Possibly the ultimate wolf-in-sheeps-clothing, the RS4 is a practical-looking family wagon that happens to produce over 400 horsepower. To put this sort of power in perspective, our old Toyota Caldina produced 127 horsepower.
It looks subtle. Flared guards and a minimal body kit are the only hints of what lies beneath. Peek through the spokes of the alloy wheels and the 14.9 inch brake discs with their 8-piston Brembo calipers might arouse some suspicion. Read more about it on Wikipedia.
I was walking home from work in Auckland earlier this year and heard behind me a rich bellow that wound out into this unbelievably smooth scream. Almost missing it in the time it took to turn my head, I saw the RS4 quite obviously exceeding the 50kph speed limit as it tore through the intersection I’d just crossed. The previous version of the RS4 (the B5) had a twin-turbo V6 (producing 375bhp), and itself was a certifiably insane piece of kit. But there were no turbos to muffle the glorious sound of the B7’s V8. I’ve heard the raw sound of a top-fuel dragster’s V8, and it is a fearsome noise to behold, but the blend of bellow with German precision and refinement mean the Audi’s engine is possibly the best I have ever heard.
So, it fits the family, it won’t attract the fuzz, and it has more fun and fast that you could ever wish for.
And it comes in at second-equal in my list of cars I’d choose for any Alex Roy-type stunt. But that’s another story.