As the
top-dog Audi RS4 Avant has made its first appearance as a camouflaged test prototype. The RS4 will get an exterior makeover and
that’s easy to see in the photos. The most visible change is at the rear, where the
RS4 gains a new pair of LED taillights with a similar signature to the latest
Audi A6. At the front, the high-performance wagon adopts the new
three-dimensional grille as found the Q8, as well as new LED headlights. The
front bumper appears to have a new design too.
Elsewhere on the outside, the RS4 appears to look
identical with the current model, despite the camouflage tape that covers the
fenders, sills, and lower part of the doors. Typical RS4 design cues such as
the flared haunches and front fenders, massive oval exhausts, and exclusive
Audi Sport wheels will carry on.
Inside, the facelifted Audi RS4 Avant will offer the
same upgrades as the rest of the updated A4 family, including the
latest-generation infotainment system with a bigger touchscreen. Expect an
A6-inspired layout inside with three digital screens including a digital cockpit.
Obviously, the RS4 will also feature whatever tech upgrades the regular A4 will
get.
As for the powertrain, the facelifted RS4 Avant will
most likely stick with the 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 engine in the same
specification. In the current model, the power plant makes 450 PS and
600 Nm of torque.
Mated to a standard eight-speed automatic
transmission and quattro all-wheel drive, the engine enables the wagon to shoot
from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 280 km/h with the optional RS Dynamics Package. We’ll obviously learn if Audi Sport will
indeed give the RS4 some powertrain updates sometime next year when the
facelifted model is expected to launch.
