2006 Audi RS4 - The NEW 'Beast'

[MrElussive]

Hey,

Here are pictures of the new 2006 Audi RS4. It will arrive here this summer. 420hp 4.2L V8 (yep, 100hp/liter from a V8 ), 311 pound feet of torque, 8,250rpm redline and a 6-speed manual transmission. I guarantee you this car will replace the M5's title as "the beast." This is going to be SUCH an amazing ride...as if the Audi S4 wasn't amazing enough, this new RS4 is just RIDICULOUS....I <3 this car.

Pictures:

"With a 4.2-liter V8 under its newly reshaped nose, the RS4 is the new undisputed king of compact sport sedans. Consider that its normally aspirated direct-injection eight-cylinder cranks out 414 horsepower, 311 pound-feet of torque and doesn't hit the redline until 8,250 rpm. Then factor in its standard six-speed manual, self-locking Torsen center differential and driver-adjustable throttle control and you've got a Euro sedan that will wipe the asphalt with an M3. Additional upgrades include a recalibrated suspension that lowers the car just over an inch, wider front and rear tracks, a heavy dose of bodywork and unique double-spoke wheels. All RS4s also get Audi's Dynamic Ride Control system and a pair of 14.3-inch brake rotors up front for stopping power that can put you through the windshield if you sneeze the wrong way. Interior changes are minimal, but effective. The sport steering wheel looks like it came straight out of Audi's Le Mans prototype thanks to its unique shape and metallic trim. The flat-bottomed wheel also puts the driver-adjustable throttle control right at the tips of your fingers. A starter button, metallic pedals and lightweight sport seats with inflatable side bolsters round out the cabin upgrades."
-Edmunds.com

Link: http://www.edmunds.com/future/2005/...tml?tid=edmunds.f.photos.leftsidenav..0.Audi*

Hit "Photos" to see the pictures, and a few pictures of a red RS4.

Notes: US-spec cars are NOT getting the straight-cut wheel at the bottom. We will have a regular steering wheel. US-spec cars are NOT getting the full Recaro racing seats - you can barely see them in the pictures (not even), but they are full racing seats up front and we are not getting them. This is my opinion, but I think we will get a different set of wheels compared to those displayed in the pictures.


Thanks,
MrElussive

 

[tool fan]

414HP and a price tag to boot......rumor has it that the German Population will pay better than a 100k euro for this ride. Helluva price to pay for performance that you can really only use on a track. I would be scared to own one, I am crazy enough as it is with a 3rd of the HP.

 

[wood_e]

OMG... my pants!

 

[Wadula]

repost [joke]

amazing car and yes, price will be quite high

 

[Chesty Bonds]

Wow the interior just looks so much more convincing than the BMW ones these days, and that flat-bottomed steering wheel is just sensational.

Standard six-speed gearbox also seems to appeal to the true driving enthusiast more than the new BMW ///M cars, which I find extremely dissapointing...

 

[MrElussive]

Standard six-speed gearbox also seems to appeal to the true driving enthusiast more than the new BMW ///M cars, which I find extremely dissapointing...

 

[Chesty Bonds]

^^ Yeah i'm referring to the lack of a fully manual option on current and future BMW M cars. What I mean is that I think it's apalling that BMW will only offer the M5 or M6 in SMG form. Future M cars are likely to only be offered with SMG and I think Audi has taken away a lot from BMW by offering it's current performance cars with at least the option of a standard manual tranny.

 

[bahnstormer]

it'll never compete with the m5 because this is the size of a jetta... =\
m3 vs rs4
m5 vs rs6
that's the way it works in the germany

 

[MrElussive]

Chesty, I know exactly what you mean. I posted a similar opinion, but in Kirby's "Audi S6" thread in General Car Chat if ya wanna check it out. There are two things about sports cars nowadays that seem to not go hand-in-hand at all anymore: that is the actual driving experience and actual performance. When BMW tells us they are only giving us SMG with the M Cars, we all know it is better performance-wise, but it takes away from the driving experience. I think there is still a large demand for modern-day sports cars to still be enjoyable to drive...BMW seems to be willing to sacrifice the experience for better numbres on paper, but I am glad Audi wants to preserve "the driving experience".

bahn, the new Audi RS4 weighs almost 4,000lbs...it is, well, a heavy beast. I also can never give the "beast" title to a car that is SMG-only. No raw beast personality to the car if the shifting is done for me.

 

[bmw046series]

Pretty techno-luxurious but it still is an Audi - THERE ARE TO MANY AUDI'S ON THE ROAD!

From the side it has this New Jetta and New 3er look too it, wonder if they all are the same?

 

[Kirby]

Wow the interior just looks so much more convincing than the BMW ones these days, and that flat-bottomed steering wheel is just sensational.

...

Keep in mind that this is a VERY expensive car. You can't even begin to compare the interiors to the current or new 3 or 5 series. IMHO, the closest camparison would be the M5.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

That New Jetta Looks Like A Toyota Corolla!!!!!!!!

 

[jrt67ss350]

Keep in mind that this is a VERY expensive car. You can't even begin to compare the interiors to the current or new 3 or 5 series. IMHO, the closest camparison would be the M5.

While this is a VERY expensive car, the fact of the matter is that the interior is identical to what you get in the $34,000 Audi A4 (minus the carbon fiber trim and the nifty steering wheel which we aren't getting in the US anyways). So, I feel that you CAN compare the interior to the new 3 or 5 series - it's the same interior that your every A4 has.

 

[deutsch100]

Wow the interior just looks so much more convincing than the BMW ones these days, and that flat-bottomed steering wheel is just sensational.

