2017 AUDI RS4 Avant (B9) 2.9L V6 quattro 8AT AWD (450 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Audi revealed the fifth generation of the A4 in 2015, but its hard-core fans awaited that particular version that went under the radar: the family-looking station wagon that came with an RS badge on it.

Usually, the station wagons are those cars that block the left lane and are crawling with all seats taken. Also, they are often seen on the HOV lanes doing lower-than-limit speed on the highway. But there are some exceptions. Some of these family-friendly vehicles worth every penny, such as the Audi RS6 or its little brother, the RS4.

Unlike its regular, non-RS versions, the RS4 Avant looked meaner. The front fascia featured a black singleframe grille with a red and silver badge on it and a piano-black lower lip under the apron. Its LED headlights featured a double, reversed-L shape daytime running light signature. Audi installed black side sills and door mirrors to emphasize the special version, while at the back, besides the roof-spoiler, it added two oval-shaped pipes under the bumper, flanking a diffuser. But all these details might still get unnoticed by the boys in blue due to the car’s overall shape.

Inside, Audi went wild and installed all the good things it had in its parts bins. At the front, the carmaker installed sport bucket seats with integrated headrests embroidered with the RS4 logo on their seatbacks. The carbon-fiber trims from the center console and dashboard evoked a racy spirit, while the Audi Cockpit digital instrument cluster spoiled the driver. A second screen stood on top of the center stack, controlled via the MMI controller next to the gear-selector.

But the most crucial change was under the hood, where Audi dropped the previously used 4.2-liter V-8 engine and replaced it with a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V-6. While the power remained the same, the torque went up by 170 Nm (125 lb-ft). The gearbox gained another gear. With all these changes made, the 2017 2.9-liter V-6 was quicker than its predecessor by more than half of second on the 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) run.