Picture Gallery: 2008 Audi RS4 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Discuss
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There is no denying the R8 has turned the automotive world on its head; talk to most any automotive enthusiast these days and it quickly becomes obvious the R8 is “the” dream car for many. Enter Audi’s other “R8:” powered by the same 4.2Litre V8 engine (producing 420hp and 317lb-ft of torque), my tester for this week, the Audi RS4, is truly a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
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The RS4 provides nearly the same amount of performance excitement as the R8 along with more practicality, more luxury, comfort and refinement, all the while being a whole lot less conspicuous.
While perusing the RS4 options list, it becomes quite obvious this vehicle is meant for those looking for luxury and style with extreme performance. For example, not many vehicles on the market come standard with a moonroof and include a no-charge option to remove it solely for weight savings.
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The RS4 pretty much comes with everything you would need or want as standard, with the only options being: a $500 rear side airbag package; a $6,300 premium package which includes, DVD Navigation and a few other goodies; a bluetooth link for your mobile phone for $650; and an Audi Exclusive Package from quattro GmbH for another $4,700.
I’m fairly certain most would be extremely happy with the long list of standard features on the RS4 — especially the monster engine and beautiful twelve-way sport power driver and front passenger Recaro® Sport seats.
2008 Audi RS4
MSRP as tested: $100,500
For more information on Audi and the RS4 visit Audi Canada
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The RS4 performed remarkably in the snow, without exaggeration. Today when I opened the door of the car to get in, the snow was swept back and was piled higher than the sill. Yet backing out was a breeze — thank you quattro, and winter rubber.
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The radio is a little finicky as well, with the tiniest of volume knobs, but it too is forgiven because of the absolutely genius rolling thumb control on the steering wheel that literally puts a smile on my face.
The speedometer is a little on the wacky side, though. Zero to 100 km/h is well-defined from the six o’clock position to the twelve o’clock position, but from there it becomes a little vague with very little area to distinguish 100km/h from 130km/h — and very little time to get from one to the other when you mash the go-pedal, I might add.
The hand brake is the most irritating device in the car. When you put it up it rams into the arm rest; for a car so well-thought out I’m not sure how they missed this glaring problem. But all your worries go away when you drop the brake and start up the car… oops, too much information — I’d better leave the details for tomorrow.
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He the follows that lovely paragraph with “You have NO idea.” — I completely agree! Until you have driven this car you truly have no idea. You can read the rest of his riveting article here… once you are done with this one, of course.
Starting the engine in the RS4 is not just an action, but a moment of anticipation as you wait for it to crank over and roar to life — the exhaust note is intoxicating, although very different-sounding. I liken it to the thrill of starting the flat six huddled in the rear of a Porsche 911 every morning; it’s something I could never tire of.
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It feels more like 0.43 seconds; from the moment you launch the car off the line to the point you realize you are already well above the posted limit feels like time had stood still and you went from A to B in a blink of an eye. A quick glimpse in the rear view mirror enhances that feeling as you notice the car behind is still entering the intersection while you are hundreds of meters away.
Dry road, wet road, 15-centimeters-of-snow-road… it does not matter. This car feels planted, solid and raring to go any day, at any time, in any weather. But forget about the engine for a moment: this car handles well, too and soaks up bumps smoothly yet firmly. The steering is oh-so-right, with automatic speed-sensitive adjustment; just point, shoot and hold on tight. Nothing I have driven before compares — it is that good.
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This is another car for my top-10 list. I believe I put the Accord Coupe 6-speed V6 on it when I reviewed that car, but the RS4 needs to go onto a top-10-of-all-time list. I won’t bother to mention fuel consumption for this beast. It seemed to be pretty good on the highway, and while I went through a lot of fuel in a short distance, that had more to with my right foot than the car.
I love that the RS4 provides supercar performance in a practical form, even with all sorts of snow on the ground. And the fact that most on-lookers have no idea that you are in automotive nirvana adds to the appeal.
There is no way to express the true awesomeness that is the RS4 driving experience. You just have to drive it to understand. As an added treat I have attached two mp3 sound clips at the bottom of this Day 4 entry for your enjoyment.
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2008 Audi RS4
MSRP as tested: $100,500
For more information on Audi and the RS4 visit Audi Canada
Engine & Exhaust (Starts with engine revving for 20 seconds or so then moves to rear)
Exhaust only (heavenly)
to our site.
March 05, 2008, 02:36:27 pm
Isn't the S4 the same price (or close) to the M3?
March 05, 2008, 03:35:07 pm Which made sense when the M3 was an I6 powered car with 330hp... now that it's got a V8 and only six less horsepower than the RS4 on tap, the Audi is overpriced. Even more so if the rumors of an AWD M3 pan out...
March 05, 2008, 04:00:56 pm
On the options side, shouldn't be Bluetooth and rear side airbags standard at this price point?
Rear side airbags should NEVER be standard (and I think they never are), as they render the back seat unsafe for toddlers. Rear side curtain airbags (which are standard on the RS4) are safe for children, but not rear side torso airbags (which are optional).
I agree on the bluetooth, though.
Good point. I haven't thought about that, but it makes perfect sense.
