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2007 Audi RS 4: Triple Crown Winner
Listen up. If you do not appreciate raw speed and power, then visit another Web site! What I am about to introduce to you is something US soil has never experienced before. I am speaking of the new Audi RS 4 high-performance sedan. For a while as I was driving through the twisty roads of southern California, all I could say was damn! Those of you that know Audi have an idea of where I am going with this. With European luxury, German performance, and greatly improved quality, the Audi RS 4 is the new “Triple Crown” winner.
Audi has been building “RS” models of its vehicles since 1994 with the RS 2 Avant (wagon) and again in 2000-2001 with the RS 4 Avant. Most recently (2003), the super RS 6 was available for a short production run. Aside from the RS 6, the best we could get here in the States were the Audi “S” models, which were a “step up” in performance and great in their own right. But then the RS 4 is like the genetically engineered sibling whose powers are well above ordinary.
 Let’s get into the best part of this story the actual drive of the car. To showcase the RS 4’s capabilities, Audi chose the Willow Springs road race course near Pasadena, California. Though street tamed and ready for everyday driving experiences, Willow Springs was the perfect setting to get to know the heart and soul of the RS 4. Hey, Germans have the Autobahn to get to know their vehicles, Americans have racetracks that allow us to open up engines and see what’s good under the hood. This time I got to know an all-aluminum 4.2-liter V8 engine producing 420-horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Of course, Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system contributed heavily to the RS 4’s handling prowess.
With the RS 4, Audi is staking its claim for the title the BMW M3 and Mercedes C55 AMG battle for the best high-performance premium compact sedan. Only the strong shall apply for this mission, for the RS 4 will expose your fears if you have any. The exhaust growl on the RS 4 will tip you off to what’s in store. If I had the nerve of NASCAR’s African-American driver Bill Lester, I would have had the RS 4 at the top governed speed of 155 mph. Instead I only got up to 140 mph in 4th gear! Audi claims a 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds which I thoroughly believe. RS 4 even has an ‘S’ button for Sport Mode, which will quicken throttle response and give off a sportier growl, like it needs it!
 An interesting fact of the A4 line is that if you line up the A4, S4, and RS 4, you would see these cars get progressively sexier and tougher as you climb up the ladder. They all share the signature Audi wide mouth grille, but that is where most similarities end. RS 4 only shares the hood, front doors and roofline with its A4 sibling. The rest of the aggressive lines and body attributes like front-rear bumpers, fenders and wheel flares, and trunk with integrated spoiler are exclusive to the RS 4. Its ride height is also lower by 1.2” than the A4.
Inside the RS 4 you’ll find what you’ve come to expect from one of the world leaders in automotive interiors. Fit and finish was tight, the dash was black and opulent, gauges were red and blue, and the RS 4 branded leather bucket seats are supportive in aggressive driving situations. The seats are heated, but can also cool your buns when hitting the streets on warm days.
 Other attributes of the RS 4 include dynamic ride control which reduces body roll, an electronic stability program with traction-control, and a huge brake system with NACA ducting that keeps brakes cool under all conditions. The RS 4 comes standard with 19” wheels, sunroof, rear “Parktronic” parking assist, bi-xenon adaptive headlights, a lap timer and more. A premium package is also available that includes navigation, Bose sound system, Sirius Satellite Radio, Bluetooth connectivity, heated rear seats, and rear side airbags.
This month, the RS 4 will go on sale for the first time in US dealerships and Audi expects them to fly off of showroom floors just as fast as the fly on the road. MSRP on the RS 4 is $66,000, with another $4,700 for the premium package. Add an additional $720 destination and a $2,100 gas-guzzler charge and you have an RS 4 all for yourself. If you are thinking that over $70K for a compact sedan is excessive, you are not who this car was designed for. Those that buy the Audi RS 4 know exactly what they are doing and will appreciate every penny spent while driving it.
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