You’re giving that thing the best possible chance aren’t you?
Guess so. It’s the Audi RS4. What supercars would be if they acknowledged real life existed. Tested not on some blissful summer day along dream-like exotic routes, but on cold damp British back-roads.

Its vastly muscular turbo torque, four-wheel drive and glassy view out should put it head and shoulders above pretty much anything that relies on just two tyres to engage the engine with the roadway.

Remind me. How much engine?
It’s a new 444bhp effort – very similar in power to the revvy old V8, but this time it has twin turbos, which squeeze all that power from just 2.9 litres and six pistons. The torque figure is 442lb ft from just 1,900rpm.

How does that work out?
Mostly it’s a humdinger. For overtaking or blasting out of a roundabout, just aim foot at carpet. It’ll drop a gear then simply catapult away. In the mid-ranges the sound is a rather honeyed blare, an enjoyably old-school noise from such a modern engine.

It is, however, imperfect. Despite all its modernity (hot-V turbo position, twin blowers, variable inlet lift) the throttle response is pretty sleepy. Say you’re rounding an unknown corner, and the vision opens ahead of you. You want power, and you want it now. What you get instead is t…urbo lag.

One solution is to pull it into a gear lower and use big revs, because above about 4,500rpm, the problem is largely gone. But then you crash into the red-line at just 6,300rpm, so that’s not really a solution.

Still, with all that traction you’ll still be making progress?
Oh yes. But just going crazy-fast isn’t really what a sporty car should be about. Indeed in Britain, speed isn’t the point these days. What matters is flow and feel and confidence.

Any of those then?
Confidence to the point of swagger. That’s the Quattro thing. It flows fluidly along too. The engine is lighter than the old V8, and the sport rear differential vectors the torque to pivot the car into a bend.

It’s very nicely balanced in corners, and when those puffers leap into wakefulness, it sets into very subtle but satisfying oversteer. Feel? Through the seat, yes. Through the steering wheel, not really. It’s a command-and-control apparatus, with little two-way intimacy.

Which of the chassis options did that car have?
Good question. Only 20-inch wheels, over the standard 19s. No dynamic ride control (£2,000). No loud ‘sports’ exhaust (£1,250). No active steering (£950). No ceramic brakes (£6,000).

Did you miss them?
Not really. So that’s a total of £10,200 well saved.

The ride is actually as pliant as a not-too-extreme hot-hatchback’s, bearable in town and on motorways. I was on bumpy roads so I didn’t need the sharper ‘sports’ damper setting the dynamic system would have given me. This is Britain – the turbulence was already enough to set Audi’s famously well-attached cabin fittings into a bit of a twitter.

The RS4’s optional Dynamic steering, unusually, locks into a constant ratio in its dynamic setting, which should avoid the unnatural feel such systems usually have. Really then it’s just there to moderate urban wheel-twirling in its ‘comfort’ setting. Not needed.

Ceramic brakes might be good for track work or coming fully loaded down an alp. For solo driving along B-roads in Northants, on the other hand, I certainly didn’t feel deprived.

An estate should be an all-round car. Is this an all-round good drive?
The chassis suits the unpredictable grip of the four seasons, and can take the British rough with the smooth. That feeling of unquenchable confidence is a wonderful everyday asset. The powertrain is mostly magnificent too, especially on roads you know, when right-foot anticipation can cancel out the turbo lag.

And Audi doesn’t muck up the estate part of things. All the space and practicality is taken care of with ruthless excellence, and bestows you some delightful details too. The cabin materials, the driver controls, the connectivity and the interfaces are all exemplary too. Audi, as ever, has that stuff nailed.

Not to mention that wonderful old RS Avant trick of looking like the mechanicals are one size too big for the body. So the statics of the RS4 Avant are most wantable. On most days – and in many conditions – the dynamics are the same.

If you can afford something like Audi‘s latest RS4 and you equally value performance and practicality, then this might just be the perfect car for you.

On paper, the RS4’s only true rival is the Mercedes-AMG C 63 Estate, since it’s the only one that features the same body style as the Audi, whereas the BMW M3/M4 doesn’t. Same with the Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio, by the way.

What’s interesting though is that both the C 63 Estate as well as its ‘S’ sibling have more power than the RS4. The C63 Estate is good for 476 PS (469 HP), whereas the S version has 510 PS (503 HP). Meanwhile, the Audi, with its 450 PS (444 HP), happens to rely on quattro all-wheel drive when accelerating, which on paper makes it just as fast as the previously mentioned C63 S Estate flagship, despite a 60 PS (59 HP) disadvantage.

