Audi RS4 Avant: Too Rich for Americans?

With the economy still struggling, people are spending less on new cars. This has caused some foreign automakers such as Audi to not import some of their top of the line models, such as the RS4 Avant.

It is a shame, because the Audi RS4 Avant is one of the quickest Audis every produced, yet still retains the superb interior quality buyers have come to expect from the German automaker.

Audi has said that projected sales in North America would likely be poor, leading to their decision to not import it. However, European buyers will still be able to enjoy the new RS4 Avant.

Sporty yet Sophisticated

Audi enthusiasts will immediately recognize the new RS4 due to its unique hexagonal grille flanked by Audi’s signature LED daytime running lights. A dual exhaust system is tucked neatly under the bumper, and the rear taillights are now surrounded by LEDs as well. The interior is very elegant, which is what a buyer comes to expect from Audi.

The interior color is completely black on all models and features chrome accent trim around the buttons on the center console. Unique to the RS4 Avant is a smaller leather steering wheel versus what is found in other Audi models. The wheel comes complete with paddle shifters for quick and seamless gear changes of the seven-speed transmission.

With proper equipment, the steering wheel can also display lap times and engine oil temperature, which is very nice for buyers who will be taking their RS4 Avant to the race track. Creature comforts include Bluetooth communication, driver assistance programs and an online car phone which connects the car to the Internet.

Power and Performance

The Audi RS4 Avant shares an engine with the Audi RS5. The 4.2 liter V8 engine produces 450 horsepower at 8,250 RPM. Do not let that high RPM fool you though; the engine produces plenty of horsepower and torque at lower revs as well.

The RS4 will go from 0-60 mph in just 4.7 seconds and has a limited top speed of 155 mph. If the customer requests the limiter to be removed, Audi will do it free of charge. Without the limiter, top speed increases to an impressive 174 mph. Even with the high horsepower engine, the RS4 Avant still manages to return just over 21 miles per gallon in combined highway and city driving.

Will it ever come to the States?

At $96,000, the RS4 Avant has a steep price, but so does its competition, which is already sold in the United States. Its main competition is the Mercedes C63 AMG and the Cadillac CTS-V. The RS4 Avant stacks up well with both of these cars, but the CTS-V is nearly $30,000 less expensive while offering an engine with over 100 more horsepower than what is available in the RS4.

This is part of the reason Audi does not think the car will sell that well in the United States, as American buyers tend to prefer high horsepower opposed to interior quality, an area in which the Audi is far ahead of the Cadillac.

With the economy going down everyone is looking for a good deal. People are even looking for used Audi RS4 rims to save them a bit of money.

Image by audiusa.com