car, which allows us to carry our family, run our daily errands and, at the same time, enjoy a mountain road.

It is true that its set-up makes it firmer and more “uncomfortable” than a saloon -or an ordinary estate for that matter- and it is precisely its versatility that prevents it from being as radical or passionate as a pure supercar; but overall we find a car that gathers everything a car enthusiast could want in a single vehicle.

We must also bear in mind that its starting price of 102,830 euros is not for everyone, but if your finances allow it and you need one car for everything, the Audi RS 4 is one of the most sensible options, provided we don’t focus on its main drawback, the Audi RS 6 Avant. But we won’t get into family feuds.