The RS4 Avant Competition Proves Audi Isn’t Red Mist Immune
We don’t get any flavor of the RS4 Avant in the United States. But who doesn’t love forbidden fruit?
You don’t have to be a race car driver, or even an enthusiast, to understand the concept of the “red mist.” If you’ve played sports, video games, or even something as — ostensibly — benign as Wordle in a competitive manner, you know the red mist. It’s the feeling of harnessing blind rage to inspire better performance. And the RS4 Avant Competition is proof that even the world’s most celebrated automakers are vulnerable.
Or, at least that’s the thesis presented here, in this killer new video from our friends over at Hagerty. Here host Henry Catchpole opines that Ingolstadt’s lusty longroof exists only to assert dominance over another of Germany’s apex predators — the BMW Competition Estate. Of course, because the world is unfair and Americans are obsessed with crossovers and pickup trucks, neither of these glorious beasts is available on our shores. Even if the “standard” RS6 Avant is one hell of a consolation prize.
That said, even if we don’t get any flavor of the RS4 Avant here, it’s an absolute blast watching Catchpole hurl the RS6 Avant’s smaller sibling around the track, and give up dirty details on this juicy bit of forbidden fruit. For starters, there’s no more power on the table. The 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 is still pumping out 444 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of twist. But it’s sporting a host of other kit, including a trick differential, a rear-biased all-wheel drive system, and retuned transmission that quickens the shifts.
The wheels have also been swapped for units that are four pounds lighter than the standard car’s, the adjustable dampers have been tuned for both cobblestone streets and track work, and the steering ratio is a fixed 13:1. Fixing the ratio means it’s more predictable than an adaptive system, and — apparently — is a key component to the transformed driving experience. Watch the full video for a full breakdown of the changes, and to enjoy some absolutely stunning scenery.
Photos: YouTube