Steve Sutcliffe on the B8 RS4

[kidyamlo]

Forgetting the RS4 model for a mo, the B8 range IMHO just doesn't have the appeal that the B7 did because a) It's too big and bulky now both as a family car for many (hard to park) and this extra bulk/weight isn't great for an RS either - RS6s are great but they can never be called agile and B8 looks very close to C5

Never thought I’d say this (in addition to my VXR comment above) but more often than not, when it’s a case of shipping family around locally (in London, where parking is an ass) I will take the C-Max over an Avant any day of the week. I did it with a Golf+ when I had my previous Avants and I’ll stick to it. And it means less dents and dings from school-run mums who believe the parking sensors on their Range Rover Sports to operate in feet not inches. The Audis for long distance motorway cruises with a few B-roads chucked in.

And DRLs. Am I the only one to often find these more blinding that full-beam xenons?? I exaggerate slightly, but, you know; and they just make everyone look like they’re tooling around with their fogs on. What exactly *are* the safety benefits of DRLs anyway? I don’t buy it. Not to go too off topic of course...

I like this. Proper little pub moan

[Timster]

Oooh, don't get me started on unnecessary bling-bling LED's

[kidyamlo]

Oooh, don't get me started on unnecessary bling-bling LED's

No, no, get started!

[neckarsulm]

Yes get started.

I think the weight of the gadget laden B8 emphasises the lack of torque - and torque is everywhere these days with turbos sprouting everywhere, it's expected
However you can have torque and a n/a engine - as long as it's a 6.2 litre - Well done Merc for doing it and it sounds great but lets think about that, 6.2 litres in a small exec car
They really should have gone twin turbo again IMHO but still V8 - next RS6 will have to be like this to copy M5 so why not get it started in RS4?

[adsgreen]

I still don't really like DSG's for fun cars... Sure they are great in terms of performance but nothing like a proper sequential.
Even though it's still principly moving a paddle there's something quite laugh out loud in feeling the next gear slammed into position.

Shame they can't (or wont) get the zero shift gearbox to production cars. The great amazing thing about these is that when you aren't flat foot shifting it's no different to a conventional manual. The difference is that it can engage two gears simultaneously (albeit for a fraction of a second) and no break in drivetrain power but hell of a life for the transmission due to the engagement shock. Also feels like you neck is going to snap.

[kidyamlo]

Also feels like you neck is going to snap.

Yeah, fun, but aforementioned torque affected even further by the extra weight of your own personal chiropractor; along for the ride at all times.