Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Audi
Audi RS4 not being cancelled
You can start the presses again. It was all a big misunderstanding. Autocar said that even though Audi hadn't admitted it, the RS4 sedan had ceased production. Don't know where their source came from, but Winding Road's source, from Audi Communications in the US, calms all of our nerves with a hearty "Have No Fear." Even though Audi is getting its larger bahn-stormer the RS6 ready for production and RS models don't usually overlap, the RS4 will complete its production run through 2008. Thank you, Winding Road, for giving us news that keep our food down today. And a wet haggis for the folks at Autocar.
[Source: Winding Road]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1337 3:35PM (6/19/2007)
Just when CTS-V engineers thought they were off the hook...
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J.Crew 3:43PM (6/19/2007)
The Audi RS4 is the best 4 door car in the world right now. End of discussion.
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john 4:00PM (6/19/2007)
I'll take my 400 hp, $35K Pontiac G8 sedan instead. Where do they get off charging so much for the RS4?
mark davis 4:06PM (6/19/2007)
John likes his pontiac. Thats funny man.
testa di cazzo 4:10PM (6/19/2007)
Let's wait till they actually make the G8, much less the G8 GT, and see how much you'll have to add to that price for basic options.
also, HP is not the be-all and end-all for how performant a car is. there's a lot more to it than just that. Why don't you test out the G8 GT before deciding it's just as good as the RS4, which has been hailed by many as one of the greatest, if not the greatest sports sedan ever built...
Sherief 3:57PM (6/19/2007)
Thank. God.
Now send me a Phantom Black RS4 Avant with the Titanium Package already!
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Mike 4:33PM (6/19/2007)
@john: did you actually mention the Pontiac G8 and the Audi RS4 in the same post? Comparatively?!
You must not come here often...or have never heard of the RS4 before...
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Torqued 4:43PM (6/19/2007)
The RS4 and upcoming G8 GT will have similar horsepower figures, therefore they should be priced about the same.
Where's the flaw in that logic?
Mike 4:49PM (6/19/2007)
@Torqued: What's the flaw in that logic? Is that a joke? Did I miss something?
I could go down the list of 1,000+ things that would make the RS4 more expensive (and better quality) than the G8 but I will stick to the obvious: AWD, suspension and interior.
I'm not saying the G8 is a crappy car (in fact it is anything but), all I am saying is that comparing it and an RS4 is unfair to the G8 in every respect except price.
MikeW 5:08PM (6/19/2007)
Problems:
weight distribution 58/42, pitch balance (the yamaha system is nice, but fix the problem-not the effects. The next S4 should), skinny tires (we were promised 265/35 18 tires, and I have seen someone shoehorn 245/40 18 on a regular A4 without rolled fenders) non-asymmetric torsen 3 center differential. It should be 40/60 nominal with 20/80 on front overrun, 55/45 on rear overrun, to combat spider bite vs. 40/60 and 15:85 & 65:35
No explanation as to how they lock the differential-clutch pack or mechanically, manually or automatically, what speeds? "100% power can be transferred to either front/rear axle"
13.1:1 steering ratio is a bit quick, especially for a 185mph car.
8 piston front brakes, and only 1 piston rears? To save weight (to improve pitch balance) by integrating the parking brake?
It is nice that the engine has a 8000 redline, and electronically controlled variable backpressure exhaust(and a button to keep it open, per your whim)
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john 5:35PM (6/19/2007)
Oh I know exactly what I'm comparing when I mention the RS4 and the G8. I'm sure at 9/10ths the RS4 is a much better car, but I highly doubt most people will actually appreciate that extra bit, especially considering the Audi is essentially twice as expensive.
Either you have the money for the RS4 and don't care what it costs, which probably means you don't care about the marginal difference in performance. Or you're like most people and shouldn't spend $80K on a daily driver with 420 hp, in which case you'd be more than content with a G8.
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chris 7:32PM (6/19/2007)
Enough people appreciate the RS4 to have the thing sold out with a waiting list of months, even years in some places. The Australian press, you know, who've actually driven the SS-V about a bazillion times, have never been so stupid as to try and compare it with the RS4 (and there's like AU$100k between them here). Read a review of the Commodore SS-V then a review of the RS4, one will say it's a good car with many flaws, the other will say it's pretty much one of the best cars in the world.
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mark davis 9:48PM (6/19/2007)
First, the original article about the rs4 being cancelled was stupid to begin with. Its is highly regarded as one of the best Autos in the last 20 years. Autoblog should have consulted more sources.
Second, I would never be caught dead in a pontiac. I dont care how much power it has or what stupid name they give it. They are just gross to look at and make me think of trailer parks. Sorry
Three, If I couldnt afford a nice car I would buy something that actually looked like it was developed and built by humans and not some weird alien race.( i.e pontiac aliens)
Ligor 9:48AM (6/20/2007)
the new M3 will whip some RS4 a$$
The comparison to the old M3 revelaed hte RS4 is faster on the track, but not as much fun to throw around as the M3
once the new V8 M3 hits the street the RS4 will again be outmatched.
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Freedman 1:56AM (6/26/2007)
You are 100% correct, the new M3 will be faster than the old RS4. Meanwhile Audi is working on the RS5 that will be shown at Geneva in a few months and will undoubtedly obliterate the new M3. It is rumored to have a 5.0 liter engine with twin turbos and 500ft/lbs torque - stock. Can you say aftermarket ECU upgrade? Good times in the German car arena... Competition is good.
Dan Stevens 10:35AM (6/20/2007)
Hi
Dan Stevens, news editor at Autocar, here. I have had clarification on this story from Audi AG (in Germany) and Audi UK.
We were originally told by Audi UK that RS4 production had ended. Audi today clarified that statement by telling us that production of the right-hand drive RS4 continues to until around September but only to fulfill existing orders. You can no longer order a new car in the UK.
As for lhd US cars, they will continue in production but I imagine it's because the RS6 won't debut in the US until after they do in Europe. We're a UK magazine and don't generally deal with the US market.
Hope this clears up any confusion
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ottomobeel 12:59AM (6/23/2007)
Holy cow it's funny as all hell to read people trying to make a sentence with the words "RS4" and "Pontiac".
Are you clowns serious? The RS4 as has been said is so many light years ahead that it's just ridiculous to be having this discussion.
Why is it every time Autoblog posts on Audi's latest feats that we get a bunch of yahoos coming around with their hatred.
It's usually silly mention of the new M3. Oooh, wow, the new M3, which by the time it actually hits the showroom floor, the RS4 will be approaching its 3rd year of production. What will these clowns say when the RS5 comes out?
Look, give us all a break. You hate on this car simply because a) you can't afford it and could never afford it, or b) Audi is shattering your reality that has for a long time included only brands like BMW or Porsche.
Get used to seeing gushing reviews of Audi performance cars, they are on an upward swing that has only just begun.
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Freedman 1:57AM (6/26/2007)
Agreed ^ Well Said.
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Cscamp20 12:47AM (6/29/2007)
Cant believe were comparing a Pontiac to an Audi! You have gotta be kidding me. Audi is totally in a diferrent league period.
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Rick 6:33PM (3/12/2008)
I love my A4, could only dream about what the joy of owning an RS4 would be.
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