New 2020 Audi RS 4 Avant unveiled with aggressive styling
Audi has launched an updated version of the RS 4 Avant, with fresh exterior styling, a subtly revised interior and a 444bhp V6 engine
This is the new Audi RS 4 Avant. It’s the hopped-up RS version of the recently facelifted Audi A4 estate, which features an aggressive body kit, a tauter chassis, a tweaked interior and a turbocharged V6 engine. It’ll make its debut on 4 October at this year’s DTM Touring Car Championship final, before going on sale in November.
It’s powered by the same twin-turbocharged 2.9-litre V6 petrol engine as the pre-facelift RS 4 model, which develops an identical 444bhp and 600Nm of torque. The engine’s power is sent through an eight-speed automatic gearbox to a rear-biased quattro all-wheel-drive system, offering a 0–62mph time of 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 155mph.
Under normal driving conditions, the Audi RS 4’s mechanical centre differential splits the engine’s power between the front and rear axles at a 40:60 ratio. However, should it detect a loss of traction at one axle, the quattro system can automatically direct up to 70 percent of the engine’s power to the front wheels and 85 percent to the rear.
Chassis upgrades over the standard Audi A4 include lowered sports suspension, a reconfigured steering system and a set of perforated disc brakes with six-piston calipers. Buyers can also opt for a set of 400mm ceramic disc brakes, automatic adaptive dampers and Audi’s RS Dynamic package, which raises the RS 4 Avant’s top speed to 174mph.
Like all of Audi’s flagship performance models, the RS 4 Avant has been subject to a rigorous cosmetic overhaul. Revisions include a more aggressive front bumper and splitter, wider side skirts, flared wheel arches, unique 19-inch alloy wheels and a redesigned rear diffuser that houses the brand’s trademark oval exhaust tips.
Elsewhere, there’s a new roof spoiler, fresh black roof rails and a redesigned egg-crate grille finished in gloss black. Optional extras include matte aluminium or carbon fibre exterior trim, Matrix LED headlamps, an active RS sport exhaust system and larger 20-inch alloy wheels. Buyers can also have the car’s “RS” badges removed for a more understated look.
The interior of the facelifted Audi RS 4 hasn’t changed drastically over its predecessor. It retains the outgoing model’s heavily bolstered sports seats, RS-branded centre console, leather gear selector, three-spoke sports steering wheel, aluminium pedal box and digital instrument binnacle.
The biggest change to the RS 4’s cabin is the new, driver-facing 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which replaces the old model’s rotary-wheel-controlled 8.3-inch unit. Audi says the system offers support for natural language commands, as well as a host of RS-specific features such as a G-force display and a drivetrain temperature monitor.
Audi is yet to release a full price-list for the new RS 4 Avant, but the German brand has confirmed that base-spec models will start from around £65,000 in the UK. From launch, buyers will be offered two trim-levels – an entry-level standard version and a highly specced Vorsprung edition. First deliveries are due to arrive in early 2020.
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