AUTO SPIES WORLD EXCLUSIVE-First shots in the US of the Audi RS4-Part 2

Weight distribution:

The RS4's weight distribution is 55/45 front/rear. That is considerably more balanced than the stock A4, but not as good as the M3. Audi will engineer perfect weight distribution into their forcoming B8 platform, which is based on a completely new quattro torsen technology.

As far as competing with the M3. I haven't driven the RS4 yet (invitaton-only press right now), but according to all the European car magazines I've read, the Audi easily surpassed the M3 in practically all areas (straight-line, handling, torque spread, engine refinement, raw horsepower, power-to-weight ratio, shift ratios, road-holding and traction, practicality, interior quality, exterior styling).

Only one American magizine has had a chance to test the RS4 directly against the M3 (Car & Driver), but no performance data was made available due to the Audi being a pre-release test vehicle (only Audi's conservative numbers were given as a placeholder). Yet, the magazine also favored the RS4 over the M3.

When the new E90 BMW M3 comes out next year with its V8, it will possibly take the title back from Audi. But this will be challenged once again a year later by the completely new 500 bhp Audi RS5 coupe.

Dismissing Audi's obvious success in the high performance arena is silly, ignorant, and basically outdated at this point. Just as silly as dismissing BMW.

...and the horsepower war rages on....