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Gordon Shedden gets to grips with new Audi RS 4 Avant

Ahead of his first race as an Audi Sport driver, Shedden tests the latest Audi Super Avant on road and track

  • “Flash” Gordon races an RS 3 LMS for WRT in the FIA WTCR
  • First races this weekend (7/8 April) in Morocco
  • Audi RS 4 Avant available to order now, priced from £62,175 OTR

Scottish race ace Gordon Shedden has been testing the limits of the new Audi RS 4 Avant ahead of his first race as a factory-backed Audi Sport driver. The 39-year-old three-time British Touring Car Championship winner’s Audi race debut in the FIA WTCR series gets underway on 7/8 April, when he will be competing for Belgian team WRT Racing in Morocco.

Having tested the 450PS Super Avant during the height of the big March freeze, “Flash” has had plenty of opportunity to exploit the full potential of its quattro system and standard sport rear differential on challenging Scottish roads and around the famous Knockhill circuit. He is already an ardent fan of the car’s ‘no compromise’ combination of performance plus practicality and considers it the ultimate daily transport between racing commitments.

Commenting on the poise and pace of the latest Audi Sport star, Shedden said: “The RS 4 is a car that does everything. It’s understated, drives great and stops on a dime, which it needs because it’s mega fast!”

Going back to its roots with a V6 twin-turbo TFSI that echoes the evocative powerplant of the original B5 RS 4 Avant, the latest car benefits from a significant boost in torque to 600Nm, all of which is available from just 1,900rpm to facilitate a 0-62mph sprint of just 4.1 seconds and a top speed of up to 174mph.

Shedden logged his first laps in the RS 3 LMS last month at Zandvort (NED). In TCR configuration, its proven four-cylinder two-litre TFSI delivers up to 350PS, enabling it to hit 62mph in approximately 4.5 seconds and top out at 165mph. Power is channelled to the track via a six-speed sequential racing transmission and a multi-plate limited slip differential.

Limited Production of 999 Rear Wheel Drive Audi R8 V10 Coupé and Spyder Variants

 

AUDI SPORT TAKES A NEW TURN WITH THE NEW R8 V10 RWS (Rear Wheel Series)
UK examples of the first ever rear-wheel drive Audi will arrive next month
• Coupé and Spyder variants are first Audi production models available with rear wheel-drive, limited to 999 examples worldwide
• 50 kilograms lighter than R8 Coupé V10 (Spyder 40kg lighter)
• Available to order in the UK now, priced from £112,450 OTR as a Coupé and £121,140 OTR for the Spyder
• First deliveries begin during March
R8 Coupé V10 RWS: 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds, top speed 198mph, combined MPG 22.8, CO2 283 g/km
R8 Spyder V10 RWS: 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds, top speed 197mph, combined MPG 22.4, CO2 286 g/km

Front wheels, rear wheels or four wheels – Audi Sport is acknowledging that performance car enthusiasts have personal preferences when it comes to the way their power is transmitted to the tarmac by bolstering the acclaimed R8 range with the limited edition R8 Rear Wheel Series. Even more uncompromising in its pursuit of driver reward, this latest version of the much loved V10 super sports car makes history as the first ever rear-driven series production Audi model, following the global success of the R8 LMS GT3 racing car.

Priced from £112,450 OTR, the new R8 Rear Wheel Series (RWS) has been available to order in
the UK as a Coupé or Spyder since September, and first deliveries of UK examples, which are all built almost exclusively by hand at the Böllinger Höfe Audi Sport facility, will commence in March.

Despite the overtly rearward bias in the drivetrain, performance off the line and beyond remains reassuringly breathtaking, with the 0-62mph sprint being dispatched in just 3.7 seconds (Spyder: 3.8 seconds) and the pace remaining furious until v-max at 198mph (Spyder: 197mph).

The mid-mounted V10 engine, which is now one of the last naturally aspirated powerplants in the segment, produces 540PS and peak torque of 540 Nm (398.3 lb-ft) at 6,500 rpm. Its enthralling, visceral sound can be further enhanced by the fitment of a sports exhaust.

Combined fuel economy in the R8 Coupé V10 RWS amounts to 22.8mpg, corresponding to 283 grams of CO2 per kilometre. For the Spyder, these figures are 22.4mpg and 286 grams of CO2 per kilometre.

Specially tuned chassis setup
The Coupé weighs 1,590 kilograms (without driver), 50 kilograms (110.2 lb) less than the R8 Coupé with all-wheel drive which needs additional components like the propshaft, multi-plate clutch and centre differential. The Spyder is 40 kilograms lighter than the R8 Spyder V10, weighing in at 1,680 kilograms (without driver). The axle load distribution of 40.6:59.4 (Coupé) and 40.4:59.6 (Spyder) together with chassis and handling tuning specially adapted for rear-wheel drive provide for particularly entertaining driving. The electromechanical power steering is completely free of torque steer and enables precise handling.