In a straight line, both the AMG as well as the RS4 are said to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.1 seconds. However, it would seem as though the Audi might be even quicker than advertised.

During a 0-60 mph (96 km/h) acceleration test performed by Carwow, the 2019 Audi RS4 managed to hit the mark in just 3.5 seconds, which would presumably still make it quicker to 62 mph (100 km/h) than most of us would have thought.

Of course, speed isn’t the only thing that matters when it comes to the RS4. This in-depth review covered everything from practicality to build quality, on-board tech and driving dynamics. The reviewer even went as far as to claim that this is Audi’s best-ever RS car.

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to mourn the death of the stick shift in Audi’s lineup. Felled by ever-better automatics and dual-clutch transmissions and, most of all, apathetic buyers, the manual gearbox bows out on the 2018 Audi A4. For this somber occasion, Audi’s giving us a special edition A4 with a stick shift, and if you’re gonna get any new A4, make it this one.

This is the 2018 A4 Ultra Sport. If that sounds familiar, congrats, you probably remember the Ultra Sport edition on the B6 A4 of the 2000s. Like that car, it’s kind of a Diet Coke version of the S4. As the Audi Club of North America reports and as Audi has confirmed, only 40 of these will be made, all in identical Quantum Gray paint and all with manual gearboxes.

They come also with a nice suite of equipment, including a flat-bottom steering wheel, an adaptive sport suspension, special five-spoke wheels, Bang & Olufsen 3D sound, LED headlights, something called “dynamic steering” and some carbon fiber exterior tweaks.

All this, for an additional $6,800 over the A4's usual $36,000 base price. Power, as usual, comes from a 2.0-liter turbo four with 252 horsepower.

If you’re sad about the death of the manuals, remember, we did this to ourselves. They’re even dead in Germany. From the club’s report:

The club says all these are believed to be at port currently, so those excited about it should contact their dealerships and put in an order ASAP. Is it the hottest, sexiest way to send out the manual transmission? No, not at all.

But if you’re going to lay claim to owning one of the last manual Audis ever, you could do worse. Plenty of collectors and everyday enthusiasts will be all over it.

New bumpers, doors, and fenders should be underneath the camouflage.

[UPDATE, December 11] 19 new spy shots have been added at the beginning of the gallery, below.

Audi launched the 2019 model year of the A4 sedan and wagon in Europe in June this year with a facelift that brought only minor visual revisions. Less than six months later, we have the first spy photos of the A4 Avant being prepared for another refresh. This time around, it will be much more significant, at least in terms of design.

As you can see in the attached gallery below, the entire lower part of this prototype's body is disguised and there’s a pretty good reason for that. Our spy photographers told us the A4 Avant will carry over with the same roofline, windows, and door openings, but will use new doors, fenders, grilles, and bumpers. This approach should help the car retain its overall shape, but will give it a newer and sharper look thanks to the reshaped body parts.

The massive exhaust tips integrated into the rear bumper might trick you to believe this is the performance RS4 version, but the shape of the pipes and the humble bumper design reveals it’s the regular A4. Speaking of performance, no major changes are expected under the hood as the A4 will continue to use the same range of turbocharged gasoline and diesel engines. These will be tweaked to meet the latest emissions standards though.

According to preliminary information, the interior should also get big improvements, including the latest versions of Audi’s infotainment system and digital instrument cluster. Some of the new or revised functions will be sourced from the new A6.

Given the relatively recent launch of the 2019 A4 and A4 Avant, we expect to see the facelifted model towards the end of next year. Most likely, the brand with the four rings will use the Frankfurt show in September 2019 to introduce the model to the media and prospective buyers.

The Audi A4: even sportier and even more cutting edge

The A4 represents the core of the brand – after four years in the making, Audi has made the successful midsize model even tauter and sportier. Its exterior is integrated into the brand’s new design language; the large MMI touch display offers the kind of operating experience customers will be familiar with from their smartphone. Many engine options now come with mild-hybrid systems (MHEV) – efficiency and comfort benefit from this broad-based electrification. This also applies to the Audi S4 TDI (combined fuel consumption 6.3 – 6.2 l/100 km (37.3 - 37.9 US mpg)*; combined CO2 emissions 166 – 163 g/km (267.2 – 262.3 g/mi)*, with a V6 TDI under the hood for the first time, a 48-volt main electrical system and an electric powered compressor (EPC), which lends its beefy acceleration even more spontaneity. This combination of power, torque and efficiency makes it unique in the segment.

