Audi RS4 Technologies
RS4 B5 (1999 - 2002)
RS4 Avant based on the platform of B5
In 2000 Audi introduced RS4 as a successor of RS2 that was presented in the mid 90ies at the same time as Porsche. Unlike its predecessor RS2 RS4 was a 100% product made by Audi quattro GmbH subsidiary production unit that has been responsible for Audi sports models since the end of the 90ies. This car just as its predecessor could be Avant that station wagon only and was based on A4 B5 platform. 2.7-liter V6 motor known as Cosworth (S4 (B5) featured it) was restyled especially for RS version. Crosworth motor belonged to Volkswagen group at that time, by the way.
What is more, the car was provided with a forced turbo-charger, charge air cooler, improved cylinder heads, new exhaust pipe system, and improved engine`s systems control. S4 (B5) boasted of 380 hp (280 kilowatt and 440 Nm at 2500 revolutions per minute) instead of 265 hp it used to produce (195 kilowatt and 400 Nm at 1850 revolutions) as a result of restyling.
RS4 B5 was provided with a 6-speed gearbox and with a full-time all-wheel drive (quattro) just as its predecessor. Capacious engine assures a sports car`s characteristics although 1 620 kg is rather a lot. It takes 4.9 seconds for RS4 B5 to do 0-100 km/h.
RS4 (B5) was taken out of production in 2001 after 6030 cars were produced. Originally, it was planned to produce twice as little as they produced however the model appeared to have been in much demand that Audi doubled the output. The last cars produced were registered as 2002 model year cars.
RS4 B7 (was put into production in 2005)
RS4 Avant (B7)
In 2005 after a 3-year production break Audi introduced a new RS4 based on the platform of A4 B7. There was Avant cabriolet introduced in the middle of 2006.
Audi starts making its way towards high revolution motors production starting from new 4.2-liter V8 engine RS was provided with (8.250 revolutions per minute is the maximum). All previous RS models were provided with a turbo-charger. Thanks to direct injection (FSI) RS4 produces 420 hp at 7800 revolutions per minute while its torque makes up 430 Nm at 5500 revolutions.
Acceleration (Limo Avant Cabriolet)
0-100 km/h: 4.8 s 4.9 s 4.9 s
0-200 km/h: 16.6 s 17.5 s 16.9 s
Vmax: 250 km/h 250 km/h 250 km/h
Bare weight: 1650 kg 1710 kg 1845 kg
Unlike its predecessor RS4 B7 boasts of 40:60 weight distribution featuring full-time all-wheel drive (quattro).
RS4 was at first provided with a 6-speed manual gearbox with no options available. Modern RS4 is provided with Dynamic Ride Control system just as RS6. It is used to compensate the body swaying.
And that`s what concerns the prices: about 70.000 euro per limo and some 71.500 euro for Avant (as for June, 2006).