The chassis setup and control systems allow controlled drifts if the driver chooses “dynamic” mode in the standard Audi drive select and sets the Stabilisation Control ESC to “Sport”. The ESC intervenes reliably at the limit to keep handling in check.

Focused yet full UK specification
The purebred character of the new R8 variant is underscored by the matt black grille of the Singleframe and the matt black air apertures at the front and rear of the car. The upper sideblade of the Coupé is finished in gloss black, with the lower blade in body colour. Similar to the R8 LMS GT 4, a red Audi Sport decal running over the bonnet, roof and over the rear spoiler can be optionally applied to the Coupé.

Inside, the driver and passenger sit in heated sport seats covered in leather and Alcantara. Bucket seats upholstered in rotor grey or black perforated Fine Nappa leather are also available as an option. As another visual identifier, the dashboard bears an emblem “1 of 999” indicating the limited number of units. The Audi R8 V10 RWS is fitted as standard with black-finished, 19-inch, cast aluminium wheels in a five-spoke V-design that are exclusive to the model, with 245/35 tyres up front and 295/35 at the rear. As an alternative, optional 20-inch forged aluminium alloy wheels in either matt titanium or gloss anthracite black are shod with 245/30 front tyres and 305/30 rears.

Its specification mirrors that of the R8 V10 quattro, featuring all-LED headlights and LED rear lights with dynamic indicators as well as the Audi Virtual Cockpit, the high-definition Audi Sound System, MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch and a suite of Audi connect Infotainment services. The Advanced Key, Cruise control and the front and rear parking system plus complete the standard equipment package.

Further enhancements can be made to the infotainment and assistance systems on board by specifying options such as Audi Laser Light extending the headlight range, a specially developed Bang & Olufsen sound system, the Audi Phone Box and Smartphone Interface.

Audi Sport also offers owners the opportunity for full personalisation, with a gloss carbon finish extending to the mirror housings, front spoiler lip and engine bay, while the Audi exclusive programme can also be comprehensively applied to various touchpoints on the interior to ensure that no two R8s are the same.

For the R8 Spyder RWS, a fully automated hood that retracts in 20 seconds at speeds of up to 31mph can be finished in black, red or brown, contrasting with the seven paint finishes, or even one of the 50 hues in the Audi exclusive palette.

Return of The RS Icon: The New Audi RS 4 Avant

– World debut of RS 4 Avant at the IAA 2017
– 2.9 TFSI engine offers substantially more power and efficiency
– Available to order in the UK later this month priced at £61,625 OTR
– First UK deliveries in early 2018
– Audi Virtual Cockpit and sport differential standard for UK cars
Neckarsulm, September 12, 2017 – Audi Sport GmbH celebrates the world debut of the new Audi RS 4 Avant at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, and at the same time Audi UK is enlisting the new figurehead of the A4 range in its ranks. Opening for ordering later this month priced at £61,625, the latest bearer of the RS badge combines tremendous everyday usability with exceptional performance from a 2.9 TFSI engine delivering 450PS and 600Nm of torque via standard quattro drive.

“The Audi RS 4 Avant is our RS icon with an incomparable history,” commented Stephan Winkelmann, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH. “In common with all our RS models, it blends immense power output with superlative everyday utility. In China, the Audi RS 4 will provide fresh impetus for growth as the only high-performance Avant in its segment.”
Roof edge spoiler creates distinctive rear end
When creating the fourth generation of the Audi RS 4 Avant, the designers took inspiration from many motorsport details of the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO. Massive air inlets with typical RS honeycomb structure and the wide, flat Singleframe grille define the front end. The optional Matrix LED headlights display tinted bezels. Compared to the Audi A4 Avant, the wheel arches are 30 millimetres wider and are given added emphasis by the quattro blisters.
At the rear end, the RS-specific diffuser insert, the oval tailpipes of the RS exhaust system and the RS roof edge spoiler make for a distinctive look. The exterior colour Nogaro blue, pearl effect available optionally from Audi exclusive recalls the first generation of the high-performance Avant from 1999. The new Audi RS 4 Avant rides on 19-inch forged aluminium wheels as standard; 20-inch wheels are available as an option.

