RE: New Audi RS4: revealed

[Crackie]

Park'O said:

E38Ross said:

Crackie said:

mat205125 said:

Praise the lord, the normally aspirated engine lives on

but have to agree that

Ved said:

Isn't the torque (317lbs ft) a little underwhelming

for something likely to weigh over 1800 Kg.

Edited by Crackie on Wednesday 15th February 13:04

That's the figure for the last rs4, and that wasn't underwhelming at all because it revved properly and was a decent engine with a good torque curve.

Agreed, Plus Can't see it weighing anymore than the old one @ 1700kg. Unless them new alloy's weigh twice the weight.

An RS5 weighs 1827kg........according to EVO magazines's scales rather than Audi. An RS4 isn't likely to be less is it ??? 174 lb-ft per ton is golf diesel territory, is way down on something like a C63 or Alpina B3S and that makes it underwhelming imho. The in gear times I've seen for the RS5 aren't good, they're in keeping with the car's weight / torque and there's nothing to suggest an RS4 will be any better.

[David87]

This looks quite excellent.

[markwm]

The front bumper is awful, like some max power ford focus.

The B7 is still a better looking car imo. Audi RS styling has gone down hill the last few years, seems like they're still trying to do unstated but they've replaced aggression with tacky styling elements.

[E38Ross]

Crackie said:

An RS5 weighs 1827kg........according to EVO magazines's scales rather than Audi. An RS4 isn't likely to be less is it ??? 174 lb-ft per ton is golf diesel territory, is way down on something like a C63 or Alpina B3S and that makes it underwhelming imho. The in gear times I've seen for the RS5 aren't good, they're in keeping with the car's weight / torque and there's nothing to suggest an RS4 will be any better.

why have you quoted a diesel torque figure? it's totally irrelevant since diesels develop more torque but rev far lower. so what if it produces the same torque as a golf diesel, if it revs 50% higher it'll be producing 50% more power.

bhp/tonne is a better measurement.

agree though on the fact there isn't any reasoning to suggest the RS4 will be much, if any, better than an RS5.....i'd have thought most of the platform is the same, no?

if so...could it be possible the new RS4 cannot take the fight to the almost 5 year old M3?

though the next M3 will likely be about 450bhp too, and most likely a blown 6 pot....that'd be interesting. sad times ahead....

[aston addict]

love the blistered arches - but think the interior looks better on the old RS4. Reminds me of the dash of an old Citroen BX...

[GetCarter]

Crackie said:

174 lb-ft per ton is golf diesel territory,

Last RS4 was +/-235 ...B8 will be about the same (30 more horses but slightly heavier - so I've been told).

I've been driving both 500+ (Caterham) per ton and currently 265 per ton (R8), and obviously the Caterham is much, much quicker - but off the track and in the real world, point to point, there is far less between them than the figures would suggest. It's how the power is put down onto the tarmack that is so impressive in the quattros (especially in adverse conditions and on uneven surfaces... which we have a few of up here!). Much time was spent spinning/slipping wheels in the Seven, until the tyres were really hot.

As mentioned earlier, I have an order in for the B8 RS4. It's to replace my current B8 Quattro as a mobile dog kennel. I'm sure it'll be swift enough for Charlie the dog.

[tommy vercetti]

Is this only going to be available in Avant shape? If so, I don't understand, i'm sure saloons sell better than estates and their better to drive on a track(?). (Yes I know not everyone is going to take them to a track, just saying)

Don't like the front grill on this, too much of it imo, my favourite Audi is the b5 s4 saloon, and not really a fan of Audis. Can't wait till the M3 comes out, show Audi whos the daddy of them all

[GetCarter]

tommy vercetti said:

Is this only going to be available in Avant shape?

Yep - and if they made an M3 tourer 4x4 I'd buy one straight away!

(I've owned two M3s - but HAVE to have 4x4 due to where I live, and estate due to dog!)

[Scuffers]

can't imagine anybody buying an RS4 to take on track, they are just not that kind of car.

back on public roads, they do take a lot of beating, especially when conditions are less than great.

I would not wan to be driving an M3 about over the last 3-4 weeks

[Crackie]

E38Ross said:

Crackie said:

An RS5 weighs 1827kg........according to EVO magazines's scales rather than Audi. An RS4 isn't likely to be less is it ??? 174 lb-ft per ton is golf diesel territory, is way down on something like a C63 or Alpina B3S and that makes it underwhelming imho. The in gear times I've seen for the RS5 aren't good, they're in keeping with the car's weight / torque and there's nothing to suggest an RS4 will be any better.

why have you quoted a diesel torque figure? it's totally irrelevant since diesels develop more torque but rev far lower. so what if it produces the same torque as a golf diesel, if it revs 50% higher it'll be producing 50% more power.

bhp/tonne is a better measurement.

agree though on the fact there isn't any reasoning to suggest the RS4 will be much, if any, better than an RS5.....i'd have thought most of the platform is the same, no?

if so...could it be possible the new RS4 cannot take the fight to the almost 5 year old M3?

though the next M3 will likely be about 450bhp too, and most likely a blown 6 pot....that'd be interesting. sad times ahead....

