Secret performance cars of 2006 - Audi RS4

On sale Feb 2006
Price £50,000

Audi wants to fight fire with fire when it pits the hot version of its A4 compact exec, the RS4, against BMW’s all-new M3.

The Audi will make it to showrooms first when it goes on sale in February. Powered by a 4.2-litre V8 engine, the RS4 produces a fearsome 415bhp, making it the most powerful A4 ever.

The car comes with Quattro four-wheel drive as standard to provide maximum grip, and the car will accelerate to 60mph in 4.8sec and hit a limited top speed of 155mph. An Avant estate version will also be available about a month after the saloon goes on sale.

What Car? has already driven the new RS4 ahead of its February release, and we like it enough to believe it’s the best performance car that Audi has ever made.


See the February 2006 issue of What Car? magazine for a free 100 Secret Cars of 2006 and Beyond supplement.