Should Audi Bring the RS 4 Avant to America?

[evosky]

Great pics. Would you mind if I published them on Fourtitude and added them to our photo gallery?

Incidentally, there were some pretty senior folks there from what I have herd. In the pics from Saturday that I've already seen, I can see the head of communications, the second senior most product planner and I hear that Scott Keogh (president of AoA) also turned out. I'm not sure who you spoke to, but the credibility factor was likely high.

In other news, I hear our Super Beetle project (from VWvortex) was also there. I had a conflict (a wedding) or otherwise I wish I could have made it down.

Feel free to post up. Here are some more (from the same Flickr set) that verify what you've speculated























Scott Keogh taking the RS4 back

[bwell01]

YES!!! but at what price point?

everyone is saying bring it (ME TOO) but what would you be willing to pay for an optioned rs4?

fully loaded?

nicely optioned?

base mode (if theres such a thing)l?

[NoDubJustYet]

RS 6 is currently between generations. It's out of production at the moment.

I understand that... The E63 is a massive car compared to the RS4 because they're two different classes of car.

It'd be like comparing the RS3 with a C63 AMG.

[evosky]

I understand that... The E63 is a massive car compared to the RS4 because they're two different classes of car.

It'd be like comparing the RS3 with a C63 AMG.

I agree with you, I just threw the E63 comparo out there, since it was the only one that came to mind that was available stateside or will be available in the near future (that I know of) at the moment.

[.LSinLV.]

I understand that... The E63 is a massive car compared to the RS4 because they're two different classes of car.

It'd be like comparing the RS3 with a C63 AMG.

I'm actually cross shopping this with the 911. Granted it will never be a 911, but it will provide me 9/10ths of the performance, with more utility at the same price point....plus I get AWD for free....

[Turbio!]

I'm actually cross shopping this with the 911. Granted it will never be a 911, but it will provide me 9/10ths of the performance, with more utility at the same price point....plus I get AWD for free....

I dunno about 9/10ths of the performance. The limits of the 911 are most likely quite a lot higher; whether or not you'll access them is a different question.

Personally, and this is just me....I don't think performance and utility need to be in the same package. Too much compromise there.

[Fritz27]

I dunno about 9/10ths of the performance. The limits of the 911 are most likely quite a lot higher; whether or not you'll access them is a different question.

Personally, and this is just me....I don't think performance and utility need to be in the same package. Too much compromise there.

Sometimes a man has to street race after bringing home the golden doodle from the groomer.

[.LSinLV.]

I dunno about 9/10ths of the performance. The limits of the 911 are most likely quite a lot higher; whether or not you'll access them is a different question.

Personally, and this is just me....I don't think performance and utility need to be in the same package. Too much compromise there.

as a daily, there is no reason the RS4 would be a compromise over the 911. On the track that is a different story.

I'll add that I have a 914-6 that I can have way more fun in then ANY modern 911, as it really is a drivers car.

If I'm going to spend +$70K, then I want to be coddled and still be able to drive fast and ENJOY driving fast.....plus the wife can't get mad if we need to pick up friends for dinner or the like.

[Fritz27]

as a daily, there is no reason the RS4 would be a compromise over the 911. On the track that is a different story.

I'll add that I have a 914-6 that I can have way more fun in then ANY modern 911, as it really is a drivers car.

If I'm going to spend +$70K, then I want to be coddled and still be able to drive fast and ENJOY driving fast.....plus the wife can't get mad if we need to pick up friends for dinner or the like.

I dunno, sure it's more commodious than a 911, but the backseat looks pretty pathetic. It seems like a Jetta would offer more rear room.

If you're taking people out for dinner, just bring the T-Reg.

[Shomegrown]

Yes. And I know you are biased.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...ew?redirect=no

I posted Road and Track's and Car and Driver's opinion, not mine.

So you're saying they're biased for praising a "crap" driving car?

[bzcat]

I tried to make a point in the story of trying to be realistic. I personally don't think it helps to overplay demand to make it happen because that screws us down the road for future models.

Of course not but I think is it obvious from threads like these that there is a pent up demand for S4 Avant. Some of us will buy the RS4 Avant... just because there is no S4, but I'm still pretty annoyed that Audi left us no choice. I'm in the market right now and I'm leaning towards waiting for F31 wagon. It shouldn't come down to this for someone who wants to buy Audi.

Any chance that S4 Avant will return for B9 model?

[AudiA4_18T]

auto trans, V8 with no torque and a bunch of carbon issues, count me out...

[Arju]

I dunno, sure it's more commodious than a 911, but the backseat looks pretty pathetic. It seems like a Jetta would offer more rear room.

The B8 cars are not that big. I test drove an A4 Avant and it is too small for a family car. It fits 3 people comfortably but 4 is cramped and 5 looks like punishment. My MK6 Golf has similar rear room.

My household was looking at the A4 Avant and went with an A6 Avant instead due to cabin space and a far larger trunk.

This would still make a good car if you don't have a full family.

[masa8888]

I did a double take when I saw the RS4 in our garage. Honestly, I wouldn't look too far into it. There's been all kinds of stuff here like the Polo, Scirocco, A1, etc. that didn't have a chance of being sold in the U.S. I know it's blasphemy, but a QS5 would likely sell in much higher numbers than a RS4 Avant. Wouldn't be that much slower either.

[Shomegrown]

I did a double take when I saw the RS4 in our garage. Honestly, I wouldn't look too far into it. There's been all kinds of stuff here like the Polo, Scirocco, A1, etc. that didn't have a chance of being sold in the U.S. I know it's blasphemy, but a QS5 would likely sell in much higher numbers than a RS4 Avant. Wouldn't be that much slower either.

Who says they couldn't sell both?

