Audi RS4 2007 News

   

Like its forebears the third-generation RS 4 Avant combines potent performance with a high level of everyday practicality. The 4.2-litre V8 produces 331kW of power and transfers this power to the road through a seven-speed S tronic tranmission and quattro permanent all-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive system features a 60 per cent bias towards the rear wheels for a sportier feel. The Audi RS 4 Avant uses the same high-revving, normally aspirated V8 engine that powers the RS5 Coupe. The 4163cc powerplant produces 331kW at 8250 revs and maximum torque of 430Nm is available from 4000 to 6000 revs. The responsive V8 with its red-painted cylinder head covers accelerates the RS 4 Avant from zero to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds on its way to a governed top speed of 250 km/h. This can however be increased to 280 km/h upon request. Hand-built at Audi's plant in Gyor, Hungary, the 4.2 FSI engine combines its impressive power with exemplary efficiency, consuming on average less than 11 litres of fuel per 100km. With its high efficiency and long top gear, the standard seven-speed S tronic also contributes to the vehicle's good fuel economy. Drivers can let the lightning-fast dual-clutch transmission shift automatically or change gears manually using the selector lever or the paddles on the steering wheel. For explosive starts, drivers can also activate Launch Control, which manages the engagement of the clutch at an optimum starting speed and minimum wheel slip. The Audi RS 4 Avant is planned to arrive in Australia in the first quarter of 2013. Pricing and specification details will be announced closer to launch.  

Power for the beast is expected to come from either the same 4.2-litre V8 found in the RS5, or a twin-turbo V6 with similar outputs.The prototype also shows the lights and grille that will appear on all models in the A4/S4 range.

The two-door newbie joins the existing C63 sedan and wagon that have made the V8-powered hotrod a long-term success in Australia, and contributed to one of the best AMG sales rates anywhere in the world. Previewed at the Australian International Motor Show, after a last- minute flight from Germany, the C63 Coupe is still more than two months away from local driveways and an inevitable local shootout with the rival BMW M3. But it is touting a powerplant with 336 kiloWatts and 600 Newton- metres in a two-door body that joins the regular C-Class lineup next month. Mercedes-Benz buyers are expected to rush to the new coupe - in both forms - but the company sees extra growth potential in the C63. "The reason we air-freighted that car to Australia for the show was because people wanted to see it. You don't pay the equivalent of three Qantas business-class airfares just to fill a spot on the stand," says David McCarthy, spokesman for Mercedes-Benz Austraslia. "There are people who want the Coupe. It's a spot that's been lacking in our range. The C63 comes in September, a month after the regular Coupe." While shoppers will line the C63 up against BMW's benchmark two-door M3, McCarthy is almost dismissive of the rival. "People see the coupe as a competitor to the M3, but we don't see it that way. It only sells about one-third of our C63 volume, so the M3 is only a niche player." AMG sales are continuing to boom through the first half of 2011 and the addition of the C63 is expected to produce a new record total at the end of the year. "It only depends on supply. Last year we did 507 C63s, with about 50 Estates, and we have more than 30 orders for the two-door. With the new Coupe I expect that last year's figure will be surpassed, but it's too early in the year to say." The motor show car was displayed in plain Diamond White, but there was plenty of colour at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre with a special CLS coupe in Le Mans red, and even a tiny Smart ForTwo in the Jaffa orange - part of a $5000 tickle - used for a special AMG CLK at last year's Sydney show. Away from the hotrod hero, Benz confirmed at the show that the starting price for the all-new SLK would be coming down by $10,000. Even so, it was a fully-loaded SLK 200 - with Fire Opal paintwork and the costly new high-tech 'sky roof' - that was rolled into the spotlight. "It just continues our price-value strategy. That's what customers want: more equipment and better value. We had an opportunity with that car, again, to provide that," says McCarthy. Pricing for the new C-Class Coupe is also set from less than $70,000 for the C250 CDI, with the promise of 5.1 litres/100km economy and CO2 emissions from 134 grams/kilometre. "The Coupe will come in August, complete with the new facia, transmission change and 1000-plus other improvements that have just come in the sedan. We're doing them all at once - sedan, wagon and then coupe," says McCarthy. No-one at Benz is naming the price for the racey red CLS, as the paint alone - applied on the company's G-Class four-wheel drive production line - cost an extra $30,000. The car, tweaked from the Designo catalogue, is likely to follow last year's Jaffa hero car into a special display and sales program after its time at the motor show.

