Audi launches M3-slayer
Gunning for BMW's icon with 414bhp V8-powered RS4 quattro
Audi is launching the all-new, naturally aspirated, 414bhp V8-powered RS4 quattro in Geneva next week. It's the first time in almost 20 years that Audi hasn't turbocharged its high end motor, and looks like giving the 343bhp BMW M3 a run for its money. What's more, the Audi delivers 241bhp per tonne, against the M3's 224bhp per tonne.
This evolution of the widely 
acclaimed RS 4 quattro will dominate the Audi stand at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show (3 - 13 March), and Audi promises numerous advances including an unprecedented combination of eight-cylinder power and FSI direct petrol injection and a new generation of quattro four-wheel-drive technology.
At the heart of the RS 4 quattro is a naturally aspirated 4.2-litre V8 FSI petrol engine that delivers 414bhp and maximum torque 
of 317lb-ft at 5,500rpm; 90 per cent of this peak is available from 2,250rpm all the way to 7,600rpm, reckons Audi, although the free revving unit can power on to 8,250rpm. The 0-62mph sprint is dispatched in just 4.8 seconds, 124mph from rest on a suitable Autobahn can be seen in only 16.6 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph is easily achievable.
FSI direct petrol injection, which cut its teeth in the V8-powered Audi R8 Le Mans racers before filtering into four and six-cylinder Audi road cars, appears for 
the first time in a road-going Audi V8, helping to maximise both performance and efficiency through even more effective and accurate fuel combustion.
Numerous special measures ensure that this remarkable new engine is not only safely contained but also given the freest rein possible. For maximum exploitation of its potential, a Sports Button mounted within the steering wheel enables the driver to adjust the throttle control mapping to give even sharper throttle response when required. The Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) has also been reprogrammed to intervene later and for a shorter period than it normally would in a standard A4, ensuring that control is always maintained but driving satisfaction is maximised.
In addition, special care has been taken to avoid dulling the performance through excess weight. An impressive power-to-weight ratio of 241bhp per tonne has been achieved through the extensive use of aluminium for normally heavy items such as the suspension, bonnet and front wings, combined with other detail changes including the use of ultra-light RS bucket seats with electrically inflatable side supports.
Sitting 30mm lower than a standard A4, and with a wider front and rear track, the new RS 4 quattro is equipped to deliver highly rewarding handling without the ‘heart-in-mouth’ moments to which some high-powered super cars can be prone. A new evolution of the renowned quattro four-wheel-drive system able to transfer a larger proportion of torque between front and rear axles, makes for even more adjustable cornering behaviour. The system works in conjunction with Dynamic Ride Control, an electronically governed, mechanical damping system adopted from the RS 6 quattro.
DRC connects shock absorbers on each side of the car diagonally to their counterparts by way of a central valve, which directs a flow of oil to provide additional damping force whenever a shock absorber is compressed, making for impressive gains in handling precision and stability.
Riding on unique 19-inch alloy wheels framing immensely capable 18-inch disc brakes, and fronted by the latest Audi single frame grille, the attention-grabbing body of the new RS 4 quattro cloaks an equally dramatic interior. Its tapered sports steering wheel, RS bucket seats and engine starter button combine with extensive carbon fibre trim to add more than a touch of racing car purpose without diluting the comfort, quality and exceptional attention to detail for which Audi interior design is renowned.
Pricing and full specification for right-hand-drive versions of the new RS 4 quattro, which will be available in both saloon and Avant estate body styles (Avant from 2006), will be announced closer to its UK launch in spring 2005, ahead of first customer deliveries in autumn 2005.
burwoodman said:
16.6 to 124mph-doesn't sound that quick to me. Whatever Audi do with this BMW will ensure they out do them with the new M3.
Unlikely that the new M3 will top the RS4 for power, would think the new V8 is more or less fixed at 400bhp@7750rpm with two cylinders knocked off the M5 powerplant. Got to remember that the last RS4 was more powerful and more expensive that the M3 anyway - 380bhp.
Forgot to add.....the M3 is a gorgeous looking car. The Audi looks like a modernised pig (rounder you see....) Just my opinion.
>> Edited by beanbag on Friday 25th February 11:51
Looks nice: Power doesn't equate to driver involvement so will have to see what testers think.
Audi still can't make sports cars: winning LMP cars and uber autobahn wagons but not sport cars - unless it has a bull on the bonnet and that has sth to do woth the wee fellows at St Agata.
Rpm of 8250rpm likely max safety limit and I wouldn't be surprised production models closer to 8000. Audi stil can;t hit the 100bhp/p litre output - yet BMW one of the few mass producers who can get close to Ferrari, TVR and Porsche in such matters.
Next M3 expected to scream to, 8200+, which it can do as it's pretty much exactly as square as the 5 litre V10.
No doubt though that it's all getting closer and in the wet the Audi easily has it.
beanbag said:
Hardly an M3 beater. It's got a bigger engine and has 4 doors. More like an attempt at the M5....but failed, so we'll call it an M3 beater....
Forgot to add.....the M3 is a gorgeous looking car. The Audi looks like a modernised pig (rounder you see....) Just my opinion.
wot 'e sed! really find that audi corporate grill offensive to the eye.
beanbag said:
Hardly an M3 beater. It's got a bigger engine and has 4 doors. More like an attempt at the M5....but failed, so we'll call it an M3 beater....
Forgot to add.....the M3 is a gorgeous looking car. The Audi looks like a modernised pig (rounder you see....) Just my opinion.
>> Edited by beanbag on Friday 25th February 11:51
IMHO it is compared to the M3 because they are both the same size, the M5 would be compared to the RS6.
Bigger engine and 4 doors = more useable, I'll take mine as an Avant please.
I always thought they were more unique and directed at a unique market when they were avant only.
In cars like this, character is added my giving them down sides. Ie, avant, laggy turbo's but overall, huge power and performance.
Now it's just competing in the same market as the M3 and Merc's, and so it will loose out.
Before the RS models were in a market of their own, which was cool.
Not so sure about them now
Would have prefered an S4 to look and have the same engine as that, but the RS4 should have been an estate only with the RS6 engine in it and DSG...
Hmmm
Dave
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