Standard six-speed gearbox also seems to appeal to the true driving enthusiast more than the new BMW ///M cars, which I find extremely dissapointing...

First...thanks for the post Mr.E

Again and again Chesty we agree. The materials and layout of the RS4 are amazing. You can just feel the thickness, plushness and quality of everything.

I do agree with the Jetta comparo. Look at that pic of the new Jetta and the new A4...is it not exactly the SAME body..just different taillights??

Like this RS4 a lot...but would rather have the new M5, M6 or E55 anyday. Honestly...I like my M3 better..but the performance numbers on this Audi are very sweet!!!

 

[deutsch100]

While this is a VERY expensive car, the fact of the matter is that the interior is identical to what you get in the $34,000 Audi A4 (minus the carbon fiber trim and the nifty steering wheel which we aren't getting in the US anyways). So, I feel that you CAN compare the interior to the new 3 or 5 series - it's the same interior that your every A4 has.

I totally 100% agree Justin. It can completely be compared to the new 3 and 5er...and they lose. BIG time!!!!

The only problem with the new A4, A6 is that they look boring IMO. The interior cannot be beat (at least quality and tactile qualities).

 

[Chesty Bonds]

While this is a VERY expensive car, the fact of the matter is that the interior is identical to what you get in the $34,000 Audi A4 (minus the carbon fiber trim and the nifty steering wheel which we aren't getting in the US anyways). So, I feel that you CAN compare the interior to the new 3 or 5 series - it's the same interior that your every A4 has.

Yeah this is exactly what I meant. Just looking at that Audi interior makes me so depressed about the 'thin' looking new BMW ones. Where's the chunkiness - which Deutsch so appropriately referred to - of the BMWs past in terms of the interior? Cars like the E38, E46, E34, etc, etc had this quality, among others.

 

[Chesty Bonds]

Chesty, I know exactly what you mean. I posted a similar opinion, but in Kirby's "Audi S6" thread in General Car Chat if ya wanna check it out. There are two things about sports cars nowadays that seem to not go hand-in-hand at all anymore: that is the actual driving experience and actual performance. When BMW tells us they are only giving us SMG with the M Cars, we all know it is better performance-wise, but it takes away from the driving experience. I think there is still a large demand for modern-day sports cars to still be enjoyable to drive...BMW seems to be willing to sacrifice the experience for better numbres on paper, but I am glad Audi wants to preserve "the driving experience".

Yeah this is just so right Elussive. I don't really care for outright performance figures, rather I'd much prefer to savour the driving experience and, to me, a manual 'box is definitely a must-have in this equation. I'm sure Deutsch agrees!

BMW should AT THE VERY LEAST offer us a standard manual transmission. Why they refuse to just makes me sick to my stomach.

 

[deutsch100]

Yeah this is exactly what I meant. Just looking at that Audi interior makes me so depressed about the 'thin' looking new BMW ones. Where's the chunkiness - which Deutsch so appropriately referred to - of the BMWs past in terms of the interior? Cars like the E38, E46, E34, etc, etc had this quality, among others.

Today we have a loaner car while the Z8 is being serviced...a 2005 X3 3.0 that is quite loaded. No offense to anyone on the board with an X3 (want to say that up front) BUT...

compare the materials on the X3 door with any E46, 5 series, 7 series, 6 series and especially X5. The doors and materials feel like a DDR (GDR) Trabant. I was shocked when I saw and felt them today. These materials are the same on the Z4...and looks like similar in the new E90. Without starting another heated argument, I do not believe anyone that says these new models have the same quality, craftsmanship and feel as older BMWs, all Audis, Porsche, Mercedes.... I know-get off my soap box, but after spending the whole day in a brand new loaded X3....I feel like crying.
When I got into my M3 after the X3...I felt like I was in a padded, leather bank vault. I couldn't stop touching all the materials. Look at the interior door pulls/handles in the X3 and Z4...and compare it with other BMW models...and with EVERY other German car (even the Golf). You will understand just from the door handle that BMW quality is in the crapper. The X3 does drive nice, and I like the exterior looks. Just don't open the door

 

[blondboinsd]

Am I the only one who notices the manuel rear windows? CHEAP ASS! and btw just buying a 3.0I Z4 I feel the interior materials are quite nice and I've driving both an X5 3.0I which I still own and an E46 325I and I feel the materials in the Z are very durable, much more then the 3-series but also quite nice

 

[Kirby]

While this is a VERY expensive car, the fact of the matter is that the interior is identical to what you get in the $34,000 Audi A4 (minus the carbon fiber trim and the nifty steering wheel which we aren't getting in the US anyways). So, I feel that you CAN compare the interior to the new 3 or 5 series - it's the same interior that your every A4 has.

I understand what you're saying, and in my mind we are really saying the same thing. A4=325/330 trim level; RS4 = M3/M5 trim level, M5 performance. The visual appearance is sharp in the RS4, no question. But the RS4 interior trim level is not the same as the A4. You just cited examples as to why.

A big part of that visual appeal are the items you mention that are not in a 3 series, Carbon Fiber, the funky steering wheel (which looks great but is useless, actually a handicap, for true performance driving), and the stainless steel pedals.

I've looked at and sat in both the E90 and the A4. The A4 interior is "chiseled", the E90 interior is "sculptured". The A4 is more aggressive and "chunky" and it may be more appealing to some tastes, but how does that translate into "better quality"?

I'm not knocking the RS4 (except for the steering wheel and the Edsel Grille), I just don't get why it's being used to slam the BMWs.