Test subject : one black RS4 saloon :
As photographed by my phone from what for me is its most flattering angle, the rear three - quarter view. Most flattering because its from here you notice that purposeful looking rear wheel arch. Peachy. As for the rest, as has been said already - its an S - Line TDi which is fine in a way, because this is one hell of a stealth bomber. And very nearly as expensive. Price as tested was nearly 54k.
Climbing aboard and its quality all the way. I loved the cabin. The seats were the most comfortable I've ever sampled in a car and everything could be adjusted to give great visibility out.
The salesman took the helm for the first part, but was after fifteen minutes or so kind enough to sod off and leave me to it. There were 1600 miles on the clock so full beans were available to be played with.
Initial impressions were what a civilised place to be the cockpit of a new RS4 is. The steering must be variably assisted. A little more feel at very low speeds would be good, but that is something that would be easy to get used to. It must be a doddle to manoeuvre the RS in tight spaces.
Enough of that. Lets get going... and I notice immediately the torque available from low RPM's. I would though. I come from a CSL! What a gearbox - beautiful, precise short throws. Really top marks here. Damn I've missed a good manual box these last two years, and owners of this new RS are gonna love playing with the ratios in this one. Its so quiet in here. Civilised. Push the sport button and the gorgeous sound emanating from the V8 becomes more apparent. Never intrusive though, just more apparent particularly as the needle climbs past 5,000 RPM and surges round to 8,000. This car walks softly, but wields a big stick.
Its all very sophisticated, civilised performance. The dealership had set the bonger to come on at 130 clicks, but by the time I had remembered what the noise meant and had glanced at the speedo needle we were at 140 with no fuss or drama whatsoever. It was a minor country lane however, and so time to sample the stoppers. Wow. The vehicle shed speed impressively. I know none of the tech details on these but they bit very firmly - rather like an M - Coupe I tried many years ago. On or off, with little in between.The car pulled up straight and true on a damp uneven surface. Very impressed.
I liked it. It turned in precisely at speed when negotiating roundabouts and powered out well with little TC intrusion. Most importantly, I was invited to several single - fingered tea parties by other road users (there's a result then
) Its a fine capable road car. Very fast though it is, I still felt it could do with just a little more grunt. I'd love to drive one with 5,000 miles plus on the clock that has been properly run in. Actually I'd love to drive the R8 with this engine option. So much of this new RS (brakes, seating, shift change, turn - in) makes so much of the old RS obsolete, that with the strides made by Audi in the last two years I cant see how the R8 is going to be anything less than an amazing drive.New owners will undoubtedly love their RS's, but I wont be ordering. Its the wrong car for me at this time. Not big enough for my tribe, too big for purely personal fun. As ever, horses for courses.
Schnitzel will have to wait, sadly.
