RS4 Sedan Out Of Production????

[Euroluv]

Here's one that makes no one happy: Audi may have ceased producing the four-door version of its Bimmer-beating hot rod. Why? According to the lads at Autocar.co.uk, Audi is killing off their best car ever to make room for the upcoming twin-turbo V10 RS6, which bows in Frankfurt this September. Apparently Audi is concerned that keeping the RS4 around will hurt sales of the RS6. Which is insane. Case in point, they will continue building the RS4 Avant and Convertible. Just yesterday we were reading in GoAuto.com how BMW Group Australia's managing director Guenther Seemann doesn't consider Audi a threat. At first were thought it was just typical slick corporate PR. But if our British brothers are right, if Audi is too insecure to sell both the RS4 and RS6 side by side, then I am afraid Herr Seemann has something besides a tragic last name. He has a point. Also of course, no word whatsoever if Audi is bringing the RS4 Avant to the States. But because of the brewhaha about a crash-test issue with battery placement, they probably won't. We think Homer said it best, "Life Is Just One Crushing Defeat After Another 'Till You Just Wish Flanders Was Dead."

[Ultras4]

but they are bringing in the RS4 Cab! I can't wait to see the RS6!!

[AudiGuy666]

I read about this too

[SoCalRS4]

rs6 is going to be stupid fast. and its definetly going to be an m5 killer. i mean twin turbo i mean a simple ecu will push it well over the 600hp range. wow i cant wait for this beast. to bad im moving to the e92 m3 but hey. maybe ill pick up one of these

[First Audi]

This would be unfortunate. I just bought a '07 S4 last week and I'm already saving for a RS4!

[RAudi Driver]

So does that mean that the B7 RS4 will be a one year production for the U.S.? If so, that car will be worth something for years to come.

[oajr]

hoping so!!!

[dietrichls]

That's one of the main reasons, I think, the previous RS6's value has held up so well is the limited production run. Here's personal self-interest hoping for a limited run!

[RenoAudiNV]

Now if they were producing RS4 Avants for US, I could see the logic in this decision.

[belinko]

I don't understand why AoA would cease production of the RS4 sedan?

The RS6 and RS4 are two different vehicles for two different drivers. I can't imagine if BMW said, we're no longer making the M3, because we're starting production on the M5.

Well, AoA is planning to bring the RS4 cab across the pond , instead of the avant .

What the hell is AoA thinking? IMHO, If they can only bring one body style at a time, then they should at least figure out how to offer all of the packages and options for the vehicle (black optic, etc.) before they cross it of the list. Nevertheless, I'm still waiting for an avant.

I don't know if you guys are aware of the fact, that it is now possible to import an RS6 avant from the EU, without converting all of the crap, because the RS6 sedan was sold here in the states not to long ago. If this holds true, we may be able to import the RS4 avant in couple of years.

[mercury26]

Well, the A4 is going out of production soon to be replaced by a newer body style. So all in all this is really not surprising.

Cheers,

Chuck

[Applejacks]

Audi changing their body styles and models so often makes me sick. AUDI IS GARBAGE.

[V-8]

I don't understand why AoA would cease production of the RS4 sedan?

The RS6 and RS4 are two different vehicles for two different drivers. I can't imagine if BMW said, we're no longer making the M3, because we're starting production on the M5.

AoA isn't ceasing production, quattro GmbH is, and their RS cars have always been limited production so this isn't unexpected.

Well, AoA is planning to bring the RS4 cab across the pond , instead of the avant

What the hell is AoA thinking?

AoA tried to get the Avant, but here's why it is not coming to North America:

"Audi of America was well in tune with the situation and sought to homologate the RS4 Avant. Unfortunately, the design of the car became an impossible stumbling block based on US vehicle safety standards. The specific problem was Avant’s open trunk design combined with the battery location in the rear of the vehicle. Massive costs would be incurred to either relocate the battery and redesign the electrical system or to reinforce the area around the battery. In both cases additional crash testing would be required. The cost of doing this additional design work and testing would have made the price of each RS4 Avant astronomical."

IMHO, If they can only bring one body style at a time, then they should at least figure out how to offer all of the packages and options for the vehicle (black optic, etc.) before they cross it of the list. Nevertheless, I'm still waiting for an avant.

For MY 2008 the Titanium package as well as the Audi exclusive package are available to order in North America. The latter is limited to a small number of dealers, but it is available nonetheless.

[mdf]

I hate to break this to you guys, but I saw a full fledged RS4 Cab in Belvedere, CA, yesterday....

[Kem]

I think its a work-load issue, quattro gbmh cannot make the rs4 and rs6 at the same time. The RS4 was always touted as being a very limited 1 year run only. Audi has already built more then they said they would and also extended the production a little longer.

