Audi unveiled the all-new RS4 Avant at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show and although Audi South Africa says "the model is still under consideration" for the local market, we wouldn't bet against the thunder 'wagon being introduced here in 2018. Nowpowered by atwin-turbocharged V6 – instead of a throbbing V8 – the RS4 is primed to battle BMW's M3/M4 and the Mercedes-AMG C63…

Downsizing has claimed yet another victim. The lovely V8 in the previous generation Audi RS4 was a marvel both in terms of performance and aural satisfaction, and now it's gone. However, the new Audi RS4 Avant comes to market with a new motor and we're very interested… It's the same engine in the new Audi RS5 and the numbers make for interesting prospects. It's a2.9 TFSI engine with 331 kW and 600 Nm, with power going to all four wheels through an 8-speed Tiptronic transmission.

Audi claimsthat the new RS4 Avant is capableof sprinting from zero to 100 kph in just 4.1 seconds and it'll go onto a limited top speed of 250 kph. If you tick the optional RS dynamic package, the top speed goes up to 280 kph. The big benefits of this V6 twin-turbocharged engine are that it'll be a bit more responsive and that it is more fuel efficient, with Audi Sport claiming a fuel economy figure of 8.8 L/100 km. Inside, it's all hardcore Audi Sport fittings here, with a pretty flat-bottomed steering wheel and extensive use of carbon and aluminiuminserts.

"The Audi RS4 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 RS4 will provide fresh impetus for growth as the only high-performance Avant in its segment."

In terms of theinternational market, the new Audi RS4 Avant will reach its first customers at thestart of 2018 and in South Africa… hopefully not too long thereafter.

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