Audi RS 4
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.
RS4 models have been produced for every generation of the A4 since 1999, with occasional gaps in production
Its main market competitors include the BMW M3, Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG, Lexus IS-F and Cadillac ATS-V.
B5 (''Typ'' 8D, 1999–2001)
The original B5 Audi RS 4 Avant quattro was introduced by Audi in late 1999, for main production and sale from 2000, as the successor to the Porsche / Quattro GmbH joint venture-developed Audi RS2 Avant. Like its predecessor, the RS 4 was available only as an Avant and was built on an existing platform, in this case, the Volkswagen Group B5 platform shared with the A4 and S4. Retail price was around DM 103,584. The RS 4 was available for sale in most of Europe, parts of Asia and in some Latin American countries.Audi produced 6,030 units between 1999 and 2001.
B5 bodywork and styling
Although related to the B5 S4, many of the outer body panels were altered, with wider front and rear wheel arches to allow for the wider axle track on the RS 4. With unique front and rear bumpers and side sills, and the rear spoiler from the S4 Avant, the aerodynamic modifications achieved a drag coefficient of Cd 0.34. Although the B5 S4 came in a saloon car body style, the B5 RS 4 was only available in the Avant version.Luggage space, measured according to the industry standard VDA method was with the rear seats in the upright position, and with the seats folded flat.
B5 powertrain
The engine was developed from the 2.7 litre 90° V6 'biturbo' used in the B5 S4. It displaced and had five valves per cylinder. The engine was developed and manufactured in the UK by Cosworth Technology. It featured aluminium alloy ALSi7Mg cylinder heads, cast by Cosworth, with enlarged intake ports and smaller exhaust ports, two parallel BorgWarner K04-series turbochargers, two larger side-mounted intercoolers, dished piston crowns, stronger connecting rods, larger intake ducting, an enlarged exhaust system, and a re-calibrated engine management system. The modifications increased the engine's output from and of torque to at 7,000 rpm and at 6,000 rpm. The engine was controlled by a Bosch Motronic ME 7.1 electronic engine control unit, using a Bosch 'E-Gas' electronic drive by wire throttle. It had multipoint sequential fuel injection, a mass airflow sensor, and six individual ignition coils. The engine oil was cooled by oil to water and oil to air coolers.A six-speed manual transmission , cooled by a NACA duct in the engine undertray, and Audi's Torsen-based quattro system, using the Torsen T-1 "automatic torque biasing" center differential, with a 50:50 default bias were standard. Final drive ratio was 4.111.
The RS 4 has a curb weight of. It can accelerate from 0- in 4.9 seconds, 0- in 11.3 seconds, and 0- in 17.0 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to.
B5 brakes, wheels and tyres
Brakes were also developed jointly in house by Audi's quattro GmbH, not by Porsche as with its predecessor, the RS2. At the front they were radially vented and floating cast iron discs, diameter and thick, with double-piston floating calipers, and at the rear by discs with a single-piston floating caliper. The RS 4 needed less than to come to a full stop from a speed of.The standard wheels were 18 inch alloy wheels, with 255/35 ZR18 high performance tyres. Optional "winter" alloy wheels were also available, at 18 inch, with tyres.
Other B5 notable features
- "Sideguard", Audi's curtain airbag system.
- Xenon High-Intensity Discharge headlamps.
B7 (''Typ'' 8E, 2006–2008)
The RS 4 became available to European customers in mid-2006. It was introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in January, and arrived in June 2006 in North America. The production run of the B7 RS 4 was 2006 to 2008 inclusive, although only 2007 and 2008 model year were sold in the United States. Approximately 10,000 B7 RS 4s were built, of which around 2,000 are in the USA.
The B7 RS 4 Cabriolet was sold in Europe from late 2006 to 2008. It was also available in the US in limited numbers per year and sold at a premium of $2000 over the list.
Audi factory numbers indicate that the B7 RS 4 saloon can accelerate from in 4.8 seconds, and arrive at in 16.6 seconds. Most European magazines recorded results in line with the November 2009 comparison of "ultimate sedans" in Road & Track, which recorded a 0 to time of 4.5 seconds. For the Avant, is reached in 4.9 seconds. Top speed for all variants is "officially" electronically limited to.
