Audi, UK Releases Comprehensive RS 4 Pricing, Options and Equipment Listing

[George@Fourtitude]

Performance is a big part of Audi, UK’s business. This geographically small market constantly brawls with the United States over the number two position in cars sold for Audi, often second only to Germany. Further, in a land where roads can be awful, large wheels are typical equipment on cars and seemingly there are large secret societies of ownership for the plentiful TT models and the UrQuattro before that. It didn’t surprise us then, when Audi UK announced RS 4 pricing almost immediately after the car was first shown last fall in Geneva. It seems our UK compatriots have gone one step further, this week releasing a 14-page PDF file that includes pricing, specs, options and equipment list.

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[911M3GTI]

A couple comments now that we have this information...

First of all, I still don't like the fact that we're not getting some of the features available in Europe. The seats and the starter button are out and the steering wheel is still up in the air.

The seats in the Euro RS4 not only look incredible, but they're highly functional, its a huge disappointment. Anyone know if there's a chance we'll be able to retrofit the Euro seats into our US cars?

The starter button, while gimmicky at best, is still something I would like to have. After all, if Audi is going to get us to pay 70 to 80K for this car they're going to need all the gimmicks they can get.

If we don't get the seats, the center console with the starter button OR the flat bottom, aluminum clad steering wheel... we're really not getting the same interior that has looked so good in all the pictures we've been seeing. If we don't get the steering wheel, does that mean we don't get the "sport button" on the steering wheel? Will we have the sport button functionality on our cars?

Under options section of the list it mentions a more aggressive suspension setup. Am I reading this correctly? Will there be an option for an even lower, tighter suspension on the RS4's already lowered setup?

[George@Fourtitude]

Like I said, this is UK, so exactly what we'll get as options remains to be seen. It's more difficult for AoA to make projections on lower quantities of cars. If they offer specific options like that for the USA, I'd get to the dealer quickly and specifically order those options. Or, say you want a yellow car, order that as it's a very low percentage of S4 production and as such, US cars in that color will be miniscule due to the limited numbers of the RS. That's my guess, but I think a good one.

As for the seats, it's a simple matter of no side-impact airbags. If someone can use a VAG to program to get rid of the light and who knows what else for the airbags being nonresponsive, then I'd imagine it's quite easy to retrofit the seats. Again, just a guess.

That sport suspension looks like yes, a sportier suspension package. Kinda cool. I don't know if we'll get it.

The other thing that surprised me was that the UK listing didn't mention the lap timer clock in the MFA. I know it was mentioned in the original press materials and the car I rode in at Le Mans had the timer operational, so I'm not sure why it wasn't listed.

[rheudabaga]

Can that be correct? 30 mpg on the highway would be awesome! Is that one of the benefits of the FSI system? My S6 with 340HP gets a criminal 16mpg or so on the highway.

Otherwise, it is a bummer that we won't see the euro seat, steering wheel, starter switch, et al, but I'm getting more and more excited for this car. The only variable left for me is if I can live without a wagon. But with the other positives the RS4 has going for it, I may just have to let that go and live with a sedan for a few years.

[bzcat]

I'm pretty sure the 30mpg is based on the smaller british gallon and not US Imperial gallon.

Another reason why matric system rules

I don't really care about some of the options or possible deleted items for the US market like start button (that's going to get so played out in about 18 months like Altezza lights...) but I really hope the seats make it. They look super comfy and nice.

Modified by bzcat at 5:41 PM 8-15-2005

[George@Fourtitude]

Unfortunately, the aluminum steering wheel is out for the USA. Sorry guys.

Personally, like bzcat, I'm looking forward to the car regardless. That engine and suspension are the heart of the car. Without seats and steering wheel, I'll live.

I know that's going to be a dissappointment though. So FYI.

[911M3GTI]

Quote, originally posted by George@Fourtitude »

Personally, like bzcat, I'm looking forward to the car regardless. That engine and suspension are the heart of the car. Without seats and steering wheel, I'll live.

I'm not saying I'm not looking forward to the car. The performance and handling are obviously, by far, the most important aspects. My point is simply that if Audi wants us to fork over 80K (which its looking more and more like we'll need to) we should get the option of having the steering wheel and the sport button and the seats and the starter button AND the engine and suspension. After all... you do spend the majority of your time with your car lookng at it from the inside out...

[George@Fourtitude]

I doubt it'll be $80K+, but I guess you never know. We'll see when they announce pricing. Given the UK pricing equivalent is in the 70k range and we usually get the cars cheaper than a straight up conversion, I'm hoping it'll be lower.

[Pete @ Stratmosphere]

UK Delivery delayed until March 2006. Milltek Sport has a confirmed order in the Audi order system in the UK and this is the official word. -Pete, Stratmosphere. 1-866-533-1777

[George@Fourtitude]

I wonder if that'll have an effect on US stock.