RS fans still true to wagon trail
Posted by Richard Bosselman for Autos - Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:24
ALL sorts of impressive performance figures are being bandied around for the next-generation Audi RS4 but there’s one tally specific to this market that’ll surely throw down a particular gauntlet.
It’s the sales count – New Zealanders were particularly keen on the previous limited-edition car, in production for just two years, ending in 2008.
During the production run brand agent European Motor Distributors secured and sold 206 of them; more than went into Australia and enough to make our wee country No.1 for ownership per head of population. The generation two Rs4 was also the most popular RS model ever sold here.
Can this astounding success be repeated with the replacement? There’s time for fans to make plans.
Though photos have already been issued and the car will be properly unveiled to the world at the Geneva Motor Show opening on March 4, the production model is still a while away from touching down on NZ soil.
At the moment, EMD reckons we’ll start to see the bahn-burner from January, 2013. There’s familiarity and change with the new model. Most obviously, it’ll be sold only as an Avant wagon, just like the B5 first-generation car (2001-2002).
The gen two sedan was popular in some markets, this one included, but Audi has determined a four-door is history now that there’s an RS5 Coupe.
The new RS4 builds upon the impressive performance capability of its predecessor while once again relying on a 4.2 litre V8 engine, hand-built at Audi’s plant in Gyor, Hungary, and identified by its red cam covers.
The mill this time produces 331kW, an increase of 22kW, though torque remains the same at 430Nm.
There’s no manual box any more. Instead it and will deliver power to all four wheels through a seven-speed S-tronic twin clutch transmission.
Audi says it’ll crack 0 -100kmh in just 4.7 seconds and achieve a regulated top speed of 250kmh which, in markets that allow it, can be increased to 280kmh upon request. The new transmission isn’t just to meet comment about the old car’s heavy clutch and assertive gear movement. The S-tronic box helps boost economy to 10.9 litres/100km. It also allows the RS4 to take a more effective launch control.
One other figure worth bearing in mind: Probable price. Audi NZ general manager Dane Fisher says we can expect parity with the old model. “We expect it to come at a similar price, so around $170,000.”
Fisher doubts demand will tempered by the wagon styling. Indeed, if anything, the focus on a pure load-all next time around will be a positive.
“The Avant had more than 60 percent of the split with the last RS4 … and received the reputation as the ultimate New Zealand performance vehicle.
“It offered the performance of a sports car coupled with incredible practicality with space from the Avant and quattro all-wheel drive to take you anywhere. Based on this I do not think demand will be (adversely) affected at all.”
He says Kiwis definitely have a ‘thing’ for RS cars. “In 2006 and 2007 RS4 sales in New Zealand accounted for eight percent of our total volume where the world wide average was around two percent!
While the RS4 established a cult following that continues still, he says all RS product sells well here. The RS6, powered by a V10 shared with Lamborghini, also did well. “We sold in similar numbers to Australia in a market 10 times bigger than us.”
The same desire is fuelling sales of the current RS3, a flagship A3 ewhich, by using the same 250kW turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder as the TT RS, is New Zealand’s most powerful hatchback.
Sounds hot? Of course, but it’s also a last blast for an A3 platform set for imminent replacement, so when it launched internationally a year ago, Fisher thought he would meet market demand by restricting volume to just 10 units a year.
However, he soon realised that prediction was woefully off-target; as soon as badge faithful began to learn about the car, the calls flooded in. Subsequently, the order count was revised to 30 units, and it’s still not enough.
“Although we only received the RS 3 in October 2011 we managed 20 customer sales. This year, due our very strong reputation of RS sales success, we have managed to secure a further 40 units.”
Ultimately, though, the RS4 will continue as the kingpin model here; it just seems to fit so well into the NZ high-flier lifestyle.
It certainly looks the part. About the only remaining link with the regular A4 Avant is presented by the luggage capacity, unchanged at 1430 litres with the rear seats folded.
Visual and mechanical change is extreme. Squatting 20mm lower than the standard Avant on 19-inch alloy wheels with 265/35 tyres, the RS4 gets lighter aluminium components on the five-link front suspension and trapezoidal link rear suspension. The old hydraulic power steering makes way for a new electro-mechanical set-up, while stopping power is provided by 365mm front discs of an all-new lightweight design that shaves 3kg from the car while also dissipating heat more quickly.
