Behind the Wheel of the RS4

After a fascinating tour of the production plant, paint shop and Audi Museum, it wasn't long before I programmed the RS4's Navigation Plus with the route I would be using from lngolstadt to Regensburg via the Altmuehtal Nature Park. For this segment I avoided the Autobahn since I was interested in seeing the winter beauty of the countryside and enjoying the RS 4 on twisty roads. I went through Kosching, Bettbrunn, Almanstein and Kelheim and ended up in Regensburg, my destination for that day. It was not the quickest route, but it gave me the chance to evaluate this engineering marvel and the opportunity to fall for its charms.

After only a few minutes behind the wheel, I was surprised to find how easy it was to drive this powerful automobile. The six-speed transmission and the clutch were very easy to operate. Acceleration was more than exhilarating: in fact, it was something that can't be described in words. Push the accelerator firmly and one is instantly compressed into the sport bucket Recaro seat, which, by the way, is a bit of a hassle to get in and out of in contrast to the U.S. version S4 Recaro seat, but in return the European-spec seat holds the driver very firmly in place. And as I discovered, once I was seated, I didn't want to get out. The engine note was another aspect of this car that I fully appreciated. Throughout the journey, I rarely turned on the radio because I enjoyed so much listening to the melody of the 4.2 FSI V8.

I could feel the advantage of the 40/60 Torsen split. Unlike the S4 Avant that I am familiar with, the driving dynamics were better, whisking me through corners with confidence and without any hint of understeer. Braking feel and control were excellent; apparently the cross-drilled large disc brakes are shared with the Lamborghini Gallardo. Yoda had to have applied his Jedi Force to this car. This was the only explanation I could come up with for how the car never strayed off line and cornered effortlessly above what seemed to be the logical cornering limit.

After several hours of driving, I arrived at the ornate and historic Maximilian Hotel which opened in 1891. After an excellent four-course dinner at the hotel, I retired for the night, eagerly looking forward to the next day's drive.

No theoretical performance numbers can replace the real-world feel offered through your connectedness with the car and the fearsome mountain passes. Forget about reaching the 250 kph on some straight road; it's the up and down winding roads that proved the RS4's heart and soul and demonstrated its technical and engineering excellence.

Behind the Wheel of the RS4

After a fascinating tour of the production plant, paint shop and Audi Museum, it wasn't long before I programmed the RS4's Navigation Plus with the route I would be using from lngolstadt to Regensburg via the Altmuehtal Nature Park. For this segment I avoided the Autobahn since I was interested in seeing the winter beauty of the countryside and enjoying the RS 4 on twisty roads. I went through Kosching, Bettbrunn, Almanstein and Kelheim and ended up in Regensburg, my destination for that day. It was not the quickest route, but it gave me the chance to evaluate this engineering marvel and the opportunity to fall for its charms.

After only a few minutes behind the wheel, I was surprised to find how easy it was to drive this powerful automobile. The six-speed transmission and the clutch were very easy to operate. Acceleration was more than exhilarating: in fact, it was something that can't be described in words. Push the accelerator firmly and one is instantly compressed into the sport bucket Recaro seat, which, by the way, is a bit of a hassle to get in and out of in contrast to the U.S. version S4 Recaro seat, but in return the European-spec seat holds the driver very firmly in place. And as I discovered, once I was seated, I didn't want to get out. The engine note was another aspect of this car that I fully appreciated. Throughout the journey, I rarely turned on the radio because I enjoyed so much listening to the melody of the 4.2 FSI V8.

I could feel the advantage of the 40/60 Torsen split. Unlike the S4 Avant that I am familiar with, the driving dynamics were better, whisking me through corners with confidence and without any hint of understeer. Braking feel and control were excellent; apparently the cross-drilled large disc brakes are shared with the Lamborghini Gallardo. Yoda had to have applied his Jedi Force to this car. This was the only explanation I could come up with for how the car never strayed off line and cornered effortlessly above what seemed to be the logical cornering limit.

After several hours of driving, I arrived at the ornate and historic Maximilian Hotel which opened in 1891. After an excellent four-course dinner at the hotel, I retired for the night, eagerly looking forward to the next day's drive.

No theoretical performance numbers can replace the real-world feel offered through your connectedness with the car and the fearsome mountain passes. Forget about reaching the 250 kph on some straight road; it's the up and down winding roads that proved the RS4's heart and soul and demonstrated its technical and engineering excellence.