0 to 62mph in 4.1 seconds, RS sport suspension and Audi drive select as standard
The V6 biturbo develops 450PS in the new Audi RS 4 Avant. Its peak torque of 600 Nm (442.5 lb-ft) – 170 Nm (125.4 lb-ft) more than the previous model – is available across a broad engine speed range from 1,900 to 5,000 rpm. It is key to how the Audi RS 4 is able to sprint from 0 to 62mph in 4.1 seconds. The top speed is 155mph. With the optional RS dynamic package, the top speed increases to 174mph. In the combined cycle test the RS 4 Avant is able to return up to 32.1mpg (199 grams of CO2 per kilometre) – an efficiency gain of 17 per cent over the previous model. The new Audi RS 4 Avant weighs 1,790 kilograms – 80 kilograms (176.4 lb) less than previously.
The power of the 2.9 TFSI biturbo is supplied to the permanent all-wheel drive via an eight-speed tiptronic with optimised ratios. Audi also offers a rear sport differential enabling torque division between the rear wheels for enhanced handling adjustability, and in the UK this feature is standard.
The standard-fit RS sport suspension sets the Audi RS 4 Avant another seven millimetres lower than the standard A4 with sport suspension. RS sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) is available as an option, as are ceramic brakes and RS-specific dynamic steering. Drivers can define their own individual personal driving experience using the standard dynamic handling system Audi drive select.

Interior with sophisticated materials and digital racing-style cockpit
The black interior underscores the character of the Audi RS 4 Avant. The RS sport seats with optional honeycomb pattern, the flat-bottomed RS leather multifunction sport steering wheel, the shift gate and the illuminated door sill trims are all adorned with the RS emblem. In the Audi virtual cockpit which is standard in the UK, RS-specific displays indicate the g-forces, tyre pressures and torque. The styling packages gloss black, carbon with aluminium attachments and carbon with black attachments provide further scope for customisation. The Audi exclusive programme caters for just about any other special request.

The Audi Supercar in its Purest Form: The New R8 V10 RWS

– Coupe and Spyder variants are first Audi production models with rear wheel-drive as a limited edition
– 50 kilograms lighter than R8 Coupé V10 (Spyder 40kg lighter)
– Available to order in the UK from Friday 15th September priced from £110,000 OTR
– Stephan Winkelmann, MD Audi Sport GmbH: “R8 V10 RWS successfully brings driving concept of our R8 LMS racing car to the streets”
Neckarsulm, September 11, 2017 – Audi Sport GmbH is extending its R8 model series to include new derivatives with rear-wheel drive. Limited to 999 units worldwide, and available to order in the UK from Friday September 15 priced from £110,000 OTR, the Audi R8 V10 RWS and R8 Spyder V10 RWS will be exclusively rear-driven (Rear Wheel Series) and will be built by hand at the Böllinger Höfe R8 factory.
“The R8 V10 RWS is made for purists,” said Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of Audi Sport GmbH. “A limited-edition special model for customers with an appreciation for essential driving enjoyment, the R8 V10 RWS is an absolutely exclusive offer. With its mid-mounted V10 engine and rear-wheel drive, it successfully brings the driving concept of our R8 LMS racing car to the streets.”
Matt black design elements, optional films
The purebred character of the new R8 variant is underscored by the matt black grille of the Singleframe and the matt black air apertures at the front and rear of the car. The upper sideblade (of the Coupé) is finished in gloss black, the lower blade in the body colour.
Similar to the R8 LMS GT 4, the Coupé is available with an optional red film running over the bonnet, roof and rear end. Inside, the driver and passenger sit in sport seats covered in leather and Alcantara. Bucket seats are available as an option. The dashboard bears an emblem “1 of 999,” indicating the limited number of units.
5.2 FSI engine – one of the last naturally aspirated engines in its segment
The mid-mounted V10 engine of the Audi R8 V10 RWS produces 540PS. It delivers its peak torque of 540 Nm (398.3 lb-ft) at 6,500 rpm. The 5.2 FSI engine powers the Coupé from 0 to 62mph in 3.7 seconds (Spyder: 3.8 seconds) and beyond to a top speed of 198mph (Spyder: 197mph). With the top closed, combined fuel economy in the R8 V10 RWS amounts to 22.7mpg, corresponding to 283 grams CO2 per kilometre. With the top open, these figures are 22.4mpg and 286 grams CO2 per kilometre.
Specially tuned chassis setup allows controlled drifts
The Coupé weighs 1,590 kilograms (without driver), 50 kilograms (110.2 lb) less than the R8 Coupé with all-wheel drive which needs additional components like propshaft, multi-plate clutch and centre differential. The Spyder is 40 kilograms lighter than the R8 Spyder V10, weighing in at 1,680 kilograms (without driver). The axle load distribution of 40.6:59.4 (Coupé) and 40.4:59.6 (Spyder) together with chassis and handling tuning specially adapted for rear-wheel drive provide for particularly entertaining driving.
The chassis setup and control systems allow controlled drifts if the driver chooses “dynamic” mode in the standard Audi drive select dynamic handling system and sets the Stabilisation Control ESC to “Sport”. The ESC intervenes reliably at the limit. The electromechanical power steering is completely free of torque steer and enables precise handling. The Audi R8 V10 RWS is fitted as standard with black-finished, 19-inch, cast aluminium wheels in a five-spoke V-design, with 245/35 tyres up front and 295/35 at the rear.