RS4, First Impressions
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 2:38 pm
Well, picked up the RS4 Avant from West London Audi on Friday and had a perfect weekend to see what she's really like. I'd only done two 20 min test drives so a 500m round trip from London to Newquay was my first solo run..took in a combination of static M4, less static but wet M5 and some corking roads through Devon and Cornwall.
I'm joe average on the road, definitely not a track day hero, and so these observations aren't that exciting, just first thoughts on a new toy..
Road presence..I think the RS4 is smaller than the 6 I've been driving for the past 2 years, but it doesn't look any less imposing - in fact, I reckon it looks more purposeful, maybe its the colour (daytona v's black). Had a shed load of thumbs up from other drivers and a couple of spars with some other cars - old shape m3 evo and a boxster S - no great surprises that it didnt struggle against either..
Pace - doesnt feel as quick as the 6 in a straight line, guess the lack of two turbos takes the stomach wrenching pull out of the equation..on the twisty stuff, its a whole different ball game - like I said, I'm no Lewis Hamilton, so the only way I'd describe it compared to the 6 is that the steering feels tighter and more accurate and predictable. The a30 in Cornwall was an absolute pleasure, wish the car had sports suspension though..even in torrential rain/gales over the weekend, she just felt so planted.
Livability - definitely a nicer place to spend time, whether its balls out or just pootling around town. Probably just the fact that its a newer car though. Big plus is that the bucket seats fit a 6ft 2 15 stone bloke which is reassuring. Still annoyed that iPhone doesnt sit in the cradle, but hardly the end of the world - Sport button is pointless..just leave it on.. dont know why its there, other than to freak out unsuspecting passengers. Dont miss the extra space of the 6, although the rear looks a bit more cramped with hard backed seats?
Am I pleased I made the move..definitely. For someone of my ability, the 4 offers everything the 6 could do (just differently), looks better, sounds better and had more toys. That said, if I could afford to, I'd have kept the 6 too.
I'm joe average on the road, definitely not a track day hero, and so these observations aren't that exciting, just first thoughts on a new toy..
Road presence..I think the RS4 is smaller than the 6 I've been driving for the past 2 years, but it doesn't look any less imposing - in fact, I reckon it looks more purposeful, maybe its the colour (daytona v's black). Had a shed load of thumbs up from other drivers and a couple of spars with some other cars - old shape m3 evo and a boxster S - no great surprises that it didnt struggle against either..
Pace - doesnt feel as quick as the 6 in a straight line, guess the lack of two turbos takes the stomach wrenching pull out of the equation..on the twisty stuff, its a whole different ball game - like I said, I'm no Lewis Hamilton, so the only way I'd describe it compared to the 6 is that the steering feels tighter and more accurate and predictable. The a30 in Cornwall was an absolute pleasure, wish the car had sports suspension though..even in torrential rain/gales over the weekend, she just felt so planted.
Livability - definitely a nicer place to spend time, whether its balls out or just pootling around town. Probably just the fact that its a newer car though. Big plus is that the bucket seats fit a 6ft 2 15 stone bloke which is reassuring. Still annoyed that iPhone doesnt sit in the cradle, but hardly the end of the world - Sport button is pointless..just leave it on.. dont know why its there, other than to freak out unsuspecting passengers. Dont miss the extra space of the 6, although the rear looks a bit more cramped with hard backed seats?
Am I pleased I made the move..definitely. For someone of my ability, the 4 offers everything the 6 could do (just differently), looks better, sounds better and had more toys. That said, if I could afford to, I'd have kept the 6 too.
.