When it comes to Audi, It’s the high performance models that carry the RS badging.

We tested the new RS4 Avant, now in its fourth generation, taking a closer look at some of the innovations made to it.

What normally matters in a station wagon are things like practicality and functionality. But not with the RS4 Avant.

For an RS4, the only things that really count are performance and the pleasure you derive from it. The station wagon sports version looks back on a long and successful history.

Under the hood

The RS4 is based on the legendary Avant RS2. The first generation was powered by a 6 cylinder engine but the second and third by an 8 cylinder.

Now for the fourth generation, downsizing is the word, taking it back to a V6. But it’s a 330 kW or 450 horsepower Twin-Turbo engine, putting out 600 N M of torque.

It’s safe to say that this amounts to a fast car, by any standard.

Performance

The RS4 Avant moves from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.1 seconds, with the top speed capped at 250 or an optional 280 km/h.

The car also features a sports exhaust with active flaps that make for a calmer, quieter ride.

The driver can also choose between different modes while driving. These include Comfort, Dynamic, Auto or Individual, whatever suits the driver’s personal taste.

For Dynamic and Individual, the exhaust flaps are opened, producing a louder sound.

An 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission passes on the power to the 20 inch wheels.

Even with these big rims and relatively less rubber between them and the road, an optional air lift performance suspension makes the RS4 supremely comfortable.

The RS4 is so well balanced in the curves that accelerating out of them is no problem, thanks to the Quattro All-Wheel drive and plenty of traction.

Design and interior

The design can be described as elegant yet aggressively sporty. The honeycomb grill easily air cools the 2.9 litre engine.

Sitting inside, you’d hardly think you were in a sports car were it not for details like the RS logos.

The materials are high quality and the workmanship clean. Buttons on the steering wheel make the infotainment system easy to operate.

Verdict

Overall, the RS4 is a fabulous car. Everything is right, the suspension, the performance, the workmanship.

There really aren’t any complaints, as one would expect from a car that starts at nearly 80,000 EURO.

The new Audi RS4 Avant is no bargain by any means and once you start adding options, the price can swiftly rise above 100,000 EURO.

This content has been published in partnership with Deutsche Welle (DW).