Featuring Audi’s new design language, a twin turbo V6 engine, an eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox and the latest generation MMI touch screen, Audi’s new RS 4 Avant is now available to order at Audi New Zealand.
The redesigned Audi RS 4 Avant accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.1 seconds, with the twin turbo V6 engine producing an impressive 600 Nm of torque and top speeds of 250km/h. With the latest generation in driver assistance systems, the car is suitable for both every day driving and long-distance road trips, all with the power of a quattro driving system.
“The high performance RS 4 Avant is widely regarded as one of the best concepts in Audi’s 25 year history and it is now available in New Zealand in the 2020 design, “ commented Dean Sheed, General Manager of Audi NZ. “Combining consistent sportiness with unlimited everyday usability, it’s an ideal car for New Zealand conditions and the previous model has consistently been one of our best-sellers. We can’t wait to share the latest revamp and design enhancements with our customers.”
The front section of the new RS 4 Avant was completely redesigned. The Singleframe is wider and flatter as compared to the base model. It also features the three-dimensional honeycomb structure in gloss black that is typical for the RS model series. To give it a clean look, the new eggcrate grille with the RS 4 emblem is inserted directly into the bumper with large lateral air inlets and vertical flaps.
The shape of the LED headlights of the RS 4 Avant has also been redesigned. It offers Matrix LED headlamps with dynamic light design, dynamic turn signal and a headlamp washer. The gloss black, matt aluminium and carbon styling packages add individual accents to the inlay in the sill, the exterior mirror housings and the front and rear bumpers. Upon request, the gloss black and carbon styling packages also include the Audi rings and the RS logo in black on the front and rear. The RS badges can be omitted completely for a more understated look.
The RS-specific roof edge spoiler and the diffuser insert as well as the chrome tailpipes of the RS exhaust system give the vehicle a distinct finish. The optional RS sport exhaust system with black tailpipe trims creates a particularly sporty sound experience. The driver can decide whether they want a sporty or subdued sound via the Audi drive select dynamic handling system.
The new RS 4 Avant now outputs 331 kW allowing the RS 4 Avant to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.1 seconds. The TFSI engine weighs just 182 kilograms which is 31 kilograms less than the V8 engine in the predecessor model from 2012. This benefits the gross weight and the axle load distribution—two prerequisites for the impressive performance.
The power of the 2.9 TFSI flows to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system via the sporty eight-speed tiptronic. This strong performance from the V6 is coupled with a high level of efficiency. In the new WLTP driving cycle, it consumes just 9.2 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres, with only 211 grams of CO2 output per kilometre.
Wheel-selective torque control is active on all types of surfaces. When driving with a sporty style, it brakes the wheels on the inside of the curve very slightly via the Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC), thereby increasing the drive torque on the wheels on the outside of the curve with the higher wheel load. The difference in drive forces turns the car into the bend, allowing the car to follow the steering angle precisely. The result: precise, agile and neutral handling.
The driver can create their personal driving experience via the standard Audi drive select dynamic handling system. As a result, this highly responsive damper system ensures that the RS models are particularly precise when negotiating bends. it delivers extraordinarily taut driving precision even when cornering at high speed. At low driving speeds—in city traffic and in manoeuvring—the level of power assistance is also high, making parking a piece of cake. On country roads, the directness of the steering response and electric power assist are reduced progressively. When driving at high speeds on the motorway, the indirect gear ratio and low level of power assistance smooth out jerky steering movements and assist with confident directional stability.
Dynamic steering works closely with the electronic stabilization control program (ESC) to achieve sporty handling and driving safety. If necessary, it counter-steers slightly; its slight corrections, most of which are unnoticeable to the driver, reduce understeer and oversteer due to load alterations in the vast majority of situations.
The new RS 4 Avant is factory-equipped with 20-inch 5-arm forged aluminium 275/30 wheels. Various other 20-inch designs are available upon request, including a new fully milled five-arm wheel painted completely in matt bronze. Powerful RS steel brakes with perforated composite disks ensure confident deceleration.
The Audi RS 4 Avant features a black interior. LED light guides trace the contours of the doors and the centre console. The driver and front passenger are welcomed by the illuminated door sill trims that bear the RS 4 logo.
The new MMI touch display provides acoustic feedback and takes over the functions of the previous rotary pushbutton on the centre console. The driver can use the RS monitor to call up an overview of drive system component temperatures, maximum g-forces and information regarding tyre pressures and temperatures. In the Audi virtual cockpit, special RS displays provide information on tyre pressure, torque, power output, engine oil temperature, lap timings, acceleration measurements and g-forces. The new aluminium shift paddles are also considerably larger than before.
The luggage compartment has a capacity of 495 litres which increases to 1,495 litres with the rear seats folded down and cargo loaded to the roof. The luggage compartment lid and the luggage compartment cover are electrically operated as standard. Sensor control for opening and closing the luggage compartment lid is available as an option, and a trailer towing hitch that can be unlocked electrically at the push of a button is also available upon request.
“Under level 2 we are offering customers contactless test drive options, by appointment, with the ability to pick up and drop off at the customers’ convenience. As this car is pure performance and well suited to the adventurous Kiwi lifestyle, we encourage our customers to get in touch so we can organise a test drive for them,” concluded Sheed.
Audi New Zealand say it’s available now from $153,500 + on-road costs, includes 5-year warranty, 3-year transferable service plan and 5-year Roadside assist.
