Automobiles Review

Tag: Audi RS4

  • Volkswagen Golf R is the safest car on wet roads

    VW-Golf-R_thumbVW-Golf-R_651

    Drivers in the Northern Hemisphere of the world now face winter, which always brings months of road challenges that include fog, ice, snow and rain. Most people will keep on driving even in these conditions so having a safe car for challenging roads is essential if you want to get from point A to point B with no problems at all. This is especially true if you own a performance car too.

    Choosing one such car is now a bit easier thanks to the efforts of the British automobile magazine Autocar. According to it, the safest wet road performance car is the Volkswagen Golf R. The result was achieved after extensive testing that included various other models such as the MINI Cooper, Audi RS4, Porsche 911 Carrera 4S, Range Rover Sport, Toyota GT86 and Nissan GT-R. The safety test included five separate challenges at a manufacturer test facility at MIRA Proving Ground. We should also say that the cars tested used tires chosen by the vehicle manufacturer.

    All cars underwent tests that included control over stopping from highway speeds of 70 mph (113 km/h), stability when accelerating, braking on ice-like conditions at lower speeds, level of lateral grip when cornering and precision around a circuit.

    VW’s four-wheel-drive Golf R, which costs GBP 31,970 and produces 296 bhp (300 HP/220 kW), performed the best across all five tests, with the rear-wheel-drive GBP 24,995, 197 bhp (200 HP/147 kW) Toyota GT86 the worst. Running the VW Golf R close was the GBP 88,400 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S with exception for the Lateral Grip tests where it’s rear-biased weight distribution unsettled its handling.

    “Driving conditions can become hugely challenging very quickly for drivers of sportier and higher performance vehicles. It is very easy to get caught out,” explains Chas Hallett, editor-in-chief of Autocar. “Advanced electronics certainly aid the driver, and winter tyres will improve grip, but drivers still need to drive within their limits and abilities, not the cars.”

    Source: Autocar

  • New Audi RS 4 Avant

    Audi-RS4-Avant-thumbIt has been 3 years since the RS4 got off Audi’s production line but today we can indulge ourselves once again in the roar of a V8, shelled by a familiar body – It’s the new Audi RS4. The resurrection kicks off with an Avant version which is here to show it’s rivalries what’s what.

    The RS4 is back with a bang as it gets the powertrain usually found in the RS5 Coupe – a hand-built 4.1 liter plant, producing 450 PS at 8,250 rpm and 430 Nm of torque from 4,000 to 6,000 rpm. In true RS tradition, that power goes trough a permanent Quattro AWD system. The ‘permanent’ term however, should not scare you off as the Quattro in the latest RS4 is exceptionally flexible – it incoroprates a self-locking crown-gear centre differential that allows up to 85 percent of the power to go to the rear axle or up to 70 towards the front wheels. By default, one would find that the power bias ratio is 40:60 in favor of the back wheels. So for the people who like to travel sideways everywhere that is a relief.

    The whole power thing translates into a time of 4.7 seconds for the 0 to 60 mph sprint and a top speed of 174 mph (limited to 155 mph). Stunning performance, keeping in mind that this estate returns 25.7mpg on the combined cycle.

    Compared to the standard A4, the RS4 is 20 mm lower thanks to the truly complex suspension – a five-link set-up at the front and a self-tracking trapezoidal-link rear assembly. We don’t know what all that means but chances are its beneficial. The power steering is clever too. It has a conscious mind that takes into account the current speed of the car to determine the steering firmness.

    Audi RS4 Avant (2013)
    Audi RS4 Avant (2013)

    The car sits on 19-inch (20-inch optional) wheels wrapped in four 265/35-series tires. The 10-spoke design of the wheels are rather revealing and it’s not like the Audi hasn’t got anything to hide. We are talking about internally vented wave disc brakes – an innovation in stopping power as the brakes are around 3 kg lighter (in total weight) and more heat-efficient due to their “wave” outer, perforated contour.

    Inside, black is the predominant finish with occasional carbon inlays and chrome clasps lining the switches and buttons. One would also find that the front sports seats are heated and that the driver information system has an RS menu with a lap timer.

    There are tons of other optional extras that might be worthwhile ticking – the Dynamic Ride Control ensures even more stability at high speeds and sharp bends and a sports exhaust system for that kid in everyone of us.

    Prices for the Audi RS4 are yet to be released and hopefully we’ll see the arrival of a sedan version so that everyone is happy. In the mean time do not hesitate to look around in the RS4 gallery.

    2013 Audi RS4 Avant
    2013 Audi RS4 Avant
    2013 Audi RS4 Avant
    2013 Audi RS4 Avant
    2013 Audi RS4 Avant

    Source: Audi

  • Capristo flap controlled sport exhaust system for Audi RS4

    Capristo Exhaust System GmbH produces top quality flap controlled sport exhaust systems, primarily for Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Mercedes, Audi, BMW etc. The Capristo sport exhaust systems for Audi RS4 (3.332,00 Euro) are entirely manufactured from the finest (polished) stainless steel and stand for outstanding accuracy of fit, sound and super visual appearance. (more…)