Features and Equipment

Light and comprehensive

Although weight was one of the main considerations in the development of the Audi RS 4, the car boasts a wide and sophisticated range of equipment. Two features fitted as standard, for example, are the high-comfort automatic air conditioning and the Concert radio system. Central locking and electric window lifts, in turn, should be offered as a matter of course in this segment.

Aluminium pedals accentuate the sporting character of the RS 4 and serve at the same time to save even more weight. The acoustic parking system front and rear, in turn, protects the car from unwanted scratches when parking, and the particularly powerful xenon plus headlights ensure optimum visibility whenever required.

The "RS" symbol is to be admired not only on the sports leather steering wheel tapering down at the bottom, but also on the gearshift lever knob in leather with its aluminium look and on the trim strips in the door cut-outs. Two of the functions controlled directly from the ergonomically designed sports steering wheel are the lap timer and the sports button. Variable DRC Dynamic Ride Control, finally, raises driving behaviour to an even higher standard by significantly reducing both body roll and dive.

The Audi RS 4 comes on specially developed 18-inch cast aluminium wheels in five-arm design. As an option, the particularly demanding purchaser also has the choice of 19-inch wheels in seven-arm double-spoke design, again combining the benefits of low weight with beautiful looks.

Audi offers a wide range of special equipment on the RS, including, inter alia, Audi's navigation system plus, the Symphony radio, various types of exterior mirrors (as an option also folding in when required), as well as sports suspension plus. The comfort package comprises amenities such as cruise control as well as heated seats at the front. Given all these qualities, the Audi RS 4 combines the performance of a sports car with the superior level of equipment of a premium saloon. Without having to forego any of the features and creature comforts they appreciate so much, the driver and his passengers will still enjoy driving pleasure in its purest form.

     

RS Models

The new Audi RS is the latest highlight from quattro GmbH. Indeed, ever since making its debut in 1999, the first RS 4, the first fully independent high-performance car developed by Audi's sports-oriented subsidiary, not only hit the headlines but also re-interpreted the very definition of high-performance motoring.

In a truly impressive manner, the first RS 4 proved the great potential offered by Audi's new sports car concept for the future.

But even the first RS model still developed and built by Audi itself thrilled fans and aficionados everywhere: The RS 2 Avant immediately caught the attention of experts through its outstanding performance. Launched in 1994, this five-cylinder turbo-powered performance car remained in production for well over a year. Engine output was 262 kW or 315 bhp even back then, no less then 2,881 purchasers opting for this sports car based on the Audi 80 Avant. Today the RS 2 has for a long time been a highly coveted classic with a large group of fans and enthusiasts.

The first generation of the RS 4 already showed what every RS is able to offer today: the features that make this car so unique - the uncompromising combination of emotions and functions. And even the very first Audi RS 4 Avant thrilled customers through its high standard of family orientation and everyday motoring qualities blended with driving performance offered up to that time only by the most thoroughbred sports cars.

Given this outstanding success, quattro GmbH was prompted to develop further RS models. And although the RS 4 remained in production for only slightly over one year, more than 6,000 thrilled purchasers opted for this sports car in its distinctive Avant look.

The subsequent RS 6 also won over a large group of thrilled enthusiasts very quickly, quattro GmbH even building a limited edition RS 6 plus with maximum engine output of 480 bhp. The RS 6 was incidentally the first RS model to be sold by Audi in both saloon and Avant guise.

This successful combination is now being continued with the new RS 4, worldwide sales of the RS 6 and RS 6 plus amounting to more than 8,000 units.

     

Creating the new Audi RS 4, quattro GmbH has proven once again that there is no need for compromise in developing a sports car fully suited for everyday motoring. Indeed, more than virtually any other models, the RS versions highlight the technical and technological skills and abilities of Audi, conveying a clear message to the customer.

The new Audi RS 4 also comes with a wide range of innovative technical features and emphasises the strengths of the brand through the use of FSI technology and the new quattro generation. And at the same time Audi is taking a new approach with this outstanding model, for example by introducing the high engine-speed concept already tested successfully in motorsport.

The most essential point to quattro GmbH in all of its cars is to consistently maintain a well-balanced overall concept. So far Audi has always offered the RS driver perfect and highly emotional driving machines with a high level of everyday motoring quality just right for a growing group of thrilled fans in the market. And Audi quattro GmbH will continue this philosophy with the new RS 4.

Responsible also for the "S line", "Audi exclusive", and "Accessories" special features and product lines within the Audi Group, quattro GmbH makes a significant contribution in upgrading Audi's high level of sporting performance and the dynamic image of the brand.

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