ROAD TEST: Audi RS4

At 150 mph down the long straight at our high-desert testing ground, the ’07 Audi RS 4 performs the same gentle rear-end boogie I remember from an autobahn experience with it in Germany. That particular dance partner was a German model we were testing alongside a BMW and Mercedes-Benz, and all three drivers that day remarked on the peculiar rear-end gyration.

For a car designed and developed within a stone’s throw of the world’s fastest public roads, it’s a strange inconsistency. At the big track at Willow Springs International Motorsports Park in Southern California where Audi staged its stateside introduction, the RS 4 would reach maybe 130 mph down the pit straight. At that speed there was no sign of any tail wiggle. But when you got on the brakes hard for Turn Two, there it was again, the slo-mo shimmy.
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chewy - 8/15/2006 1:26:50 AM

+1 Boost

Keep in mind that they tested the car @ 2,000 feet and in 97 degree heat. C&D are also BMW LOVERS. They did however admit that it kills the current M3.

YZFracer23 - 8/15/2006 1:35:28 AM

0 Boost

C&D is a non-car enthusiast's magazine. Everything in it it is total BS. If the car company paid the mag well, the car will get a great review, if there was no payment made, there will be a test with results less than the actual results. Don't buy or read C&D.

chewy - 8/15/2006 1:40:22 AM

+1 Boost

YZFracer23

I don't really agree, I like C&D, they usually have the best test numbers, they are interesting, but they do have two major flaws. THEY LOVE EVERYTHING WITH THE H ON THE FRONT OR A PROPELLER.

Sauceboy01 - 8/15/2006 2:55:05 AM

-1 Boost

It still boggles my mind as to why you would pay this much money for a car that quite honestly.. well.. looks cheap.

and in the end it's an entry level A4...

Matthew1 - 8/15/2006 3:15:49 AM

+1 Boost

Cheap? Now there's a new one.

Actually seen one in real life, Sauceboy?

There is not one part of this car that looks cheap. From the massive cross-drilled rotors to the carbon-fibre engine bay, this car exudes solidity and insane attention to detail.

I ain't no Audi fanboy, but your silly comments don't sit well with me.

Rupert - 8/15/2006 7:54:22 AM

+2 Boost

sauceboy, you can say exactly the same thing about the m3, or m5. underneath they're just 318s and 520s.

note to bmw fans: don't believe that myself just following sauceboy's logic.

jacques - 8/15/2006 8:25:54 AM

-1 Boost

I commute between the UK and South Africa, in these countries ( and I believe most earopean countries) the M3 is available in CS and CSL Spec. I have not been able to confirm whetehr you guys would have same in the US? The M3 CS is surely a better priced and performing rival to the RS4 and the M3 against the S4? The M3 CSL is without rival in most markets and very expensive, maybe Porche GT3 but that is even more expensive?

PlanoA4 - 8/15/2006 9:10:34 AM

0 Boost

YZFracer23- What magazines do you read? Harpers Bazaar? C&D is a enthusiast publication, maybe not hard core but a decent resource.

razzy23 - 8/15/2006 9:47:32 AM

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its an 75k econo box, plain and simple. it completely excludes character and feel of a BMW

shiftright - 8/15/2006 9:51:02 AM

0 Boost

C&D is a fairly decent enthusiast magazine.
Do not take out the shortcomings of a car on the reporter! And not horrible shortcomings, no car is perfect in every way. Be realistic.

The car does seem a bit over priced. And looking at the rear, it looks VERY MUCH like the latest Honda Civic sedan. Also a wiggle or a shimmy at high speeds does not sound very reassuring for a sports sedan.

The next generation M3 would very likely be a much more complete and compelling package and hopefully for European car enthusiasts it would be priced more realistically as well.

Mark - 8/15/2006 9:52:46 AM

+1 Boost

Econo box? It completely excludes character and feel of a BMW....???

I wonder why?

MAYBE BECAUSE IT'S A FRIPPIN' AUDI YOU IDIOT.

Econo box? How exactly would it be an econo box there O knowledgable one?

AlexTx - 8/15/2006 11:16:19 AM

+3 Boost

Logical: you must not know much then.
I hate posting comments like this, but I'm just tired of just childish comments like these.
I understand if you do not like Audis, but comments like these are not necessary.

IamEvilHomer - 8/15/2006 12:57:36 PM

+2 Boost

razzy23 - and another idiot that has a comment that has not driven the car/

Logical - no one is forceing you to come into the Audi rooms but yet you do to just spout shit. I don't know of any current BMW that is close. Yes there is this vaperware M3 that is to come out and be better but remember the RS4 will go away with the end of the B7 production so you will be compainring the "OLD" RS4 to the new M3.

the new B8 platform starts in 2008 (about the time this M# finaly comes out) I though the M3 was to be out already. To bad Audi anounced the RS4 and the next week BMW "delays" the M3?

Another case of BMW pullout- Hell BMW pulls out more then a guy on a Prom date

shiftright - 8/15/2006 1:43:21 PM

0 Boost

efoxS4, please relax and contemplate the FACT that the two rear ends look very similar. Which came first and which came second is not something I commented on or care to comment on....

Your profanity makes you look bad....it is not empowering, it is rather self degrading....I thought you to be above it but perhaps I was mistaken.....