Car names are apparently a minefield of hidden meanings, which would do justice to an automotive Da Vinci Code. That's if you believe the assertions of various regular posters who populate online forums, slanging away at each other's favourite badge.On the Australian sites, there's naturally a lot of the Red vs Blue from the Holden and Ford camps.Holden stands for “Hope Our Luck Doesn't End Soon,” according to somebody called FPVgal, who also claims Ford means “First On Race Day,” only to be corrected by Monaro05, who says it actually means “First on Recall Day”.You thought BMW was an acronym for Bayerische Motoren Werke, not so, it seems. Bought My Wife, Big Money Waste, Bavarian Manure Wagon; take your pick. In crime-ridden South Africa, it's Break My Windows. Audi goes All Unnecessary Devices Installed, or Accelerates Under Demonic Influence, having driven the scorching RS4, we'd agree with the latter.Chevrolet has a long list, but all along the theme of Condition Hopeless, Entire Vehicle Relies On Lousy Engineering Techniques.Any Dodge is apparently Dead On Day Guarantee Expires.Fiat? Fix It Again, Tony.A Honda fan claims it stands for Hallmark Of Non-Destructible Automobiles, but is swatted down with Hang On, Not Done Accelerating, by one who's obviously never had their foot on the pedal of the ballistic little Civic Type R.Hyundai is tagged with Hope You Understand Nothing's Driveable and Inexpensive; Kia gets Kick It Again.There's more. But some of it isn't suitable for a family website and some might even be rejected by the upstanding editors of Bikini Babes With Big Pistons.Luckily, it's all in cyberspace, so no real blood is ever spilled. But the only other public entertainment that comes anywhere near offering this amount of fantasy, insults, threats, lies and exaggeration is the coming federal election campaign.Happily, that promises to have even less basis in reality. 