Sporty look: the exterior design
The midsize model looks even more dynamic and sophisticated thanks to the sportier design highlights. The Singleframe grille is now broader and flatter; horizontal lines emphasize the width at the front and rear. The side view is defined by the distinctive muscles above the fenders and the lower set shoulder line in between. They form strong contours above the wheels and make the quattro genes outwardly visible.

LED headlights now come standard in the Audi A4; the top-of-the-line headlights feature the Matrix LED technology with fully automatic high beam. The equipment line concept is equally new: basic, advanced and S line are now available for the exterior, not to mention the independent look of the S models and the A4 allroad quattro. Customers can choose from 12 paint colors, including a new terra gray option.

In the calmly styled interior of the Audi A4 the horizontal lines also convey the overall impression. In the center of the instrument panel, slightly tilted toward the driver, is the large MMI touch display, the control center for the new operating system. The new interior packages: design selection and S line interior can be combined freely with the exterior lines and come with numerous colors and materials. The contour/ambient lighting package adds highlights to the interior in the dark.

Groundbreaking: connectivity
With its new MMI system the highly connected Audi A4 offers a user experience similar to a contemporary smartphone. An MMI touch display with acoustic feedback replaces the functions of the previous rotary/pushbutton control on the center tunnel console. The high-resolution TFT display measures 10.1 inches. Its graphics are deliberately clean and cut-down; the menu structure with its tight hierarchies is tailored to user expectations and facilitates ease of use. The MMI search is based on free text input and returns hits rapidly. The natural-language voice control, another function of the new system, understands many of the phrases used in everyday speech.

The navigation in the Audi A4 is now even more versatile and more user-friendly. The Audi connect and Audi connect plus portfolio includes a host of online services, such as Car-to-X services, which take advantage of the swarm intelligence of the Audi fleet. Apart from online traffic sign and hazard information, as well as the on-street parking service, traffic light information is a new addition to the lineup. By networking with the urban infrastructure, the car receives information from the traffic light central computer via a server so that the driver can choose their speed to match the next green light. The instrument cluster displays a personal speed recommendation as well as the remaining time to the next green light whenever the driver is waiting at a red traffic light. As such, the system promotes an anticipatory, efficient driving style, along with a constant flow of traffic. The function is part of the Audi connect package and is being rolled out in stages in selected European cities.

The Audi connect services emergency call and service come standard; the free myAudi app connects the customer’s smartphone seamlessly to the car. The Audi connect key option lets the customer lock/unlock the vehicle, and start the engine using a compatible Android smartphone. The personalization, another digital feature, allows up to 14 myAudi users to store their preferred settings in individual profiles.

The pioneering functions on demand are part of the many innovations set to accompany the launch of the Audi A4. They allow customers to add on three infotainment functions flexibly as required via the myAudi app, even after purchasing the vehicle. In Germany, these are the MMI plus, the DAB+ digital radio and the Audi smartphone interface. There is a choice of various terms.

If customers would like to get to know a function first before committing themselves, they can book a one-time, one-month test phase. Customers can extend the booking even during this phase, either for a further month, a year, or permanently. If they decide not to extend the term, the booking expires automatically and without requiring active termination at the end of the term.

The new MMI features a new main unit. The third-generation modular infotainment platform MIB 3 delivers phenomenal computing power. It works with an equally new, spatially separate communication box that bundles all connectivity tasks – such as telephony or the Audi connect services – and incorporates the Wi-Fi hotspot. The optional hardware modules include the Audi phone box and the Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium Sound System in the front.

Three instrument cluster variants are available: two partially analog driver information systems and – in conjunction with the MMI plus – the all-digital Audi virtual cockpit plus. The driver can operate the 12.3-inch display with full HD resolution using the multifunction steering wheel with a choice of three views. A head-up display projects important information into the driver’s direct field of view.

The A4 models are available with a host of driver assist systems. The optional systems are bundled into the “Tour”, “City” and “Park” packages. An important system in the “Tour” package is the adaptive cruise control including Stop&Go function for automatic distance control. In conjunction with the predictive efficiency assist it can brake and accelerate the A4 predictively even where there is no vehicle ahead. To do so it analyzes Car-to-X messages, navigation data and traffic signs.

