| A Week at the Wheel | Herts, England | Audi RS4 |

Inside & Out:

We took delivery of the RS4 to compare it directly with the new BMW M3. This may seem a little unfair at first given the fact that the all-new A4 is to be shown at the Frankfurt Show, but parked side-by-side, the RS4 looks more obviously butch than the new M3 and is not a dated shape by any means. The sexy alloys play a large part in that, but what really differentiates the RS4 from the various S line models are the bulbous, suggestive wheelarches.

Inside, the RS4 could not be mistaken for any other Audi A4 thanks to fantastic sports seats, a flat-bottomed steering wheel and lashings of carbon-fibre trim. The driving position is faultless as ever and the front seats feature a useful 'side grabbing' adjustment for those moments where you'd like to feel a bit closer to what's going on. The only negative is that the switchgear is beginning to show its age, with the micro switches just not as well-oiled as in the latest Audis. No doubt the replacement will sort that out.

Engine & Transmission:

The excitement begins as soon as you prod the 'start' button with a wonderful burble from the exhausts. Audi's latest performance engine strategy is not too dissimilar to BMW's, which means a high-revving V8 in the RS4 that churns out 414bhp at a sonorous 7,800rpm. Thanks to the larger capacity of this unit, it still betters the newer M3 for torque, with a useful 317lb.ft of the stuff. Although the torque peak is at a fairly high 5,500rpm, the unit feels strong from low down the speed range and it's all too easy to hit the rev limiter.

Coupled with a quattro four-wheel drive train, performance is formidable in all weather conditions and the six-speed 'box is an absolute joy to use, even if it doesn't have a very mechanical feel to the change.

Ride & Handling:

Most four-wheel drive cars exhibit a natural tendency to understeer, which driving enthusiasts generally dislike. Previous fast Audis suffered from this ailment due to the positioning of their engines forward of the front axle. However, Audi changed the torque split for the RS4, sending more of the torque to the rear wheels more of the time and despite the compromised engine positioning, the RS4 drives more like a rear-wheel drive car than any past fast Audi.

It will only slide so far without severe provocation, but the upside is that the RS4 is a competent handler in all weathers, yet it remains really good fun, with excellent steering feedback, strong brakes and a degree of throttle adjustability. It rides quite well too, especially given its remit in life.

Equipment, Economy & Value for Money:

Although you'll lose money on depreciation if you now go out and buy your new RS4 (unless you haggle a reasonable discount), it's still a tempting proposition. The mix of practicality, performance and driver involvement the RS4 offers is rare indeed, so arguing the high price is an academic pursuit only. Watch out for fuel consumption though, as it positively drinks when you use the performance to the full.

Overall:

Yes, it may be about to be superseded, but the Audi RS4 is still a great drivers' car and will go down as a turning point for Audi, finally being considered as a real alternative to BMW's M cars.