Black-painted eight-piston callipers grasp the front discs, which can be upgraded to 380mm carbon-fibre ceramic stoppers at extra cost. Also optional is a dynamic steering system that varies the ratio according to how fast you're travelling and a dynamic ride control, which constantly adjusts damper response at each corner according to driver taste. Three modes - comfort, auto and dynamic - modify the characteristics of the steering, transmission and throttle.
As with all RS models, Audi's designers have pumped up the bodywork. There's a series of air intakes in the lower front bumper, plus sculpted sills and flared arches. Huge twin oval tailpipes, finished in chrome as standard or black with the optional sports exhaust, are joined by a diffuser and roof spoiler. The tweaks make the RS4 20mm longer and 24mm wider than the regular A4.
The interior is all black with carbon-fibre trim. There's a flat-bottomed steering wheel with paddle shifters, along with sports seats. The standard heated front sport seats with integrated headrests are power adjustable and covered in a combination of black leather and Alcantara. Fine Nappa leather is optionally available. Other options include bucket seats or luxurious, climate-controlled deluxe seats with a ventilation function.
The driver information system with colour display includes an RS menu with a lap timer and an oil thermometer. Both it and the MMI monitor display a special RS welcome screen when the car is started.
The pedals, the footrest, the air vents, the shift paddles on the steering wheel, the MMI buttons and other controls shine in an aluminum-look finish. Aluminum inserts adorn the door sill trims, which are accentuated with RS4 badges.
Rounding out the list of optional equipment is a broad range of state-of-the-art driver assistance and communication systems, including the Bluetooth online car phone that connects with the internet.
Fisher won’t be around the see this car; he leaves EMD in a couple of weeks to take up a role in Italy with Lamborghini. He’s had almost six years with Audi, the first three as sales manager, and in that time has seen he four circle brand bump out BMW as the preferred premium German.
Audi isn’t alone in using Geneva to show off a NZ-bound performance model. BMW is also showing off the latest M6 – a two-door M5, in essence that will be sold as a coupe or convertible. It has the M5’s bi-turbo 4.4-litre V8, producing a stout 389kW at 5750rpm and 680Nm at just 1500rpm.
The coupe passes 100kmh in just 4.2 seconds and 200kmh in 12.6 seconds. Top speed is governed to 250kmh, although the M Driver's Package will up that to just over 300kmh.
It’s the sales count – New Zealanders were particularly keen on the previous limited-edition car, in production for just two years, ending in 2008.
During the production run brand agent European Motor Distributors secured and sold 206 of them; more than went into Australia and enough to make our wee country No.1 for ownership per head of population. The generation two Rs4 was also the most popular RS model ever sold here.
Can this astounding success be repeated with the replacement? There’s time for fans to make plans.
Though photos have already been issued and the car will be properly unveiled to the world at the Geneva Motor Show opening on March 4, the production model is still a while away from touching down on NZ soil.
At the moment, EMD reckons we’ll start to see the bahn-burner from January, 2013. There’s familiarity and change with the new model. Most obviously, it’ll be sold only as an Avant wagon, just like the B5 first-generation car (2001-2002).
The gen two sedan was popular in some markets, this one included, but Audi has determined a four-door is history now that there’s an RS5 Coupe.
The new RS4 builds upon the impressive performance capability of its predecessor while once again relying on a 4.2 litre V8 engine, hand-built at Audi’s plant in Gyor, Hungary, and identified by its red cam covers.
The mill this time produces 331kW, an increase of 22kW, though torque remains the same at 430Nm.
There’s no manual box any more. Instead it and will deliver power to all four wheels through a seven-speed S-tronic twin clutch transmission.
Audi says it’ll crack 0 -100kmh in just 4.7 seconds and achieve a regulated top speed of 250kmh which, in markets that allow it, can be increased to 280kmh upon request. The new transmission isn’t just to meet comment about the old car’s heavy clutch and assertive gear movement. The S-tronic box helps boost economy to 10.9 litres/100km. It also allows the RS4 to take a more effective launch control.
One other figure worth bearing in mind: Probable price. Audi NZ general manager Dane Fisher says we can expect parity with the old model. “We expect it to come at a similar price, so around $170,000.”
Fisher doubts demand will tempered by the wagon styling. Indeed, if anything, the focus on a pure load-all next time around will be a positive.
“The Avant had more than 60 percent of the split with the last RS4 … and received the reputation as the ultimate New Zealand performance vehicle.