Broad-based electrification: the drive system
Audi will be offering the A4 model line with six turbocharged engines at sales launch in Europe. Their power outputs range from 110 kW (150 PS) to 255 kW (347 PS) – from the Audi A4 35 TFSI (combined fuel consumption 6.0 – 5.5 l/100 km (39.2- 42.8 US mpg)*; combined CO2 emissions 138 – 125 g/km (222.1 - 201.2 g/mi)* up to the Audi S4 TDI (combined fuel consumption 6.3 – 6.2 l/100 km (37.3 - 37.9 US mpg)*; combined CO2 emissions 166 – 163 g/km (267.2 – 262.3 g/mi)*. All engines – whether four-cylinder diesel unit, V6 TDI or four-cylinder TFSI – undercut the limits of the Euro 6d-temp emission standard.

For the market launch three engine variants will feature a mild-hybrid system (MHEV) based on 12 volts, which reduces fuel consumption while improving comfort. This broad-based electrification makes an important contribution to achieving the fleet targets for fuel consumption. In everyday use, the MHEV system reduces fuel consumption by up to 0.3 liters per 100 kilometersaccording to individual Audi measurements.

Whether manual transmission, seven-speed S tronic or eight-speed tiptronic, whether front-wheel or quattro drive – each of the six engine variants delivers tailor-made power transmission. All A4 models come off the production line with an automatic transmission as standard.

Sportily harmonious: the suspension
The sportily balanced suspension ideally harmonizes with the character of the Audi A4. Customers can choose between the standard setup and the sport suspension. There are also two adaptive suspensions. One option is the comfort suspension with damper control, which reduces the ride height by 10 millimeters (0.4 in) and offers superb ride comfort. The other is the sport suspension, either with or without damper control, which is lowered by

23 millimeters (0.9 in). With its even more dynamic basic setup, it underscores the sporty character while maintaining comfort. Both controlled suspensions are integrated into the Audi drive select dynamic handling system. The same applies to the steering, with dynamic steering, the automatic transmission and the throttle valve available for customers as an option. Audi drive select allows the driver to determine which of up to five profiles these systems use.

Diesel power: the Audi S4 TDI
Both S models of the A4 family – the Audi S4 Sedan TDI (combined fuel consumption 6.3 – 6.2 l/100 km (37.3 - 37.9 US mpg)*; combined CO2emissions 164 – 163 g/km (263.9 - 262.3 g/mi)* and the S4 Avant TDI (combined fuel consumption 6.3 l/100 km (37.3 US mpg)*; combined CO2emissions 166 – 165 g/km (267.2 - 265.5 g/mi)* – are now equipped with a V6 diesel engine as a power package. The 3.0 TDI combines hefty torque, smooth running and a long range and provides a power output of up to 255 kW (347PS) and maximum torque of 700 Nm (516.3 lb-ft). It accelerates the S4 Sedan TDI from zero to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 4.8 seconds on the way to an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h (155.3 mph). This combination of power, torque and efficiency makes the Audi S4 TDI unique in the segment.

The electric powered compressor delivers powerful drive-off performance and virtually seamless power buildup when accelerating. As such, it eliminates any turbo lag, providing instant responsiveness in all driving situations. The electric powered compressor is integrated into a new 48-volt main electrical system, which also incorporates the mild-hybrid system. This provides even more efficiency potential than the MHEV system in the 12-volt electrical system on the A4 models. In the S4 TDI this is the next expansion stage in which the mild-hybrid technology will be rolled out based on 48 volts. The 12-volt subsidiary electrical system is connected to the 48-volt main electrical system via a powerful DC/DC converter. For the first time a powerful 48-volt belt alternator starter is being used in the S4 TDI as the heart of the mild-hybrid system with a maximum recuperation power of up to 8 kW when braking.

A compact, air-cooled lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 0.5 kWh, which is located under the luggage compartment floor, acts as an energy management center. The mild-hybrid system on the S models has the potential to reduce customer fuel consumption by up to 0.4 liters per 100 kilometers.