More than $1 million dollars worth of luxury Audi vehicles rolled into Darwin on May 2 as part of the company's push to raise awareness of the brand in regional areas of AustraliaAudi Australia has achieved its fourth all-time record sales result, as the month of April drew to a close.Closing the month with sales of 605 units, Audi is now 41 per cent ahead of its April 2006 result, or 177 units.Cumulatively, the brand is now 41 per cent ahead of the same period last year, up 740 units to 2536 units for the year.Audi Australia's managing director Joerg Hofmann said the result is yet another sign of confidence in the Audi brand in Australia.A further sign of commitment from the German luxury brand in Australia is the recent appointment of AP Eagers/Stuart Motor Group in the Northern Territory.The dealership, officially known as `Audi Centre Darwin', is headed by dealer principal David Russell.“AP Eagers prides itself on customer satisfaction and service excellence and will bring a professional sales and aftersales model to Audi customers in Darwin and the Northern Territory,” Mr Russell said.“Audi is the fastest-growing luxury brand in Australia and will end 2007 with another year of record growth.“The growth of Audi in the market is a clear sign of growing interest in the brand from the luxury car-buying public and the Northern Territory is another important region to assist Audi in its mission to become the No.1 premium brand.”Audi is yet to launch several key new models this year, including the new TT Roadster, Audi S3, Audi A5/S5, Audi R8 and the new Q7 4.2 TDI quattro.Another feather in the cap of the new Audi Centre Darwin is the Audi Roadshow, which showcases the most sought-after models for prospective customers, including the rare Audi S6, TT Coupe and RS 4 models.The roadshow aims to build awareness of the Audi brand around the country, particularly in relation to its top-most models.The roadshow will be in Darwin until May 14 and any interested Audi customers are encouraged to visit David and the team at Audi Centre Darwin to arrange a personal appointment for a test-drive.An official dealership opening cocktail party will be held on Tuesday.Audi Australia's regional sales manager Peter Barron and regional after-sales manager Robert Montgomery will attend the event. Be sure not to miss the AUDI ROADSHOW, showcasing the eight vehicles listed below, at Audi Centre Darwin on the Stuart Highway, Berrimah, until May 14AUDI A3 3.2 V6 Quattro S TronicCharacterised by the sporting elegance of a coupe and the versatility of a five-door vehicle, sophisticated technology and well-defined driving dynamicsDIMENSIONS: L: 4286. W: 1763, H: 1423. wheelbase 2578m.ENGINE: 3.2 V6 developing 184kW (250bhp), 320Nm. 0-100km/h in 6.3sec. Maximum speed 250km/h (governed).TRANSMISSION: Quattro permanent four-wheel drive with electronically controlled multi-plate clutch, electronic diff lock.PRICE: $65,500.AUDI RS4 AVANT 4.2 V8 QuattroThis is a thoroughbred sports saloon with supreme everyday qualities.ENGINE: With maximum output of 309 kilowatts (420 bhp), the 4163cc, V8 revs to 8250rpm and reaches peak torque of 430Nm at 5500rpm, with 90 per cent of total torque available between 2250-7600rpm. 0-100km/h in 4.8secs and 200km/h in 16.6sec. Top speed is limited electronically to 250 km/h.TRANSMISSION: Latest generation of Audi's permanent four-wheel drivePRICE: $168,100.AUDI CABRIOLET 3.2 V6 FSI MultitronicNewly designed body with emphatically sporty stylingDIMENSIONS: L: 4573mm, H: 1391mm, w'base 2650mm. Luggage compartment: 315L (246L with the hood open).ENGINES: 3.2 FSI V6 developing 188kW (255bhp), 330Nm, 0-100km/h: 6.8s. Top speed: 250km/h (governed).TRANSMISSION: 7-speed continuously variable multitronic automatic transmission (in combination with front-wheel drive). Front-wheel drive.PRICE: $107,800.AUDI A6 AVANT 3.2 V6 FSI Quatro TiptronicAudi A6 allroad quattro. New, distinctly sporty designDIMENSIONS: L: 4.93m, W: 1.86m, H: 1.46-1.52m, wheelbase 2.83m.ENGINES: Powerful 3.0 V6 TDI developing 171kW (233bhp), 450Nm. TRANSMISSION: 6-speed tiptronic gearbox. Quattro permanent four-wheel drive for all engine versions.PRICE: $109,150.AUDI S6 5.2 V10 Quattro TiptronicDistinct sports appeal, elegant style and supreme comfortENGINE: 5.2L V10 engine with FSI technology. This is the first time a V10 engine has been incorporated into a member of the A6 family. Output of 320kW at 6800 rpm and peak torque of 540Nm achieved between 3000-4000 rpm. 0 to 100km/h in 5.2secs. Top speed: 250km/h.TRANSMISSION: Latest generation of quattro permanent four-wheel drive with asymmetric/dynamic torque split.PRICE: $195,900.AUDI A8 4.2 TDI Quattro TiptronicPowerfully dynamic, elegant design.DIMENSIONS: L 4.43 m, W 1.90 m, H 1.25 m, wheelbase 2.65 mENGINES: High-revving V8 developing 309kW (420bhp), 430Nm between 4500 and 6000rpm. Acceleration 4.6secs. Top speed: 301km/hTRANSMISSION: Six-speed manual gearbox with short gearshift travel. R tronic sequential gearbox (optional). quattro permanent four-wheel drive, perfect weight distribution 44 per cent to 56 per cent.PRICE: $210,000.AUDI Q7 4.2 V8 FSI Quattro TiptronicPowerful yet elegant exterior and interior design.DIMENSIONS: L: 5.09m, W: 1.98m, H: 1.74m, wheelbase 3.00m. Five, six or seven seats available.ENGINE: 4.2 V8 FSI developing 257kW (350bhp), 440Nm at 3500 rpm.TRANSMISSION: 6-speed tiptronic transmission, quattro permanent four-wheel drive with asymmetric/dynamic torque split.PRICE: $116,800.AUDI TT 3.2 V6 Quattro S-TronicNew dynamic, striking exterior and interior design. Body using innovative ASF principle incorporating aluminium and steel, with roadster-specific reinforcements.DIMENSIONS: L: 4.18m, WL 1.84m, H: 1.36m, wheelbase 2.47m.ENGINES: 3.2 V6 developing 184kW (250bhp), 320Nm.TRANSMISSION: Six-speed S tronic quattro permanent four-wheel drive for the V6 versionPRICE: $88,900.