We’ve been waiting for the RS4 Avant to make an appearance, and now it has.

The Audi RS4 Avant is the top-of-the-range Audi A4, but in the previous-generation of the A4/A4 Avant, the Ingolstadt-based manufacturer dropped the sedan version of the RS4 and only produced it in station-wagon guise. With this new model, the firm plans to change that again, building both an Avant and sedan.

The fact that Audi is already testing the RS4 probably leans towards an earlier introduction of the model than expected. The previous model took four years to make it to production from when the A4 was launched. Rumours are that we could see full production cars in Europe by the end of 2016.

The naturally aspirated V8 has been dropped in favour of a turbocharged V6. The engine will remain relatively similar to the S4 engine but with higher power and torque outputs. It should hit the streets with similar outputs to the BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63. That should mean between 310 kW and 320 kW in tandem with over 500 Nm.

The Audi S4 is heading for SA in the third quarter of 2016 so don’t expect the RS4 any time before mid-2017. Avants don’t normally sell very well in SA so we expect the sedan model to be far more popular than the Avant-only 2012 RS4.

Interested in buying an Audi RS4? Search for one on Cars.co.za