Get social with me on twitter and Instagram @DanielCalbacho

 

So, you know how on Insta there are these before and after pics of the Kardashian-Jenner clan?  It’s amazing what these aesthetic doctors can do with Botox, fillers and their other clever aesthetic tools and tricks for sculpting and enhancing. Ponder for a moment about the baby Jenner, Kylie. Considered pretty by most as a pre-procedure teen vs. her bold dramatic look now. Her features are enhanced with fuller lips, jawline and cheeks. These tweaks have elevated her into a Marvel vixen.

I use this analogy when looking at Audi’s RS 4 Avant. This is a menacing motor machine. Bold, enticing and alluring. Curvaceous in all the right places, the RS 4 Avant sits low to the road while its bodywork hugs its four low and very wide tyres. Garnished to strike a pose, the RS 4 Avant is fitted with beautiful Audi Sport design elements that complete its look. These include Carbon exterior mirror housings that extend to the rear and front bumpers and side skirting, decorative inserts in Carbon Twill, red brake calipers and other glossy black details. Note – these extra bits are optional and eye-wateringly pricey – like an extra R100 000.00. But the finished product is a thing of beauty.

The RS 4 Avant is a cult car that has a history which harks back over 20 years to the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO. The concept of a sports car housed in a highly practical family wagon is ironic albeit a slice of magical motoring. I’m a fan of the concept both in the RS 4 and RS 6 Avant.

Like the RS 5 Coupe and Sportback, the RS 4 Avant shares a lot of the Audi Sport bits and pieces; not forgetting the MQB platform that underpins all Audi A3, A4 and A5 products.

The RS 4 Avant is driven by the most glorious of engines – a 2.9-l V6 twin-turbo. You’ll find this same engine in Porsche’s Panamera. It blows 331 kW/600 Nm onto the tarmac in a no-fuss manner, thanks to Audi’s incredible quattro system. Splicing through its 8 gears with the integration of ZF’s world-class gearbox. The combination is sublime and arguably hard to better.

Audi’s RS 4’s direct competition comes from the likes of BMW’s M3 and M4 and Mercedes-AMG C 63. These competitive products are harder and more tactile in their approach to sports sedan motoring. Nothing wrong with their approach. What I enjoy about Audi’s take is the perfected balance between exhilaration and everyday practicality. The RS products are idiot-proof and let’s face it – not everyone who buys one of the 0-to-ridiculously-fast-in-the-speed-of-light knows how to handle these machines. The RS products are kinder in that way – they want you to relish in the joyride without it leading to an unfortunate accident. The RS is your buddy – he has your back.

Being an Audi A4 on steroids, the practical part of the car is fabulous. Accommodation for kids, dogs, plants, luggage and even your mother in law. If you’re not fond of her, you can drown out the sound of her voice by opening the window and listening to the engine’s magnificent symphony. Granny will also love the cosseting quilted seats. Oh, and the fact that the ride is supple enough not to knock her back out of alignment.

Safety is also top-notch with an invisible, but real, monitoring system that prevents collisions from a 360-degree perspective. 

The RS 4 is basically the ultimate sports car and family wagon rolled into one. It’s perfection. If I must nitpick at it, I’d say the wagon concept isn’t for everyone, albeit I love it and the optional extra list is long and pricey. At this level of vehicle things like three-zone climate control and heated front seats should be included in the cars R1 211 500 price tag. My test vehicle was adorned with R247 164.00 worth of kits. I’m clutching my pearl necklace that is almost half the price of an entry-level A4.

 

Plus +

  • Outstanding engine, gearbox and drivetrain combination
  • Idiot-proof driving bullet
  • Practical supercar

 

Minus –

  • Long and pricey optional extra list

The competition

No direct rivals, bar the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo, but the M3/M4, Mercedes-AMG C63 and the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.

 

The pricing

RS4 Avant R1 211 500

 

The service and warranty

The Audi range comes standard with a 5 year/ 100 000km maintenance Plan.

www.audi.co.za/za

 

 

Views: 160

Add a Comment

You need to be a member of neofundi to add comments!

Join neofundi


Follow us on twitter  

 

© 2024   Created by neofundi.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service