Geneva 2012: Audi RS4

The Audi RS5 is a fantastic V8 powered coupe and a worthy alternative to the BMW M3. It isn't the most practical way of getting five people and holiday luggage from A-B at lightning speed however, which is why Audi have resurrected this, the RS4.

The recipe is simple. Lift the naturally aspirated 4.2 V8 (which produces 444bhp and 317lb ft of torque) out of the A5 coupe and slot it into the A4 Avant. This means that this load lugger can go from 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds and up to a limited top speed of 155mph. If you wish to pay Audi a small fee to get rid of the limiter then the car will then be able to reach 174mph. The RS4 also shares the RS5's specially calibrated seven-speed S-tronic gearbox and you also get launch control as standard.

On the outside there are a few subtle clues that showcase this Avant's potential including the most obvious difference, the very shiny diamond mesh grille. Other differences include new 19-inch alloys, slightly flared wheel arches, LED headlamps, aluminium-like wing mirrors and twin oval tailpipes at the back.

Step inside and it is just like any other A4 only you get RS badges on the flat-bottomed steering wheel and on the gear stick plus bespoke body hugging sports seats and Piano Black trim surrounding the instruments and media screen.

Prices will start at around £55,000 putting the RS4 in direct competition with the Mercedes C63 AMG Estate, which has a bigger 6.2 V8 with around 40 more brake horsepower. Unlike the mad Merc wagon though, the RS4 comes with Quattro all-wheel drive and you can get it with options such as a rear Quattro sports differential and adjustable dampers.

The sad news for the saloon fans is the fact that Audi will not make the RS4 in your favourite body style as sales of the previous RS4 Avant were better than the old saloon variant.

Images Courtesy of Autoblog