For those worried about sales volume, they would only bring a few hundred RS4's over regardless of demand. Nobody expects to sell thousands of these things.

[.LSinLV.]

Who says they couldn't sell both?

For those worried about sales volume, they would only bring a few hundred RS4's over regardless of demand. Nobody expects to sell thousands of these things.

I wouldn't want them to. I like the exclusivity.

[Professor Gascan]

Yes. Damn yes. I would buy one of these in a heartbeat if they came in at around $70K CDN. The problem with the B7 RS4 was that it was ridiculously priced for the Canadian market.

They corrected that with the RS5. Starting MSRP is $77k CDN, going to $93K if you add every option on the books (including $6K for ceramic brakes and $1700 for adaptive cruise.)

And hell yes they should bring it.

[blown5.0]

Since this is a question, I say bring it if it makes economic sense. I cant imagine the market for Avants being all that great, but if theres potential market growth, why not?

From a personal standpoint, I dont like Avants at all, so i dont care if it comes or not. Give me a coupe or sedan over the Avant variant any day!

[JMURiz]

I wish I was in a position to afford an RS4 Avant, if I was I would want them to bring it over. I'm only short about $70k. I'd be happy with an S3 sportback.

[Remedy]

[Fritz27]

What would make the whole thing easier is if they'd just sell a sedan version. Yes, I know RS cars were originally wagons and wagons are the best and everyone helps their friend move every weekend and all that nonsense. I'm just saying with minimal effort they could have a much more popular RS4 sedan on our shores if they wanted to.

[Shomegrown]

What would make the whole thing easier is if they'd just sell a sedan version. Yes, I know RS cars were originally wagons and wagons are the best and everyone helps their friend move every weekend and all that nonsense. I'm just saying with minimal effort they could have a much more popular RS4 sedan on our shores if they wanted to.

RS cars aren't supposed to be popular.

[caj1]

Give me the B7 body with the 2.7T.. I love how the V8 sounds but power delivery is not practical for normal driving.

[Rob]

Can it hold a rear facing child seat?

Honestly, it sounds like this car may actually come here. If so, it is definitely going on my top 3 list of next cars.

The B7 RS4 cost a stupid $100k here. With our dollar appreciating to par with the US, I expect a price within 5-7% of the US.

[rconn14]

As for S4 Avants, I think you're wrong on how many were at dealers. That said, they were thirsty and expensive V8 wagons in an era when gas prices were quite high and they did not have the panache of an RS model. Arguably, the S4 Avant is different in that it is faster, more efficient and the S4 has been repositioned as the V6 model replacement. It thus turns higher volumes. I do not have any intel to support this, but I'd expect that with the brand's growth in volume that the S4 Avant may return at some point.

I agree with that, it was the wrong car at that time for a family, but if they only sold 200 of them (as was pointed out and could be a totally wrong figure) they couldn't have realistically had that many of them available. It's not like they shipped back unsold inventory. They just weren't there. How many sedans were sold relative to the Avant?

I would love to see the current S4 Avant sold here as well. It makes the S4 go from a car I might hypothetically consider in a sea of similar vehicles to a car that has that extra something that sells me on it. The fact that the CTS-V comes in manual wagon combination, for me, it puts the CTS-V at the top of my list in that field. If the CTS-V doesn't have that configuration, I just see another competitor. (I realize the CTS-V is RS4 territory, just illustrating what I'm trying to say and I realize I'm totally off point)

[Smoltz]

Always nice to have more options, but very difficult to imagine this car being successful in the US market.

[HalvieCuw]

no

[SchnellFowVay]

Here is the primary problem as far as I can tell:

Why can't we just get a tarted up 3.0T (S/C)? Why not the 2.5T from the TT-RS with MOAR boost?

Why, oh why, are we stuck with yet another generation of a 4.2L V8 that gets horrendous gas mileage, and will undoubtedly need a $8k-12k service at around 100,000 miles to replace a Rube Goldberg contraption of chains, tensioners, pulleys, and whatever the Audi engineers have managed to cram in between the engine and the transmission.

I love wagons, I love German cars, and I love fast German cars. This car does not do it for me. As many others have reiterated on here, I would much prefer an S4 Avant with some sort of option package to get the RS4 styling/brakes/seats.

I know this won't happen. But as it stands, I will not be spending $75k+ on this thing. There are just too many faster, better cars out there. Cadillac CTS-V comes to mind. So does the BMW M5 (though it is not offered as a wagon, admittedly, and is more expensive).

Give me a $55k S4 Avant, however, and you might be on to something.

[DamienR8]

As a current S4 owner, i wouldn't care of they didn't bring the RS4 Avant over here. However, if they brought an RS4, i will trade in my car and get one. Audi, you have my word.

[NoXenons]

It's the only way I can buy one used in 6 years so yes

[Turbio!]

If I'm going to spend +$70K, then I want to be coddled and still be able to drive fast and ENJOY driving fast.....plus the wife can't get mad if we need to pick up friends for dinner or the like.

I agree, I'd just spend the same $70k on something really fast and really capable for when I want that, and something with space and amenities for when I want that.

[canadacraig]

bring it to Canada please. we need awd, we have snow!

[Fritz27]

RS cars aren't supposed to be popular.

Bullcrap. If Audi could only sell RS models they would. Quattro GmbH is still a business.

[Fritz27]

Uh, no.

One of the core values for their RS brand is "supercar rarity" or something like that. It's on paper. Believe it or not many of their customers wouldn't want RS cars if they were more popular.

quattro GmbH is a small company. It's not like they are even capable of making more cars than they are.

They intentionally make the RS cars limited run. They're happy to push S cars to higher volumes.

I'm sure it's much like M's stated goals about never making SUVs or automatics or turbos.

Got it.

[8V Fury]

Please bring it to the states. That is all.