Why are all RS4'S now avants or estate?

[Robbie_FRS]

Hi guys. Just wondering if someone could give me the lowdown on the RS4. When it originally came out it was available as a coupe. Now when I look I can only find the coupes second hand at around 2008 MY and then all subsequent Seems to be the estate version. Has there been some sort of stop in production of the coupe RS4?

It's something I'd consider second hand but not really in the estate format.

Cheers.

[Kaelic]

Yeah the B8 version is only available as avant unfortunately

Still a great car

[worsy]

Coupe version is the RS5

[dc2rr07]

I thought the RS4 was either a Saloon or Avant, as above the coupe is the RS5.

[silentbrown]

No such beast as an RS4 coupe, past, present and probably future.

B7 RS4 had Saloons, Avants and Convertibles (2006-2008)
B8 RS4 are all Avants
B9 ...?

RS5 is the closest you'll get.

[Robbie_FRS]

My apologies! I am talking about the saloon! Not coupe!

If I want an RS4 saloon am I right in thinking 2009 is the newest I can get?

Why did they stop making them?

[Terminator X]

It had a great engine and terrific handling. That would not do of course so Audi killed it off!

TX.

[Murph7355]

Robbie_FRS said:

My apologies! I am talking about the saloon! Not coupe!

If I want an RS4 saloon am I right in thinking 2009 is the newest I can get?

Why did they stop making them?

No. 2008 allegedly, but I suspect you might struggle getting newer than 2007.

Demand I imagine. Plus everyone knows it's not a proper RS4 unless it's an Avant. In Sprint Blue.

[Dr G]

The last saloons were made in 2007 but the vast majority are 2006 cars. Possibly a few late registered ones around.

Is a B8 S4 an option? They were available as a saloon and with a manual box for a long while (if that's what you want); getting RS4 power is very easy too.

[worsy]

Murph7355 said:

Robbie_FRS said:

My apologies! I am talking about the saloon! Not coupe!

If I want an RS4 saloon am I right in thinking 2009 is the newest I can get?

Why did they stop making them?

No. 2008 allegedly, but I suspect you might struggle getting newer than 2007.

Demand I imagine. Plus everyone knows it's not a proper RS4 unless it's an Avant. In Sprint Blue.

As Dr G says. 2008 were the last of the soft tops.

[NBirkitt]

The tradition for high-performance Avants seems to go back to the RS 2

The B5 RS 4 was also an Avant ( bi-turbo V6 )

( There was no B6 RS 4 )

B7 RS 4 was available as Avant, Saloon and Cabriolet ( nasp 4.2 V8 )

Then back to Avant for B8 RS 4

It will be interesting to see what body styles the next RS 4 comes as...

[Kell]

There used to be a time when Audi RS models were ONLY available as Avants.

The RS2 and the B5 RS4 set the trend in the early days. The only (not quite as) fast saloon versions were the S models.

I have no evidence to support this, but I suspect there may have been a gentleman's agreement between Audi and BMW.

Audi covered the fast estate market and BMW covered the fast saloon portion.

Maybe BMW's plans to build the M5 Touring on the E61 platform might have made Audi change their mind. Or maybe everything I've typed is rubbish.

[Dr G]

Kell said:

I have no evidence to support this, but I suspect there may have been a gentleman's agreement between Audi and BMW.

It goes back originally to Porsche who when developing the RS2 wanted to ensure it was a very different product to anything they offered (hence estate only).

I imagine now it's more to do with marketing and profitability. The stupid-fast saloon is a slightly odd market with the overtly sporting buyer wanting a coupe (or coupe-esque car) and the "family/lifestyle man" wanting an estate.