I don't think the news is that crushing, there will surely be a B8 RS4 and there are plenty of them in U.S. where if you really want one you can get one. However they are still limited production which gives it that niche charm of a vehicle.

[DenverNoob]

i know we often forget this to a certain degree...but Audi, unlike BMW, really has 3 levels of car within each of its chassis....

BMW gets a series and an M couterpart. We get A, S, and RS (and now the r8...but that is its own thing alltogether). RS never has been, nor will it be a long-term production car. it adds not only to its resale value, but also to its mystique and respect within the automotive community. nice as an M3 can be....they are still a dime-a-dozen. in the big southern cities, you can't piss without hitting one...and even here in CO where RWD cars are def. not the rage, they are still common. they may outperform their S counterparts...but the RS4 is 2 MYs ahaead of the new M3, and was never designed to compete with the m5 or 6. any RS will, in all liklihood, outperform its most recent M counterpart (in the case of the RS, that would be the e46 m3, not the new e9? m3). to get above RS, BMW owners must go DINAN or otherwise...nothing straight from the factory exists.

I know when i see these RS beasts i always admire them...they are indeed rare! understated and over-performing for their given class...fairly subtle exterrior styling cues and only the trained eye can pick one out from a distance...

so I say Audi is smart...they arent whoring out their more "exotic" segment of vehicles...and that alone, IMO, puts them on a similar level to other comparably priced and hard-to-find cars like maserati, for example.

[S44JR]

The A4 will still be produced...it will be on the new platform used by the A5. There will be and A5, S5, RS5 and S5 Cabriolet according to Audi the latter for 09' & 10'

And yes the RS4 is done for now...

[belinko]

V-8 Thanks for the clarification.

How can the B7 avants pass the safety guidelines? I had an E30 Bimmer with a battery in the trunk, how did that pass? Just curious?

[Kem]

Do A4 and S4 Avants have their battery in the trunk?

My friend says his 325xiT wagon has a battery in the trunk.

V-8 Thanks for the clarification.

How can the B7 avants pass the safety guidelines? I had an E30 Bimmer with a battery in the trunk, how did that pass? Just curious?

[DenverNoob]

A4 and S4, IIRC, have their batteries up front near the firewall. only the RS4 had it moved to the trunk.

one reason BMW now is putting the battery back there is that they no longer come with an OEM spare...all of these new bimmers come with runflats...so they can move that weight back there to get right at 50/50 distribution. keep in mind while the overall cars are heavy enough...some of these batteries weigh in excess of 60lbs.

[Anthony]

The RS cars have always been limited to a one year production run, usually during the last year of the platform. This has changed a tad though in recent years.

[vladbe]

Why has BMW always had their battery in the trunk sedan and touring. Yet Audi comes up with an excuse that having the battery in the trunk causes the car to not be imported to the US????? Audi still makes a lot of stupid mistakes. Thats why BMW still wins. Once Audi starts making better decisions then they will be a true competitor for BMW.

[misterted]

RS4 Cab is Coming to the US

[10MPG]

Looks like the whole thing is a big "misunderstanding"

http://news.windingroad.com/body-sty...y-exaggerated/

"Chris Bokich, my new boss and former A3/A4/A5/RS4 product manager for the US says this is completely untrue. There will be a full build of the 2008 model year RS4 sedan, and production is still continuing. We have stated before that the RS 4 will have a 2-yr model run, 2008 being that second year."

[Kem]

Update:

Rumors of the Audi RS4's death have been at least slightly exaggerated, an Audi spokesman has said. Last week, British car magazine Autocar claimed Audi would end production of the RS4 imminently to make way for the RS6. Not quite true, says Patrick Hespen of Audi Media Relations.

"There will be a full build of the 2008 model year RS4 sedan, and production is still continuing," Hespen told Winding Road. He said the RS4 was only ever meant to have a two year production run, with 2008 being that second year.

Hespen said Audi will continue its tradition of offering only one "RS" model at a time, meaning the RS6 will have to wait for the 2009 model year (mid-calender 2008) to enter the fold.

Given Audi's dedication to its "one RS car at a time" policy, chances for an RS5 seem slim. Instead, it looks like A5 enthusiasts will have to be content with with the S5 for now.

As for a more potent R8, we already know it's in the works, but any type of "RS" designation can be ruled out. "R8 S," "R9," or even "R10" remain possibilities, however."

http://www.leftlanenews.com/audi-rs4...clarified.html

[puma9mg]

Maybe not...

http://news.windingroad.com/body-sty...y-exaggerated/