“It offered the performance of a sports car coupled with incredible practicality with space from the Avant and quattro all-wheel drive to take you anywhere. Based on this I do not think demand will be (adversely) affected at all.”
He says Kiwis definitely have a ‘thing’ for RS cars. “In 2006 and 2007 RS4 sales in New Zealand accounted for eight percent of our total volume where the world wide average was around two percent!
While the RS4 established a cult following that continues still, he says all RS product sells well here. The RS6, powered by a V10 shared with Lamborghini, also did well. “We sold in similar numbers to Australia in a market 10 times bigger than us.”
The same desire is fuelling sales of the current RS3, a flagship A3 ewhich, by using the same 250kW turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder as the TT RS, is New Zealand’s most powerful hatchback.
Sounds hot? Of course, but it’s also a last blast for an A3 platform set for imminent replacement, so when it launched internationally a year ago, Fisher thought he would meet market demand by restricting volume to just 10 units a year.
However, he soon realised that prediction was woefully off-target; as soon as badge faithful began to learn about the car, the calls flooded in. Subsequently, the order count was revised to 30 units, and it’s still not enough.
“Although we only received the RS 3 in October 2011 we managed 20 customer sales. This year, due our very strong reputation of RS sales success, we have managed to secure a further 40 units.”
Ultimately, though, the RS4 will continue as the kingpin model here; it just seems to fit so well into the NZ high-flier lifestyle.
It certainly looks the part. About the only remaining link with the regular A4 Avant is presented by the luggage capacity, unchanged at 1430 litres with the rear seats folded.
Visual and mechanical change is extreme. Squatting 20mm lower than the standard Avant on 19-inch alloy wheels with 265/35 tyres, the RS4 gets lighter aluminium components on the five-link front suspension and trapezoidal link rear suspension. The old hydraulic power steering makes way for a new electro-mechanical set-up, while stopping power is provided by 365mm front discs of an all-new lightweight design that shaves 3kg from the car while also dissipating heat more quickly.
Black-painted eight-piston callipers grasp the front discs, which can be upgraded to 380mm carbon-fibre ceramic stoppers at extra cost. Also optional is a dynamic steering system that varies the ratio according to how fast you're travelling and a dynamic ride control, which constantly adjusts damper response at each corner according to driver taste. Three modes - comfort, auto and dynamic - modify the characteristics of the steering, transmission and throttle.
As with all RS models, Audi's designers have pumped up the bodywork. There's a series of air intakes in the lower front bumper, plus sculpted sills and flared arches. Huge twin oval tailpipes, finished in chrome as standard or black with the optional sports exhaust, are joined by a diffuser and roof spoiler. The tweaks make the RS4 20mm longer and 24mm wider than the regular A4.
The interior is all black with carbon-fibre trim. There's a flat-bottomed steering wheel with paddle shifters, along with sports seats. The standard heated front sport seats with integrated headrests are power adjustable and covered in a combination of black leather and Alcantara. Fine Nappa leather is optionally available. Other options include bucket seats or luxurious, climate-controlled deluxe seats with a ventilation function.
The driver information system with colour display includes an RS menu with a lap timer and an oil thermometer. Both it and the MMI monitor display a special RS welcome screen when the car is started.
The pedals, the footrest, the air vents, the shift paddles on the steering wheel, the MMI buttons and other controls shine in an aluminum-look finish. Aluminum inserts adorn the door sill trims, which are accentuated with RS4 badges.
Rounding out the list of optional equipment is a broad range of state-of-the-art driver assistance and communication systems, including the Bluetooth online car phone that connects with the internet.
Fisher won’t be around the see this car; he leaves EMD in a couple of weeks to take up a role in Italy with Lamborghini. He’s had almost six years with Audi, the first three as sales manager, and in that time has seen he four circle brand bump out BMW as the preferred premium German.
Audi isn’t alone in using Geneva to show off a NZ-bound performance model. BMW is also showing off the latest M6 – a two-door M5, in essence that will be sold as a coupe or convertible. It has the M5’s bi-turbo 4.4-litre V8, producing a stout 389kW at 5750rpm and 680Nm at just 1500rpm.
The coupe passes 100kmh in just 4.2 seconds and 200kmh in 12.6 seconds. Top speed is governed to 250kmh, although the M Driver's Package will up that to just over 300kmh.
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