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Written by Colin Rear
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Saturday, 23 January 2010 11:17 |
When I put in a request to our Fleet Management for some test cars, I included a couple of Audi models. WHen Audi UK phoned me, a little puzzles as they said that it appeared I had a request an S4, which was now obsolete, after I clarified my requirements, they asked if l also would like to test an RS4. As if they needed to ask! So, that is how I was able to borrow an RS4 for the weekend ............... The test is over now, and I have to say that I am really very disappointed!
Now come on, you don't really expect me to say that it was the car that disappointed me, do you? No, the problem is that conversations with the Audi Dealership last week revealed that the Avant is also no longer orderable, and there are precsiely no RS4 saloons or Avants left in the dealer network, or en route to the UK. So, as far as the rules of our Car Scheme are concerned, I simply cannot have one of these cars. And my disappointment is that after driving one for the weekend, I have no doubt that it would have been just perfect! Indeed, it is not hyperbole to say that the car is pretty much perfect! About the only thing I did not like was the shiny pretend metal bit on the bottom of the steering wheel! I could live with the very cheap nasty twang made by the noise of closing the boot lid (it sounded very different from the S4!). Otherwise, this is just a stunning car. It takes all that is good about my S4 - which in my opinion is virtually all of it - and smooths out the rather hard ride and then adds a just astonishing engine. Not only does it sound glorious from the moment you press the "start" button, but it continues to sound glorious, at various decibels, all the way to the red line. You might have thought that an extra 71 bhp over the regular S4 would be not that noticeable. Well, I can assure you it is!
However, I was pleased to discover that the car still cruises beautifully on the motorway, and at a steady speed, it did not seem unduly thirstier than the S4, either! All the good bits of the inside are retained. So much simpler than the slightly fussy look to the new A4, with a lot of very subtle differences to the S4. My test car had S4 style seats, but the tray under the driver's seat did not slide, but had a front lid, for instance. Being posher than my NFG S4 (standard spec! - ed), there's an Audi MMI system, so there is no computer button on the wiper stalk, and there is a little less oddment space in the centre console, as the combined MMI and stereo fills all the space.
 
This is a practical car, though, with ample space, and a decent boot (yes, even super cars get the "here's the photo of the boot" treatment!).
 
You don't get a spare wheel, though, as the under-boot area is taken up with a large battery, but there is some more oddment space under here.
I still think that Audi got the styling just right here. Unless you hear the engine running - when there is a rather big aural clue - you have to do a double take to spot the changes over the S4 (and the s-Line, for that matter), which is something I rather appreciate. A few people - including some "youffs" in a Micra who performed a dodgy manoeuvre at the bottom of the M32 late on Sunday evening spotted it instantly, and pointed excitedly out of their window, but it is not the same attention grabber say as an M3, let alone a Subaru or an Evo.
   
So, with more than some regret, I parked it up in the office basement car park last night, and handed in the keys. The S4 is a good car, but the RS4 is unquestionnably a great car!
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Last Updated on Saturday, 23 January 2010 19:05 |
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