Audi's legendary Quattro all-wheel-drive works in sync with the sport tuned suspension to keep power planted firmly to the road. Originally
developed for racing, the Quattro system has the ability to direct all of the engines power to either axle as required for maximum grip. For normal driving, a 60/40 split is favored between the rear and front wheels. The end result is that you don't drive this car so much as you aim it: point the steering wheel, squeeze the throttle and it gingerly goes exactly where you point. For a race-ready suspension, the ride is impressively comfortable and quiet. You can feel the road, but it's never jarring or uncomfortable. The steering is precise, more heavy than light and offers plenty of feedback.
Push too hard and you can play with a touch of oversteer in the corners without having to disable the ESP system. It's well calibrated to let you actually drive the machine, and only steps in if you've stepped out too far. It can be completely disabled as well.
With the huge engine, huge brakes and asphalt-shredding suspension, the RS 4 is set to tackle the decathlon of automotive performance--and it's going straight after the gold.
But I can nearly hear you thinking that if it's this much of an athlete, it must be horribly compromised in some way. That's generally not the case. Its not a huge car, so five full-grown adults on board is going to make for a tight fit. You don't waft into this car like in bigger Audis; you carefully deposit yourself into the leather sport seats and get strapped in. Once settled, it's comfortable--almost relaxing. The stereo is fantastic, the visibility is great, and the carbon fibre and Nappa leather trimmed interior is gorgeous. There is a sunroof, visors for the rear passengers, and adequate storage, topped off by a deceptively large trunk. My only complaint of the interior is the confusing climate control system. It looks like Star Trek (and I love Star Trek), but leaves me wanting a few simple dials.
But, alas, it is a race car at heart. It protests when you drive it slowly--lurching, clanking and bucking around as if you were holding its leash too tightly. Low-rev gearshifts can be rough, and the clutch is a bit fussy, and it's a bit noisy too. But the hardware that shines when you drive fast also makes the RS 4 better as an all-around machine. Adaptive lighting, self-drying, slotted brakes, all-wheel drive, and active suspension all help drivers safely make use of the power, while some of the most advanced safety features in the world make it perform well in the unfortunate case of an accident.
It's got all of the goodies to make a long trip comfortable and safe, and all of the hardware to make it quick. There is even a built-in lap timer.
Remember too that the RS 4 is all about extremes, but so is Canada, really. Look at our climate for instance. Unlike some fussy, low-riding supercars, you can drive the RS 4 in the winter. Worried about rust? Audi has you covered for 12 years. And not that it matters, but it's really not that hard on fuel as far as a 420-horsepower engine is concerned. Combined city and highway driving over the course of my 2,500 kilometre test averaged about 12.5 litres per 100 kilometres, though amazingly I achieved as little as 9.6 litres per 100 kilometres on the highway, at a sustained 120 km/h.
Pricing starts at $94,000--reasonable indeed for your own rocket ship.
What's Hot:
Power, power and more power, exhaust note like an offshore fishing boat, massive brakes, impeccable build quality, magnificent lighting
Concerns:
Limited space for average-sized passengers in rear, knee room, lurches in slow traffic, climate controls, I can't afford one
 |
| (Photo: Justin Pritchard) |
Push too hard and you can play with a touch of oversteer in the corners without having to disable the ESP system. It's well calibrated to let you actually drive the machine, and only steps in if you've stepped out too far. It can be completely disabled as well.
 |
| (Photo: Justin Pritchard) |
But I can nearly hear you thinking that if it's this much of an athlete, it must be horribly compromised in some way. That's generally not the case. Its not a huge car, so five full-grown adults on board is going to make for a tight fit. You don't waft into this car like in bigger Audis; you carefully deposit yourself into the leather sport seats and get strapped in. Once settled, it's comfortable--almost relaxing. The stereo is fantastic, the visibility is great, and the carbon fibre and Nappa leather trimmed interior is gorgeous. There is a sunroof, visors for the rear passengers, and adequate storage, topped off by a deceptively large trunk. My only complaint of the interior is the confusing climate control system. It looks like Star Trek (and I love Star Trek), but leaves me wanting a few simple dials.
 |
| (Photo: Justin Pritchard) |
It's got all of the goodies to make a long trip comfortable and safe, and all of the hardware to make it quick. There is even a built-in lap timer.
Remember too that the RS 4 is all about extremes, but so is Canada, really. Look at our climate for instance. Unlike some fussy, low-riding supercars, you can drive the RS 4 in the winter. Worried about rust? Audi has you covered for 12 years. And not that it matters, but it's really not that hard on fuel as far as a 420-horsepower engine is concerned. Combined city and highway driving over the course of my 2,500 kilometre test averaged about 12.5 litres per 100 kilometres, though amazingly I achieved as little as 9.6 litres per 100 kilometres on the highway, at a sustained 120 km/h.
Pricing starts at $94,000--reasonable indeed for your own rocket ship.
What's Hot:
Power, power and more power, exhaust note like an offshore fishing boat, massive brakes, impeccable build quality, magnificent lighting
Concerns:
Limited space for average-sized passengers in rear, knee room, lurches in slow traffic, climate controls, I can't afford one
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