THE sport sedan

Rarity

Audi just created a masterpiece in the face of its German rivals. On Audi's side, not all cars bear the 'RS' designation. They must basically feature all

2007 Audi RS 4 (Photo: Amyot Bachand)

the best qualities for the engineers of the Quattro GmbH group, the equivalent of AMG for Mercedes and M for BMW, to spend time on.

The Audi A4 showed all the basic qualities that the engineers could still improve upon, and create a sport sedan in a class of its own. Everything was touched up: engine, chassis, suspension, brakes and transmission. Tweaked and produced in Audi's headquarters, the A4 and S4 are then sent to the specialists who change them into RS 4 sedans, after tearing them apart and rebuilding them.

Brief history

Audi produced their first RS models in 1994: the front-drive RS2 with a turbocharged 5-cylinder engine. Then came the RS 4 with a 380-hp

2007 Audi RS 4 (Photo: Amyot Bachand)

twin-turbo V6 in 2000 and 2001, and a RS 6 from 2002 to 2004, powered by a 450-hp twin-turbo V8.

Technological showcase

By creating the RS, Audi seeks to show off its sport and performance brilliance, and obviously uses the technological development acquired with their racing success. Audi's successive victories at the 24 hours of Le Mans and other endurance races truly prove the German firm's engineering quality.

Widened track

We easily notice the stance of the RS by looking at the rear tires. We immediately see that Quattro GmbH widened the front and rear track,

2007 Audi RS 4 (Photo: Amyot Bachand)

allowing a better reach of the magnificent 19-inch wheels and Pirelli P Zero tires.

In addition, the suspension was lowered by 30 millimeters. A dynamic ride control is added to better-calibrated shocks that reduce pitch and body roll by diagonally interconnecting the shocks with a central valve. Both front wheels are guided by four transversal aluminum arms. What's more, Quattro GmbH meticulously adapted the latest-generation electronic stability program (ESP) to the specific characteristics of this high-performance sport sedan.

Modified body

Other than the RS 4 and V8 badges, the car remains an A4 in appearance. But when we pay close attention, though, we notice a series of changes

2007 Audi RS 4 (Photo: Amyot Bachand)

associated with the sporty stature of the beast. The lower portion of the front features air vents to allow the engine to breathe better and cool the brakes.

In back, a spoiler is discreetly integrated to the trunk.

The designers also revised the rear doors to accommodate the larger wheel arches.

Nothing cosmetics, all for performance; so, the mirrors are streamlined. The weight of the car had to be reduced: even the door handles are lighter. The hood and front fenders are made of aluminum. The RS 4 sports a power-to-weight ratio of 3.93 kg per horsepower.Heart on steroids

And to power this sport sedan, Quattro GmbH dropped an all-aluminum 4.2-liter V8 in the engine bay; it develops 420 horsepower and 319

2007 Audi RS 4 (Photo: Amyot Bachand)

pound-feet of torque, which represents about 115 hp per liter.

At the slightest solicitation, the car leaps forward. The V8 is coupled to an excellent 6-speed manual gearbox, the only one offered by the manufacturer. In my opinion, however, the best feature is combining all this with the latest generation of the Quattro system.

The power distribution reaches 60% at the rear and 40% in front, which gives the RS 4 a superb sporty balance and very little understeer. This full-time system includes an asymmetrically dynamic torque split and uses a Torsen centre differential.

Exceptional brakes

2007 Audi RS 4 (Photo: Amyot Bachand)

To stop such a machine, the engineers fitted it with oversize vented and cross-drilled discs: 14-inchers in front with 8-piston callipers, and 12.5 inches in back with 2-piston callipers. I can attest to their efficiency; in fact, twice during our testing, me and fellow journalist Sylvain Raymond avoided deers on the road thanks to the brakes' performance and the chassis' superb rigidity.

Comfortable interior

Like any sports car fit for this name, you sit comfortably, and lateral

2007 Audi RS 4 (Photo: Amyot Bachand)

support is very good. Controls fall easily in hand, but the armrest must be raised and nothing should be put in the cupholders, as they can get in the way. You have a choice of carbon fiber, aluminum or wood. The audio system is excellent, but you won't have time to listen to it. You can order a navigation system, and that's about it. What really impressed us is the comfort of the interior despite being on bad Quebec roads on which we tested the RS 4. It's a civilized sports car that few can boast being. It's one or the other.

Beast on the road and on the track

We had the opportunity to test this car on a variety of roads and surfaces; the RS 4 incredibly sticks to the road, tracks easily in curves and

2007 Audi RS 4 (Photo: Amyot Bachand)

accelerates in record time, especially in passing times. At any moment, I felt safe. I knew that the car would go where I wanted it to. It's the limits of the surface and road visibility that guided our driving. I would've liked to push the car on a track, but the driving experience that we had allowed us to bring the car to its limits, and ours. Let's talk performance: we blasted from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 and 5.8 seconds. I hate wasting a clutch to get an additional half-second. However, by using the 2nd and 3rd gears, I accelerated from 80 to 120 km/h in just 3.3 seconds, compared to 4.3 seconds while staying in 3rd. Top speed is factory-limited to 252 km/h.Perfect balance

2007 Audi RS 4 (Photo: Amyot Bachand)

Here's how I sum up the RS 4: muscle, fun, security, handling, comfort and room for the family. I considered the BMW M3 as one of the best sedans in the world, but I now tip my hat to Audi. With their Quattro system, the RS 4 takes the lead; in rain and in gravel, it keeps its path. I'd opt for the silver one, more discreet than the blue, yellow and red models. Two problems, though: it costs $94,700, and the number of units in Canada is limited to only 100. Practical perfection has a price.