March 05, 2008, 04:38:21 pm
This sort of disparity always happens when you compare a new-generation-whatever to its previous-generation competitor. I'm sure an RS5 is right around the corner, and it will up the ante. The S5 (and upcoming S4) offer a little more power, but a little more weight, than a 330i, at roughly the same price (once you option them the same; the BMW is only cheaper because of less standard equipment). I'm sure the same will be true of an RS5 against the current M3.
March 05, 2008, 11:26:33 pm As much as I like Audis I do find the designs haven't evolved that much. It is like having the same car year after year with some extra bits that make them go even faster. Its like porsches in a sense. I do find that with really expensive cars the design hardly change. Yer I know they are fantastic to drive and yer they do look nice and yer they go really fast. But I find the cars do look dated IMO. maybe I'm being a bit harsh here. I do know it would be fun car to own and live with that goes without saying.
I just wish the design would excite me more and look more modern thats all.
March 05, 2008, 11:54:38 pm
March 06, 2008, 12:31:04 am Nice car. But at $105K
How much is the MB C63?
March 06, 2008, 07:37:19 am RS4 starts at $95 400. Mercedes' website doesn't have a price for the C63 AMG yet, but I'll wager it's North of $100 000. And the Audi is a better car.
March 06, 2008, 08:12:08 am
Crazy money when you could get a Lotus Elise and an '08 A4 2.0T Quattro for the same money.
There was (operative word) an S4 on the Canadian Auto Associates site with 20,000 km on it for $50,000.
Edit: Corrected RS4 for $50,000 to an S4
March 06, 2008, 10:13:40 am M3 is actually 30k cheaper, and will drive a lot better than RS4 due to better weight distribution and lighter body. For the difference you can get Mazdaspeed3 - try to justify that.
March 06, 2008, 10:42:28 am The M3 is not $65 000. I forget what it was priced at at the autoshow, but isn't it ~$75 000? 95 000 - 75 000 = 20 000... when did they stop teaching math in schools?
But long story short, Audi will need to revise pricing on the RS4 with the M3 being such a potent machine. Hopefully when the RS5 comes the pricing will be more in line with the BMW...
March 06, 2008, 02:05:33 pm for a hundred grand what would I rather have a house or car. Ummmmmmmmmmmmm......
March 06, 2008, 02:21:44 pm
Well this is a good point but if you can blow 100k on a car your probably not living in a 100K home (even if you can find one that isn't on wheels)
I would guess they live in a 500K+ house or condo.
March 06, 2008, 05:51:33 pm ^ What about that woman who bought the M6 on her pension? Didn't she live with her mom?
But I agree - anyone who can actually afford to drop $100k on a car is living in a very nice home already...
March 06, 2008, 06:02:55 pm I might be the lone "weirdo" here, but for being able to enjoy the orgy of luxury, performance, and V8 soundtrack YEAR ROUND is worth the price premium. M3 is amazing, as is the IS-F. But these cars go in the garage (Like my Supra) at the 1st sign of snow, and don't come back out for 5-6 months later.
While not the correct way to compare, let's look at it this way to give you an idea:
Over 5 years:
M3 @ $75,000 for 7 months use cost: $70. per day.
RS4 @ $105K for year-round use cost: $57. per day
I dunno....as much as I love my Supra, if I could get a comparable car with similar performance but with AWD, I'd buy it in a blink......(R34 GT-R).......
This is another reason why I see the $81,000 GT-R as a bargain in the world of uber-cars...
March 07, 2008, 11:47:50 pm RS4 sound:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdI3H5_JovA
March 08, 2008, 10:10:23 am and this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1ZhNu7pwlk
March 08, 2008, 11:57:14 am
Crazy money when you could get a Lotus Elise and an '08 A4 2.0T Quattro for the same money.
There was (operative word) an S4 on the Canadian Auto Associates site with 20,000 km on it for $50,000.
Edit: Corrected RS4 for $50,000 to an S4
TopGun, buddy, you and I are on the same page on this one.
I'd much rather have a Lotus Exige S at $69,000 and get a slightly used A4, A3 or WRX for grocery runs and snow days.
March 08, 2008, 01:41:53 pm Some of us only get one parking space and since there is no RS4-Avant I'm going to have to settle with the "slow" S4-Avant.
EDIT: You can no longer order a new S4-Avant either.
I'm curious James...Which car would get your money?
RS4
R8
Porsche CS4
March 08, 2008, 01:58:29 pm Tough choice there -- R8 would replace the S2000 and I'd keep the Mazda3 for winter duty.
If I couldn't have 2 -- RS4
March 08, 2008, 03:49:11 pm Sounds as though you like it
There are a surprising number of RS4's on the road. Expected less. The price point apparently isn't that hard to swallow, and believe they've sold more than anticipated. I drool over the Sprint Blue one parked at the local furniture store every time I pass by it.
March 10, 2008, 03:11:42 am thanks for the audio clips! Nice, but dare I say I've had better?
March 10, 2008, 11:00:04 pm James,
I waited anxiously in my front window every evening last week for you to drop by in that car. Thanks for nothing!
March 11, 2008, 07:49:07 am Hey buddy, I still have the car and I might be heading downtown tonight .....
March 16, 2008, 11:05:36 am my only concern about the RS4 is that it is only $66000 in the states compared to $95000 here. i wonder if they price match