Audi RS4
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| Audi RS4 | |
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| Manufacturer | quattro GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Audi AG |
| Parent company | Volkswagen Group |
| Also called | RS4 |
| Production | B5: 2000-2001 B7: 2006-2008 |
| Assembly | Neckarsulm, Germany |
| Class | Compact executive car, Sports car, Halo vehicle |
| Layout | Front engine, quattro permanent four-wheel drive |
| Platform | Volkswagen B platform series |
| Related | Audi A4 Audi S4 |
The Audi RS4 is the highest performing version of the Audi A4 range of cars, a sports-focused compact executive car produced by quattro GmbH, in limited numbers, for German car manufacturer - Audi AG. It slots above the Audi S4 as the fastest, most sports-focused model based on the A4's "B" chassis. It is only available in quattro permanent four-wheel drive.
The original (B5) version was only produced as an "Avant", Audi's name for a estate car/station wagon. The second (B7) version was released initially as a saloon/sedan, with the Avant following a short while later. A Cabriolet version was subsequently added.
The "RS" initials stand for "RennSport", and is Audi's highest trim level, positioned above the "S" ("Sport") line of Audi's regular model line-up.
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[edit] B5 RS4 (8D) (2000-2001)
| 1st generation - B5 RS4 (8D) | |
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| Production | 2000 - 2001 |
| Predecessor | Audi RS2 Avant |
| Successor | Audi B7 RS4 |
| Body style(s) | 5-door Avant (estate/wagon) |
| Platform | Volkswagen B5 platform |
| Engine(s) | 2.7 L V6 twin-turbo |
| Transmission(s) | 6-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 2607 mm (102.6 in) |
| Length | 4525 mm (178.1 in) |
| Width | 1799 mm (70.8 in) |
| Height | 1366 mm (53.8 in) |
| Curb weight | 1620 kg (3571 lb) |
| Related | Audi A4 (B5) Audi S4 (B5) |
The first generation RS4 (Typ 8D) was introduced by Audi in late 1999, for main production and sale from 2000, as the successor to the Porsche/quattro GmbH developed RS2 Avant. The vehicle, like its predecessor, was available only as an Avant (estate/wagon), and was built on an existing platform, in this case the Volkswagen B5 platform generation A4/S4. Retail price was around 103,584 Deutsche Mark. The RS4 was available for sale in most of Europe, and in some Latin American countries.
Power came from a modified version of the B5 S4's 2.7 L, twin-turbocharged V6 engine, tuned by Cosworth Technology, featuring enlarged intake/exhaust ports on the cylinder heads, two turbochargers and side-mounted intercoolers, new induction and exhaust systems, and a re-calibrated engine management system; a six-speed manual transmission and Audi's quattro permanent four-wheel drive system were part of the package. The modifications were enough to bump the engine's power output from the 265 PS (195 kW/261 hp) and 400 Nm (295 ft·lbf) of the S4 to 380 PS (280 kW/375 hp) and 440 Nm (325 ft·lbf).
Even with a curb weight of 1620 kg (3568 lb), the RS4's powerful engine gave it the performance of a sports car. The 100 km/h (62 mph) mark could be reached in just 4.7 seconds and the 160 km/h (100 mph) could be achieved in just 11.6. Brakes were also developed in house by Audi/Cosworth Technologies, not by Porsche as with the RS2. It has 360 mm (14.2 inches) discs at the front, and 312 mm (12.2 inches) at the rear, giving the RS4 braking to match, needing less than 50 m (155 ft) to come to a full stop from a speed of 110 km/h (69 mph).
Audi produced 6030 units between 1999 and 2001.