An eight-speed tiptronic and the quattro permanent all-wheel drive make up the drivetrain. If desired, an optional sport differential is available to actively distribute power between the rear wheels. In this way, more power can be directed specifically to the wheel on the outside of the bend when cornering at speed, which combats the tendency to understeer early on. The S sport suspension is standard. With its S-specific setup it provides a sporty driving sensation. This can be enhanced even further with the optional S sport suspension with damper control. Inside and out, a host of design details point to the unique position of the S models – from the exhaust tailpipes to the S mode in the display of the optional Audi virtual cockpit.

The consummate onroad and offroad experience: the Audi A4 allroad quattro
Thanks to its quattro all-wheel drive and ground clearance raised by 35 millimeters (1.4 in) the Audi A4 allroad quattro combines superb ride comfort and good offroad qualities. With the optional allroad-specific suspension with damper control, comfort and dynamism can be enhanced further. It differs from the A4 Avant through details such as the underbody protection or the wheel arch trims and also by its 12-millimeter (0.5 in) larger wheels and its wider track – six millimeters (0.2 in) wider at the front and eleven millimeters wider (0.4 in)at the rear.

Automatic transmissions come standard with the Audi A4 allroad qattro a suspension with damper control provides an alternative to the standard suspension. As on the A4 Avant, the luggage compartment has a capacity of 495 liters (17.5 cu ft) – this increases to 1,495 liters (52.8 cu ft) with the rear seats folded down and cargo loaded to the roof. The rear hatch and the luggage compartment cover are electrically operated as standard. With the additional offroad mode on the Audi drive select dynamic handling system, the driver can choose from six profiles in the A4 allroad quattro.

For the more spontaneous buyers: the Audi A4 edition one model
To coincide with the market launch, the brand with the four rings is presenting an A4 edition model dubbed “edition one.” It is available as a Sedan or Avant with a choice of three engine versions – the 2.0 TFSI with a power output of 180 kW (245 PS) (combined fuel consumption 6.9 – 6.5 l/100 km (34.1 - 36.2 US mpg)*; combined CO2 emissions 157 – 146 g/km (252.7 - 235.0 g/mi)*, the 2.0 TDI with an output of 140 kW (190 PS) (combined fuel consumption 5.3 – 4.9 l/100 km (44.4 - 48.0 US mpg)*; combined CO2 emissions 140 – 131 g/km (225.3 - 210.8 g/mi)* and the 3.0 TDI with 170 kW (231 PS) (combined fuel consumption 5.6 – 5.3 l/100 km (42.0 – 44.4 US mpg)*; combined CO2emissions 145 – 139 g/km (233.4 - 223.7 g/mi)*. The exterior design is based on the S line exterior, supplemented with striking elements such as the black styling package. For the interior, customers can choose between the design selection and the S line interior package.

Price and Market launch in Europe
The Audi A4 models and the S4 models with a TDI engine and sporty new look can be ordered in Europe from May 2019. The A4 allroad quattro will be available in the early summer and both models will be in the dealerships from fall 2019. In Germany, the base price for the A4 Sedan 35 TFSI (combined fuel consumption 6.0 – 5.5 l/100 km (39.2- 42.8 US mpg)*; combined CO2 emissions 136 – 125 g/km (218.9 - 201.2 g/mi)* with 110 kW (150 hp) and S tronic is 35,900 euros. Customers can order the S4 Sedan TDI starting at 62,600 euros. It comes standard with popular options from the Audi A4 Sedan valued at approximately 6,400 euros when compared with the A4 Sedan 45 TDI quattro tiptronic (combined fuel consumption 5.5 – 5.3 l/100 km (42.8 - 44.4 US mpg)*; combined CO2 emissions 144 – 139 g/km (231.7 - 223.7 g/mi)* with 170 kW (231 hp). These include LED headlights with dynamic rear indicators, S sport suspension with tautly tuned suspension and damping, 18-inch wheels, power-adjustable front sport seats with Alcantara leather and embossed S logo, and sportily contoured bumpers. Customers can also order the Audi A4 edition one, a special edition starting at 53,300 euros.

Audi offers the S4 and the S4 Avant with the 3.0 TFSI in markets outside Europe. The turbocharged gasoline direct injection engine has an output of 260 kW (354 PS) and produces a hefty torque of 500 Nm (368.8 lb-ft) from 1,370 to 4,500 rpm. The V6 accelerates the S4 Sedan TFSI from zero to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 4.7 seconds on the way to an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h (155.3 mph). The standard sprint takes two tenths of a second longer in the S4 Avant TFSI.