B7 bodywork and styling
The B7 RS 4 is an almost complete departure from previous Audi "RS" cars, as it was initially available as a four-door five-seat saloon/sedan; with a five-door five-seat Avant, and two-door four-seat Cabriolet versions arriving later. Only the Audi RS 6 had taken this similar route before, unlike the previous RS 4 and RS2, which were available exclusively as Avants.Constructed from fully galvanised steel unibody, the B7 RS 4 uses aluminium for its front wings and bonnet. The saloon version features a drag coefficient of 0.31, from a frontal area of 2.17 m2.
The B7 RS 4 differs visually from the standard B7 S4, by having even wider flared front and rear wheel arches, to allow for a wider axle track. Over the B7 A4, it also includes two larger frontal side air intakes. The B7 RS 4 also includes optional adaptive headlights, which swivel around corners in conjunction with steering wheel movements. An acoustic parking system with front and rear sensors is also a standard fitment. Unique carbon fiber interior trims, along with a lap timer within the central Driver Information System, aluminium pedal caps and footrest, and RS 4 logos complete the look.
In the saloon, luggage space, measured according to the VDA 'block method', is with the rear seats in the upright position, and with the seats folded flat. For the Avant, is available with the seats upright, and being available with the rear seats folded flat. Kerb weight of the saloon variant starts at.
A Bose ten-speaker sound system, with 190 watt output and automatic dynamic noise compensation, with "Concert II" radio and single CD player is standard equipment. Additional options include the "Symphony II" system which features twin radio tuners, a single-slot loading six-CD changer, and a cassette player all integrated into a double-DIN sized unit. The RNS-E "Audi Navigation System plus" DVD-ROM GPS was also available.
B7 interior safety
To achieve maximum body stiffness with controlled deformation crumple zones, the B7 RS 4 features laser beam welding of major seams of the high-strength steel body shell, which helps improve overall structural rigidity, particularly in the "passenger cell", over traditional spot welding methods.Two-stage driver and front-seat passenger frontal airbags are standard, as is Audi's "side guard" head protection curtain airbag system. This latter system completely covers all of the side windows, from the front "A" pillar to the rear "C-" or "D pillars". The Recaro shell-type RS race bucket seats include electrically inflatable upper and lower side bolsters and adjustable lumbar support. In North America, the only front seats available are the more traditional Recaro seats, which include lower side airbags. Lower side airbags are optional for the standard-fit Recaro rear seats. Front and outer rear seatbelts include pyrotechnic belt pretensioners.
B7 powertrain
The 32v V8 engine of the B7 RS 4 is based on the previous all-alloy 40v V8 from the B6 S4, and shares many parts, and Fuel Stratified Injection, with the 4.2 FSI V8 engine in the Q7. The engine includes new cylinder block construction, and is a highly reworked, high-revving variant.The same engine base was used for the Audi R8 when Audi chose to build their first supercar. However, the camshaft drive system was moved to the front of the block for the mid-engine R8.
The engine has increased crankcase breathing, a low-pressure fuel return system and a baffled oil sump, to prevent engine lubricant cavitation at high engine speeds and high-G cornering. It has four valves per cylinder and two overhead camshafts on each cylinder bank, which are driven by roller chains with variable valve timing for both inlet and exhaust camshafts, along with a cast magnesium alloy fixed tract length intake manifold with adjustable tumble flaps. On 98 RON Super-Unleaded petrol it produces at 7,800 rpm, giving it a specific power output of per litre. Based on a kerb weight of, this results in a power-to-weight ratio of 0.184 kW per kg. Exhaust gas escapes through two '4-into-2-into-1' fan-branch steel exhaust manifolds and four high-flow catalytic converters, into twin oval tail pipes with dynamic silencer/muffler valves. The engine is controlled by two Bosch DI-Motronic electronic engine control units. The ignition system uses eight individual single-spark coils using mapped direct ignition. The saloon version produces 322-329 grams of CO2 per kilometre, and the Avant starts from 324 g/km.
A 6-speed Getrag manual transmission is the only transmission available. The gear ratios are 1st: 3.667, 2nd: 2.211, 3rd: 1.520, 4th: 1.133, 5th: 0.919, 6th: 0.778.
The Audi B7 RS 4 was the only "RS" Audi powered by a naturally aspirated engine until the Audi RS5 was presented at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.