Twenty years ago, the Audi Avant RS2, founder of the dynamic RS family, had its debut – and now Audi is launching a special edition of the current model on the market. The RS 4 Avant Nogaro selection will become available from early 2014, and will celebrate its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show with Nogaro blue paint finish and exclusive equipment. The customized Nogaro blue, pearl effect paint finish is the most salient visual signal of the anniversary model, and is also reminiscent of the RS2. The frame and use of the Singleframe grille, as well as the window slot trims, are painted high-gloss black, and the roof rails matt black. The RS sport exhaust system terminates in two oval, high-gloss black tailpipe trims.
Under the hood of the Audi RS 4 Avant Nogaro selection operates a high-revving V8 naturally aspirated engine with a displacement of 4,163cc. The 4.2 FSI delivers 450hp of power output at 8250 rpm, with peak torque of 430Nm available between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm. The resonant eight-cylinder engine accelerates the anniversary model from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds and takes it to a governed top speed of 280 km/h.
With its high efficiency and tall top gear, the standard seven-speed S tronic also contributes to fuel efficiency. The driver can let the lightning-fast dual-clutch transmission shift operate automatically or change gears themselves using the selector lever or the steering wheel paddles.
The core of the quattro permanent all-wheel drive is the self-locking crown gear center differential. The compact and lightweight component distributes torque at a default ratio of 40:60 between the front and rear axles. This ratio can be broadly varied as required – with up to 70 per cent of the power going to the front and a maximum of 85 per cent to the rear. The crown gear center differential cooperates with the wheel-selective torque control, which makes handling at curve limits even more dynamic through selective, small brake impulses. Audi offers the sport differential as an optional addition that actively distributes the power between the rear wheels.
The standard equipment of the Audi RS 4 Avant Nogaro selection also includes the Audi drive select dynamic driving system. This system allows variation between three modes – comfort, auto and dynamic – for the characteristics of the electromechanical power steering, the seven-speed S tronic, the accelerator and the RS sport exhaust system. And if the car is equipped with Audi MMI navigation, there is also a fourth mode – individual – that can be configured by the driver. Besides the sport differential, two further optional elements are available for Audi drive select. The dynamic steering varies the steering ratio depending on the speed and countersteers with small impulses at curve limits. The RS sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) equalizes the roll and pitch for the firmly sprung suspension by strictly mechanical means.
The Audi RS 4 Avant Nogaro selection rides on 265/30 series tires. Behind the gloss turned finish 20-inch wheels in 5-V-spoke design gleam red-painted brake calipers bearing RS emblems. The brake discs featuring a wave design are internally ventilated, perforated and joined to the aluminum brake disc chambers by pins. Audi installs carbon-fiber-ceramic discs at the front axle on request. The Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC) offers a sport mode and can also be entirely deactivated as required.
In the sporty black interior, Audi offers two different upholstery versions for the electrically adjustable S sport seats with their integrated head restraints. In both cases, the side sections are covered with black Valcona leather; the Alcantara synthetic fibers for the center sections and door trim inserts are colored either black as well or nogaro blue – in homage again to the Audi Avant RS2. The armrests are covered with black leather, with blue contrasting stitching providing accents. Black or nogaro blue piping frames the black floor mats.
Black leather with blue stitching also refines the steering wheel rim and the selector lever boot. Blue threads run through the carbon inlays to lend them a very special shimmer. A badge on the RS selector lever knob of the S tronic and the logos on the door sill trims refer to the special status of the anniversary model.
