2007 Audi RS4 Review

PRICE: $66,000

LIKES: Extremely fast. Refined. Superb handling. Rakish styling.

DISLIKES: Pricey. Fuel-thirsty. Tight back seat. Rather heavy.

The new Audi RS 4 quattro sedan is by far the best performer in Audi's top-selling A4 compact car line, which offers various sedans, station wagons and convertibles.

Automobile magazine says the RS4 is "the best Audi to drive in 20 years." I agree, although the car ain't cheap at $66,000, plus a $2,100 gas guzzler tax.

Then again, Audi says the RS 4 "highlights the engineering and technological expertise of Audi more than virtually any other car."

The RS 4 quattro (small "q") was especially developed by Audi's oddly named high-performance "quattro GmbH" division and blurs the difference between a sports car and sports sedan.

This new model looks wicked, with such features as large front air inlets for engine cooling, flared wheel arches to accommodate huge tires on 19-inch wheels, flared side sills and a rear spoiler integrated into the trunk lid.

Compared with a standard A4, the RS 4 sits 1.2 inches lower and has a wider track, increased by 1.5 inches up front and 1.9 inches at the rear. My test RS 4 had sunglasses-shattering Imola yellow paint that really made the car stand out.

The RS 4 is considerably different than other A4 models mainly because it has an awesome 420-horsepower V-8. It revs to a race-style 8,250 rpm. But, unlike a race engine, the 4.2-liter V-8 has smooth, linear power delivery.

The RS 4 comes only with a slick six-speed manual gearbox with a short-throw floor shifter and clutch. No automatic with a manual-shift feature and wimpy steering-wheel paddle controls is offered. That shows this Audi is for genuinely serious drivers. It has a race-car feel but is a practical everyday auto. However, the front spoiler is quite low and thus can be easily damaged, and the wide tires have almost no sidewall area -- leaving the attractive wheels with virtually no scuff protection if they accidentally nudge curbs.

Audi says the RS 4 does 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds, but Road & Track magazine has gotten as low as 4.3 seconds, with 0-100 mph in merely 10.7 seconds. That's right in line with a Porsche 911 Carrera 4S, which is a much lighter two-seat sports car. Pressing a "sport" button on the dash causes slightly quicker throttle response and a more aggressive exhaust sound.

Top speed of the RS 4 is electronically limited to 155 mph, but let's hope only specially trained drivers will attempt to go that fast on a race track. Matter of fact, the RS 4 has a stopwatch with a lap timer function, which Audi says is "a useful extra for those special track days so beloved of RS 4 drivers." (While new to America, the first RS 4 debuted in Europe in 1999.)

The RS 4 weighs a hefty 3,957 pounds, although it has lots of weight-saving aluminum. Put that weight with the high horsepower and sizzling performance and you get only an estimated 14 mpg in the city and 21 on highways.

Premium fuel is needed partly because direct fuel injection allows the V-8 to have a lofty 12.5:1 compression ratio.

The RS 4 wouldn't be much fun for most folks during normal driving if it were loud, temperamental and generally uncomfortable. But it's just the opposite -- quiet, refined and equipped with all sorts of comfort, convenience and safety features.

The car is so well-equipped that the only major option is a $4,700 Premium Package, which has such items as a navigation system, glovebox CD changer, Sirius or XM satellite radio, Bose premium sound system and heated rear seats. Rear side air bags cost $350.

Some 58 percent of the RS 4's weight is up front, although the car doesn't feel nose-heavy. It handles much like a well-balanced rear-wheel-drive auto. That's largely because of its advanced all-wheel-drive (quattro) system that supplies 60 percent of the power to the rear wheels during normal driving.

The RS 4 also has a high performance suspension and Audi's Dynamic Ride Control, which reduces body roll and pitch. And there's an electronic stability control system, which includes an electronic differential lock, traction control and powerful anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution.

The precise steering has sensitive feedback, and stopping distances are extremely short with good brake pedal feel. The ride is firm but supple, although it occasionally becomes a bit jumpy on uneven expressway surfaces.

The quiet, upscale interior is filled with leather, aluminum and carbon fiber. It has supportive front bucket seats and gauges that can be quickly read.

Major controls are easy to use and front doors have storage pockets. But the rear-seat area is tight for tall adults with a hard center section. There's a decent pull-down rear center armrest with pop-out cupholders, but inside door handles should be larger.

The large trunk has a low, wide opening and a lid that pops up well out of the way on hydraulic struts. Rear seatbacks flip forward and sit almost flat to expand the cargo area.

In all, the RS 4 will outrun nearly every car as it hauls groceries, golf clubs or kids in the back. Maybe it's not so expensive, after all.