Audi "Ultimate Expression of Quattro" event

[Dippy]

Camberly & Basingstoke Audi invited me to this event at Basingstoke and I thought I'd go along for a few hours. They had entertainers for the kids and free lunch so I took the family.

Not a bad event really. I booked drives in the S6, Q7 and RS4.

S6: Boring car. It's got a V10 but you wouldn't really know it. Maybe cos its mated to an auto box, but I really didn't feel like there was any real "oomph" to the car.

Q7: Very good. It's a huge car but doesn't feel like it. Drives really well. I really tested it on some corners and was amazed at its handling. The video-camera reversing feature was a nice toy too.

RS4: What an amazing car. Loved the seats and the noise. The power and handling are fantastic. HOWEVER I was surprised that the low end torque was significantly less than my S4. OK, once the engine revs got up it went like a rocket, but there did seem to be some low end "lag" in comparison to my S4. It left me feeling that as a track car or for someone who likes to have regular points on their license, it is a dream car, but for "fast road use"? The S4 is better!!! I can't afford one anyway so maybe my judgement is biassed.

Overall a great few hours out. I wouldn't have bothered arranging the test drives if it wasn't for the event, and there wasn't any sales pressure at all. Well done Audi!

[jeffw]

I did the same event but with Tonbridge Audi. Drove the RS4 Cab, S6 & A8 Tdi. Didn't think the RS4 was much faster than the S6 in real terms and not as fast as my B5 S4. The A8 Tdi was actually the car I would have bought if I had the money.....amazing vehicle and 35MPG.

[ZeroK66]

I got an invite to this... but given I am 24 I dont think they would have let me... so passed it up. Would have been nice to drive those cars though. INteresting what you say about the performance. On paper the RS4 kicks the S4 B (Stage 2+) but I suppose in real world driving not much can compare to the turbo kick

[jeffw]

My B5 is stage 3...an RS4 will go away from a stage 2 car I would think.

[Scotty]

I did the same at Stansted. I was disappointed in the RS4 in a way.

I love what it does as I love what mine does but it seemed less quick to rev up and didn't seem any faster.

Looking at the figures it seems I have more torque and although the RS4 has more bhp this is just calculated due to it's higher revving potential...which although nice wouldn;t get me to partwith £35k for the "upgrade".

I'll keep my stage 3 ... along with the doner parts from the RS4.

[TonyFoo]

Totally agree with Scotty. Drove the RS4 and then immediately got back into my car and had a sly smile that all the boys with the new toys will be the miffed ones when they see that there's not much between 'em. The RS does rev way up there and it seems exciting when it does as there's the feel of lots of power but there's not a lot in it. Yes the handling is a bit sharper but it's not worth £35k extra.

I'm waiting for the new RS6 before being sorely tempted to blow loads of cash.

[Dippy]

Jeff, let me clarify. It was clear to me that my S4 has more low-end torque than an RS4, meaning that I feel it has more "go" at "typical" road speeds. I am not in any way saying that my car would beat an RS4 in a race, unless of course there was a maximum speed limit!

[Scotty]

I'm sure I could find more differences than I did on a track where I could push it more but so far I'm glad I didn't take a punt on one.