[edit] B7 RS4 (8E) (2006-2008)
| 2nd generation - B7 RS4 (8E) | |
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| Production | 2006 - present |
| Predecessor | Audi B5 RS4 |
| Body style(s) | 4-door saloon/sedan 5-door Avant (estate/wagon) 2-door Cabriolet |
| Platform | Volkswagen B7 platform |
| Engine(s) | 4.2 L V8 FSI |
| Transmission(s) | 6-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 2648 mm (104.3 in) |
| Length | 4589 mm (180.7 in) |
| Width | 1816 mm (71.5 in) |
| Height | 1415 mm (55.7 in) |
| Curb weight | 1680 kg (3704 lb) |
| Related | Audi A4 (B7) Audi S4 (B7) |
After a long hiatus, the second generation RS4 (Typ 8E), built on Audi's "B7" A4 platform, by quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm, Germany (a wholly owned subsidiary of Audi AG), became available to European customers in the summer of 2006. It was introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in January, and arrived in August 2006 North America. There was no RS4 built on the Audi "B6" platform which served as the basis for the Audi A4 between 2000 and 2005.
The B7 RS4 is an almost complete departure from previous RS cars, as it was launched as a saloon/sedan, with an Avant and Cabriolet (convertible) version arriving later. Only the RS6 had taken this similar route (saloon and Avant) before; the previous RS4 and RS2 were available exclusively as Avants. The production run of the B7 RS4 was 2006 to 2008 inclusive, although only 2007 and 2008 model year were sold in the USA. In 2007, the base MSRP in the USA for the sedan was $68,725. There was a single "premium package" option that had a $4,700 MSRP that added all of the items that one would expect from a luxury car, including but not limited to a garage door opener, automatic headlamps, seat memory, automatic mirror dimming, DVD-based GPS navigation, satellite radio, Bose speakers, sun shades, bluetooth phone and rain-sensing wipers.
The model year 2008 base MSRP for the sedan in the USA was $69,785. The single "premium package" combining all of the usual luxury vehicle features was retained but the price dropped to $4,000 and allowed the option of having an iPod interface instead of a CD changer. In addition, two new cosmetic packages were offerred in 2008 for the sedans. The more expensive of the two is the "exclusive package" for $3,800 that included a two tone red and black interior, badging, floors mats and trim. The $750 "titanium package" included black painted exterior trim, titanium colored rims and mirrors and black interior trim. The B7 RS4 Cabriolet was made available as a model year 2008 vehicle in the USA, with a base price of $84,775, but had been available as a 2007 model in Europe. In the USA the only option that had an extra charge on the convertible was to have it painted in the "Sprint Blue" color; other options were available in Europe.
Other notable non-North American features to be found on cars destined for the European, South African and Australia/New Zealand markets, are the smaller, flat bottomed steering wheel (complete with "Sport" button), and the figure-hugging Recaro shell-type race bucket seats, complete with electrically inflatable upper and lower side bolsters.
Power comes from a 4.2L, V8 Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) engine. This is a highly reworked variant from the old 4.2 L V8, having cylinder-direct fuel injection, and 4 valves per cylinder, instead of 5. It produces a total output of 420 PS (414.3 hp/308.9 kW), over 100 PS (99 hp/74 kW) per litre. The engine also produces 430 N·m (317 ft·lbf) of torque. Kerb (curb) weight of the saloon variant is stated at 1680 kg (3704 lb).
The RS4 is also equipped with the 14.3 in (363.2 mm) iron front brake discs (cross-drilled and radially vented), and Brembo eight-piston calipers from the Lamborghini Gallardo, although lighter 380 mm (15 in) x 38 mm (1.5 in) Carbon/Ceramic composite front discs (with Brembo six-piston monobloc aluminium calipers) were an option from 2007 model year onwards. Another focus of the B7 RS4 was on the quattro permanent four-wheel drive, with the 'third generation' asymmetric/dynamic Torsen T-3 centre differential, featuring a 40:60 front-to-rear torque split under normal conditions. Audi stressed that this would result in a more neutral response in corners, and a fun driving experience. Also more aggressive Torque Bias Ratio (TBR) was used and set to 4:1, as opposed to 2:1 on standard A4.[citation needed] That means that one side of the differential can handle up to 80% while the other side would have to only handle 20% of applied torque. The B7 RS4 also incorporates Audi's Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) suspension mechanism, where a fluid mechanical linkage between diagonally opposing front and rear suspension dampers is used to counteract vehicle pitch and roll.
