Five years after it was first launched, the RS4 is still an amazing machine. Its 4.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 is a masterpiece in linear, punchy power delivery (not to mention musicality), while its chassis achieves a sort of eager agility and neutral balance that, by rights, ought to be beyond the reach of a large four-wheel-drive estate with an engine slung so far out in its nose.
In fact it's hard to find fault with the RS4 Avant. If we're being picky you could point out that the dash design is
to look dated, or that the driving position leaves you feeling perched on the car rather than in it.
But even these niggles are mitigated by impeccable build quality and fabulously supportive seats (which grab you even tighter when you put the car into 's' mode).
The RS4 was one of the first truly fast cars I ever drove as a wet-behind-the-ears motoring writer and I was frankly over-awed by its abilities. Half a decade on I'm truly glad to say that it wasn't naive exuberance that allowed the RS4 to leave such an impression - because the Audi RS4 really is a truly epic car.
"Seems almost too capable for UK roads - a bit like the C63. It must be quite frustrating because of that"
Jeremy: "This is the car I would replace my RS2 with. It ticks all the boxes that the other cars here have failed to for me. But perhaps it's unsurprising that it's the closest thing in spirit to my RS2"
Gareth: "You can really tell it's something special"
Pics: George Williams