Audi RS 4 Avant: Жоғары өнімділік және технологиялық жаңалықтар

The Audi RS 4 is the high performance variant of the Audi A4 range produced by Audi Sport GmbH for AUDI AG, a division of the Volkswagen Group. It sits above the Audi S4 as the fastest, most sports focused car based on the A4's "B" automobile platform. The RS 4 was reintroduced in 2012, based on the A4 Avant instead of the sedan as did the original model. The original B5 version was produced only as an Avant, Audi's name for an estate car/station wagon. The second version, the B7, was released initially as a four door five seat saloon/sedan, with the Avant following a short while later. A two door four seat Cabriolet version was subsequently added. The "RS" initials are taken from the German RennSport—literally translated as "racing sport", and is the Audi marque's highest trim level, positioned above the "S" model specification of Audi's regular model line up. Like other Audi "RS" cars, the RS 4 pioneers some of Audi's latest advanced technology. It is only available with Audi's Torsen based "trademark" quattro permanent four wheel drive system. Its main market competitors include the BMW M3, Mercedes Benz C63, Lexus IS F (formerly) and Cadillac ATS V (now Cadillac CT4 V Blackwing).

The Audi RS 4 Avant quattro was unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show and was based on the B8 A4 Avant. The RS 4 Avant uses the Volkswagen MLB platform, and shares the same powertrain as the RS 5 Coupé.

Compared to the related B8 S4, the RS 4 features larger bumper air dams and features double exhaust tailpipes compared to the S4's double twin (quadruple) exhaust tailpipes. Wider arches allow for a wider axle and wheels. A completely remodelled front bumper cover with honeycomb grill compared to the standard A4 and S4 as well as remodelled rear bumper with honeycomb detailing and minor air diffuser. The interior is largely the same but the flat bottom steering wheel is covered entirely in perforated leather with RS badging on the steering wheel and gear stick. The interior dashboard and door liners are also detailed with carbon fibre inserts as standard although there were options to change this to aluminium or piano black. SuperSport seats covered partly with leather part Alcantara were standard in the B8 RS 4 but as with the B7, there was a winged backed bucket seat option. It was also an option to order the seats covered entirely with leather.

The RS 4 is powered by a 4.2L FSI V8 engine producing and allowing the car to accelerate from in 4.7 seconds. The RS 4 Avant is available with a 7 speed dual clutch S Tronic transmission.

New for the B8 are 'wavy' vented and floating cast iron discs, diameter and thick, with 6 piston Brembo floating calipers, and at the rear by discs with a single piston floating caliper. The standard wheels were 19 inch with 235/40 R19 Pirelli P Zero tyres. Optional 20" rotor design or 10 spoke alloy wheels were also available with 265/35 R20 Pirelli P Zero tyres.

Amongst the options available for the B8 RS 4, are ceramic brakes, allowing the car to perform heavy braking without having brake fade. A sports pack was available which included a Sports exhaust identifiable by black exhaust tips in the rear bumper, and Dynamic Ride Control suspension. The Sports pack also came with the 20" rotor design wheels as standard. A total of 7000 units of the Audi B8 RS 4 were built.

In February 2014, Audi announced a tribute to the original RS 2 Avant on its 20th anniversary by releasing a limited run of the Nogaro Selection Limited Edition. The changes were entirely cosmetic with black trim and roof rails, red brake calipers, and blue Alcantara detailed interior (seats, door lining, blue carbon weave elements & blue stitching) as well as the limited edition Nogaro Blue paint exterior. It retailed at approximately 10% more than the standard model. Some ~200 were manufactured with approximately 39 in RHD being registered in the UK.

The new RS 4 Avant was unveiled at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. Noticeable changes include a more angular exterior and newly designed wheels. The new RS 4 Avant is powered by a 2.9 TFSI V6 twin turbo engine producing and of torque. This means that the new RS4 B9 produces the same power as the previous model (B8) while making more torque (extra 170 Nm) from a smaller displacement engine, resulting in better fuel efficiency and acceleration. Unlike the B8 RS 4, which had a 7 speed dual clutch S Tronic transmission, the new RS 4 Avant is available with an 8 speed 'Tiptronic' automatic transmission.

The B7 RS 4 was planned to replace the C5 RS6 in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Speed World Challenge, but after Champion Racing had prepared the car, it was decided not to compete in the series, due to rule changes imposed by the SCCA on Audi concerning 4WD systems, wheel size, and engine power output. Rather than scrapping the fully built Speed World Challenge RS 4, Champion Racing and Audi used the car as a part of the American Le Mans Series Vitesse Program, which highlights the technology link between race cars and conventional series production road cars.

Six RS 4s are openly campaigned in the Superstars Series by Audi Sport Italia. Audi RS 4 Quattro driver Gianni Morbidelli won the 2007 and 2008 championships.