Test Driving an RS4

[plummer]

Searching for a RS4 and visited a dealer today in Dublin to take one for a test drive, as I had the sales person as shotgun and driving within some speed limits, I didn't get a chance to put the car tought its paces, however when I did go to accelerate I just didn't feel any great power and was left a bit cold on the RS4 from the experience. My daily drive is a 2.5 TDI A4 quatro so have some performance but was expecting a lot more from the RS.
As a result I have some questrion of you good folk on here.
1. does the RS4 re3ally need to be rev'd really hard build acceleration?
2. any Irish RS owner willing to allow me be a passenger at some point?.

Most enjoyable part of the test drive was the sound, some sound from that engine.

Thanks.

[wrekka]

Yeah standard cars need a good rev to get going. When you hit 5500rpm you get a real kick. Below that they do feel sluggish

[PetrolDave]

Your 2.5 TDI has plenty of mid range torque which, if you drive the RS4 the same way (change gear early & avoid low revs to avoid going off boost) will make it disappointing. The RS4 engine loves revs and is at it's very best above 5000rpm. Having said that it's also brilliant below 1500rpm where it still has loads of torque (no off-boost).

[adsgreen]

It's the ok'd argument between forced induction vs naturally aspirated.
FI engines get more torque quicker than na. An na engine needs to rev higher so if you start accelerating the rs4 from 3k then it won't exactly be a slouch but not in it's happy zone.
As above, get over 5k then it's really much better. At normal speed limits all you need is second gear