OK the golf comparison did't help much and hp probably is a better indicator of ultimate pace but my point is that the RS4 will not have the flexibile in gear pace of rivals like the C63 or B3S.

[Cat B Repaired]

The RS5 wasn't much of a looker in promo, but it looks like an absolute beast on the road. Lets Hope The new RS4 follows Suit!

[Ferosferio]

Nice, but not at a patch on the B7 RS4, looks wise anyway.

[NadiR]

stinkysteve said:

Sorry, i meant X6's. quite a rare sight here but perhaps some global markets (china,) as you say, like them.

There seems to be st loads of X6's where I'm living? I also see plenty of X6's when I go to the other side of the city.

[f328nvl]

GetCarter said:

As mentioned earlier, I have an order in for the B8 RS4. It's to replace my current B8 Quattro as a mobile dog kennel. I'm sure it'll be swift enough for Charlie the dog.

Me too, put deposit down a couple of weeks ago. My dogs (Piggle & Smudge) are fans of a normally aspirated V8 (They loved my 89 Vantage) and have often expressed disappointment about the numb feeling of the S4. We did try them in a Gallardo, but they didn't feel comfortable with the available space and attention it attracted. They are only Labrador/Collie crosses, not pedigree, so it may be cultural.

To be honest it had better be damned good or I am sticking with the S4 or getting a C63 AMG. Geneva here I come..

[tommy vercetti]

GetCarter said:

tommy vercetti said:

Is this only going to be available in Avant shape?

Yep - and if they made an M3 tourer 4x4 I'd buy one straight away!

(I've owned two M3s - but HAVE to have 4x4 due to where I live, and estate due to dog!)

Is there any particular reason behind this? Can't see any other maker offering their hot models in one shape only, and would love to see an m3 tourer, even if it is a limited run.

[Adam B]

tommy vercetti said:

Is this only going to be available in Avant shape? If so, I don't understand, i'm sure saloons sell better than estates and their better to drive on a track(?). (Yes I know not everyone is going to take them to a track, just saying)

Track irrelevant, Audi think the S5 sportback covers the saloon base apparently

[Polarbert]

No proper gearbox? Shame.

[Park'O]

Crackie said:

Park'O said:

E38Ross said:

Crackie said:

mat205125 said:

Praise the lord, the normally aspirated engine lives on

but have to agree that

Ved said:

Isn't the torque (317lbs ft) a little underwhelming

for something likely to weigh over 1800 Kg.

Edited by Crackie on Wednesday 15th February 13:04

That's the figure for the last rs4, and that wasn't underwhelming at all because it revved properly and was a decent engine with a good torque curve.

Agreed, Plus Can't see it weighing anymore than the old one @ 1700kg. Unless them new alloy's weigh twice the weight.

An RS5 weighs 1827kg........according to EVO magazines's scales rather than Audi. An RS4 isn't likely to be less is it ??? 174 lb-ft per ton is golf diesel territory, is way down on something like a C63 or Alpina B3S and that makes it underwhelming imho. The in gear times I've seen for the RS5 aren't good, they're in keeping with the car's weight / torque and there's nothing to suggest an RS4 will be any better.

Audi RS5 weighs 1725kg, Audi RS4 B5 weighs 1620kg and the B7 (current) weighs 1710kg. As for the gears, Audi are sticking with the S-Trip only because it's brilliant!

[E38Ross]

GetCarter said:

.....but HAVE to have 4x4 due to where I live....

i realise where you live is a bit more, erm, likely to get bad weather than down south; but my mate said his RS4 is one of the worst cars he's ever driven in the snow, so don't get that 4x4 thing; with these cars i think it comes down to tyre choice a lot more.

he runs pirelli Pzero's IIRC.

[Dave Hedgehog]

Crackie said:

E38Ross said:

Crackie said:

An RS5 weighs 1827kg........according to EVO magazines's scales rather than Audi. An RS4 isn't likely to be less is it ??? 174 lb-ft per ton is golf diesel territory, is way down on something like a C63 or Alpina B3S and that makes it underwhelming imho. The in gear times I've seen for the RS5 aren't good, they're in keeping with the car's weight / torque and there's nothing to suggest an RS4 will be any better.

why have you quoted a diesel torque figure? it's totally irrelevant since diesels develop more torque but rev far lower. so what if it produces the same torque as a golf diesel, if it revs 50% higher it'll be producing 50% more power.

bhp/tonne is a better measurement.

agree though on the fact there isn't any reasoning to suggest the RS4 will be much, if any, better than an RS5.....i'd have thought most of the platform is the same, no?

if so...could it be possible the new RS4 cannot take the fight to the almost 5 year old M3?

though the next M3 will likely be about 450bhp too, and most likely a blown 6 pot....that'd be interesting. sad times ahead....

OK the golf comparison did't help much and hp probably is a better indicator of ultimate pace but my point is that the RS4 will not have the flexibile in gear pace of rivals like the C63 or B3S.

I suspect your right, torque is more relevant 90% of the time in the real world and the S4's blown V6 will be more flexible than the V8