Audi RS4: Audi's eight-pot screamer

Here's an Australian review of the Audi RS4.

Australians love a bent-eight engine with its brutal power and guttural exhaust note. Now those clever Germans have taken things a step further by fitting a family sedan with an advanced V8 that can spin all the way to an extraordinary 8250 revs.

It has incredible performance, but the RS4 can also be used as an everyday driver, with four doors, a sizeable boot, and room for five people.

The 4.2-litre engine is a worked version of the five-valve a cylinder V8 used in the S4.

The RS4 engine has four-valves a cylinder, with an injector that takes the place of the fifth valve at the top of each cylinder. It runs direct fuel injection, Audi calls it FSI, for more efficient combustion.

The high-revving engine uses new forged pistons, modified conrods and a revised crank and cylinder heads.

All this mechanical goodness means the RS4 can charge from 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds.

I stop watching the speedo after it passes 220km/h. I need to look at other things — such as the corner looming at an alarming speed.

I wait as long as possible, then jump on the brake pedal. The eight-pot calipers squeeze the large pizza-size front brake discs and the RS4 squirms as it washes off some of the speed.

It's still not clear if they have slowed this rocket-ship enough for it to enter turn one at Calder Park Raceway with any chance of staying on the tarmac.

The brake pads must be hurting as they pull up 1730kg of car and driver in a hurry.

After changing down to second gear, it's time to throw the super Audi into the turn.

If I could, I would cross my fingers, but both hands are busy on the steering wheel.

The RS4 turns in, all four wheels scrabbling for grip, desperately clinging to the road.

Halfway through the turn it's time to start feeding on the tremendous power on tap to sling the car out of the bend.

The braking and cornering abilities of the RS4 are impressive, but let's not forget what this car is all about — the engine.

The pumped-out guards, meaty 19-inch wheels, wicked seats and spoiler are only window-dressing.

The power and torque figures will impress your mates at the pub, but it's the 8250 rev limit that is the true wonder.

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Audi RS4

Source: Cars Guide via AudiWorld

Audi RS4: Audi's eight-pot screamer

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