Rupert - 8/15/2006 5:27:07 PM

+1 Boost

the civic saloon isn't available in europe, so audi doesn't need to worry too much about the rear lights looking like it.
if they do at all.

razzy23 - 8/15/2006 5:41:45 PM

0 Boost

IAMEVILHOMER-----first of all, CHILL OUT. I wish there was a 4 door M3 again, so that it would piss on the audi liek the coupe will. Also remember that the E46 M3 has been around since 1999. I wish i could meet you so we could discuss this in person.

razzy23 - 8/15/2006 5:43:21 PM

-1 Boost

Also, has anyone of you seen the latest video where the E60 M5 spanks the shit out of the RS4 econobox?? Im talking "spanked"!!!!

RefuG - 8/15/2006 5:55:23 PM

+2 Boost

Homer "Another case of BMW pullout- Hell BMW pulls out more then a guy on a Prom date", haha, bet you this brings back memories. Im not a big fan of Audi, but everyone needs to calm down and accept the fact that this is one amazing car.

G

RefuG - 8/15/2006 6:01:52 PM

+2 Boost

razzy, if im not mistaken E46 M3 came out as 2001 year model, not 99.

G

razzy23 - 8/15/2006 6:14:58 PM

0 Boost

well, you are mistaken. if you follw BMW like i do (fanatically) then you will know that it came out in europe as a 1999 model and 2000 in the US.
Did you know that the current 5 Series is circa 2003? I bet not!!! So careful with the replies.

Rupert - 8/15/2006 6:56:54 PM

+2 Boost

m3 came out in 2001, the 3 series in 99.

the m5 and rs4 are in different classes.

the audi a4 came out in 2002.
facelifted in 2005.
rs4 is therefore based on a 2002 chassis, only 3 years different from a 3 series.

RefuG - 8/15/2006 7:43:21 PM

+3 Boost

You're a fool razzy. You call yourself a "fanatic" and dont have clue when E46 M3 came out. Im guessin 23 that comes after razzy is your personal I.Q. And by tha way who even asked you to comment on current 5 series, not me, so that makes you fool times 2.

G

IamEvilHomer - 8/15/2006 10:55:35 PM

+3 Boost

well razzy23 the RS4 is build on a car that came out in 2001 as a 2002 so what is your point. We razzy23 I live and work in Los Angeles and would love to have you come "discuss" what ever you want - 001 has been to my work and I give him premission to let you know where I work. So now what?

Continue to worry about little old Audi. Continue to come to the Audi rooms and let us all see how worried you are that Audi could be a real company.

You don't see me in the Saab rooms, or Volvo rooms, or Ford rooms. I guess the BM

BMW fans that always hang out in the room are conserned about something. HHUUUMM.

Anyway I have a 2005 S4 that I have matrix downpipes, labree exaust, coilovers, cold air intake and GIAC. The car was clocked at 12.9 109 1/2 mile and 4.7 0-60 and I am humbled when I get in the RS4.

8 piston floting Brambo front, and brambo rear, Dynamic struts, 420hp, much lighter then my S4, great sounding exaust, engine that revs well over 8k (remember this is a V8)

Please just give credit where credit is due. The RS4 is one of the best sportscars ever made under 100k and I am sure waiting to drive the M3 when BMW catches up next year.

of course Audi will be on to the S6 S8 R8 Q5 Q7v10, new A4, A5m new cabrio, and all the new TDI's world by then

The RS4 is not designed to compete with the M3 / The M3 is a 3 door that 16 year old Korean kids love to drive.

The M5 is compitaion to the RS6 not the RS4. I just heard everyone telling me how the RS4 was to expencive now it is an econobox?

Razzy relax you can still like BMW even though Audi comes out with a good car or 2

IamEvilHomer - 8/15/2006 11:03:01 PM

+3 Boost

remember the RS4 is not a major production car that you will see for several years/ i bet we get one or 2 years/ by then the new S4 should be out with similar numbers on the new B8 platform. From the inside sources at Audi the S and RS models will not come so late in future product cycles

Rupert - 8/16/2006 9:28:23 AM

+1 Boost

iamevil homer, you know 001? i heard he can start cars just by thinking about it, and change a manual just by looking at it. apparently sat-navs go mad in his presence and he becomes north....
how do you know him?
and if you don't mind me asking, what do you work as?

IamEvilHomer - 8/16/2006 1:08:47 PM

+2 Boost

Rupert - Sales Manager (guess the franchise)
yes he got a few Audis from me

Mromar- What a shift that you have a choice

stand up and spend the $$$ or settle for the MB

If you know the history of Audi in America that is a big shift

Rupert - 8/16/2006 3:40:04 PM

+1 Boost

why did i ask your job? i knew already.
bleaurgh must-get-brain-in-gear.

BM3W - 8/16/2006 5:16:45 PM

+1 Boost

The RS4 is a superb vehicle that performs wonderfully. The problem I see for this cars future is the price tag. It's just expensive for an A4 model.

Rupert - 8/16/2006 6:31:10 PM

+2 Boost

of course a sl65 amg isn't expensive for an sl?
it's what, 3 times the price of a sl-350?
the rs4 is expensive, but an m3 is expensive compared to say a 318.
the next m3 will probably be more than the current one.
they'll sell them no matter what they cost.

MunichRob - 8/17/2006 2:09:22 AM

+1 Boost

The new Audi RS4 is considerably priceir than the current M3, and is sure to be just as priceir than the new one.

Also if you ask me, the M5 competes more with the S6 and not the RS6 because the current S6 & M5 are very close in price.

MunichRob - 8/17/2006 2:09:22 AM

+1 Boost