Audi factory numbers indicate that the B7 RS4 saloon can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds and arrive at 200 km/h (125 mph) in 16.6 seconds. Many independent tests have shown that the stock B7 RS4 can readily achieve 0-60 mph times around 4.4 seconds. This is consistent with the pattern of conservatism that is usually found in Audi's official performance numbers. To date, approximately 10,000 B7 RS4s have been built of which around 1,700 are in the USA.
[edit] Awards
In 2007, the Audi RS4 was the winner in the "World Performance Car" category of the International World Car of the Year (WCOTY). It beat illustrious rivals, including its larger sibling, the Audi S6, the Porsche 911 Turbo, Porsche 911 GT3, Ferrari 599 GTB, and Jaguar XKR.
[edit] Motor sport
[edit] Audi DTM
Audi joined the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) after having priveteer teams run the Abt:TT-R, and deciding to run a V8 A4 in the series. Audi in the past had used a V8 in the series with the original Audi Quattro V8, but had opted for a highly tuned V8 which Audi had no resources for. So Honda was contacted and at the time had been using V8s in IRL, and Audi wanted a similar package in performance and reliability so Honda and Mugen (M-Tec) got together and decided to let Audi use the Mugen/Honda MF308 V8 engine[1] (the only improvements made to the racing engine by Audi was shaving weight off the crankshaft since the engine had already been designed from the ground up.) which Audi Sport prepped tested/implemented/approved and raced in 2004, the engine produced 460 bhp (343 kW/466 PS) and over 500 N·m (370 ft·lbf) of torque in 4.0 litre trim and has been a mainstay in Audis DTM program.
[edit] Audi R13 DTM 04-07
- Engine: 4.0 Litre 90° V8
- Power: 460 bhp (343 kW/466 PS)
- Torque: over 500 N·m (370 ft·lbf)
- Gearbox: Xtrac or Hewland 6-speed
- Chassis: Spaceframe
- Tyres: Dunlop Slicks
- Front: 265/660-R18
- Rear: 280/660-R18
[edit] Audi R14 08-?
- Engine: 4.0 Litre 90° V8
- Power: 460 PS (338 kW)
- Torque: over 500 N·m (370 ft·lbf)
- Gearbox: Hewland Sequential 6-speed sports gear (DTM Standard)
- ECU: Bosch MS 2.9
- Chassis: Spaceframe
- Wheels: OZ forged alumminium
- Front: 10 x 18-inch
- Rear: 11 x 18 in
- Tyres: Dunlop
- Front: 265/660-R18
- Rear: 280/660-R18
[edit] Speed World Challenge
The RS4 was planned to replace the RS6 in the Speed World Challenge, but Champion only made a Demo RS4 for exhibition only.
[edit] References
- ^ Racecar Engineering Oct 2007 DTM:Worlds Closest Racing Saloon Series
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Audi.com official corporate website
- "Sinister Beauty" an official Audi UK microsite site
- RS forums at RS246.com - Dedicated to Audi S and RS Models
- RS4 forum at RS6.com International Community
- B7 RS4 Test Drive and Review at AudiWorld.com
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| Compact car | A3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Super 90 | Fox (B1) | 4000 (B2) | 80 / 90 (B3) | 80 / 90 (B4) | A4 (B5-B8) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4000CS quattro | S4 (B5-B8) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mid-size car | ... 100 (C1) | 5000 (C2) | 100 / 200 (C3) | 100 / 200 (C4) | A6 (C4-C6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ur-S4 | Ur-S6 | S6 (C5) | S6 (C6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full-size car | V8 | A8 / S8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coupé | Coupé GT | Quattro T89(B3) | A5 / S5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Roadster | TT | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sports car | Quattro (Ur-Quattro) | RS6 | RS4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Convertible | Cabriolet (B4) | A4 Cabriolet / S4 Cabriolet | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compact SUV | Q5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Crossover SUV | allroad quattro | A6 allroad quattro | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Luxury SUV | Q7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Founder: August Horch • Audi corporate website • A marque of the VWAG group • quattro GmbH • Audi Driving Experience • Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. • VolkswagenGroupAmerica corporate website • Electronics Research Laboratory | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
