According to a new review of the all-new Audi RS4, the four rings has changed the character of one of its most storied products in a big way. Well, that's what happens when you pull away some of the vehicle's admirable qualities that make it stand out from the pack.
While the last-gen car was known for being brutal and an unruly beast with its burly V8, it was a fun-filled experience almost always. Now the new car has tuned some of that out. According to Autocar, the new vehicle is "more remote" and controlled -- to get the beast back you have to up the ante when it comes to speed and RPMs.
With any sport sedan, most automakers try to "walk the tight rope." What I mean is that while they want the vehicle to be an unruly thrasher, they also want it to be a comfortable cruiser. I mean, that's the whole point right?
Some do it better than others but it sounds like the new RS4 really need you to grab it by the scruff of the neck before it really is a visceral dream machine.
The problem with that is, when you have nearly 450 ponies on tap from a magnificent V8 powerplant, that can be tough on ANY roads, unless of course it's the Autobahn.
If you were lucky enough to know the old RS4 at all, you’re going to wonder where all the vorsprung’s gone, at least at first. Drive it merely moderately fast and the RS4 is quite a remote car, especially if you make the mistake of paying extra for variable ratio dynamic steering, which appears to offer little benefit at speed and is horridly light and overly direct around town.
If you keep the engine operating in the mid-range where its one true rival, the Mercedes C63 AMG Estate is at its happiest, the V8 feels merely pleasantly fast. Moreover the ride is rather firm, even in the softest of its driver selectable settings. The motor is quiet, the gearshifts commendably slick in all three modes and the interior a paragon of ergonomic common sense. But where’s all the fun gone?
Actually the entertainment offered by the old RS4 is there, and with an added dimension, but you’ll need to look – and drive – harder to find it.
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