Audi RS4 Avant is a powerful station wagon we want, but won’t get

- This is the newest RS model in Audi’s six-car line-up slated for 2019. 

- Power from the twin-turbo V6 remains unchanged over the previous model.

It is a known fact now that Audi is on its biggest model offensive at the moment. Meanwhile, the Audi Sport performance division already announced an onslaught of six RS models by the end of 2019. The go-fast division dropped a new teaser with no less than six upcoming RS models which are slated to debut before the end of this year of which we have already seen - the RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ3 and RS Q3 Sportback. Now, the German carmaker has revealed the fifth car – the RS4 Avant. 

Sitting behind the redesigned fascia is the familiar 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 making 444bhp and 600Nm which is good enough for a 0-100kmph time of 4.1 seconds. And with the RS Dynamic package, the top speed can be increased from 250kmph to 280kmph. And all the power is sent to quattro permanent all-wheel drive system via the sporty eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox.

Appearance-wise, there’s the massive single-frame honeycomb grille along with the multi-point headlamp design, akin to the one seen on other Audis. Flanking the grille are wider and larger intakes in the contrasting chrome-black finish. Audi would also fit matrix headlamp as an optional extra. Meanwhile, the flared wheel arches are shod with 19-inch forged aluminium wheels which can be upgraded to 20-inch milled ones. Adding to the sportiness are massive 400mm perforated brake discs with six-piston callipers sporting a contrasting RS logo. At the back, the massive oval exhaust sitting snugly in the integrated diffusers screams performance as well. 

The cabin gets an update in the form of a new 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen. The driver-focused cockpit now gets new functions with reduced buttons and additional information including G-forces, acceleration and lap times. There’s optional heads-up display as well along with the standard Virtual Cockpit. And, as Audi claims, there are more than 30 driver assistance features packed behind this very fast estate.

Audi will publicly showcase the new RS4 Avant at the upcoming final race of DTM at the Hockenheimring before it hits the showrooms in December. Just like the previous model, Audi isn’t expected to introduce the new RS4 Avant in India either. But given the bonker performance and the cult following of the RS6 Avant in our country, a smaller, more accessible performance-estate like the RS4 Avant does make a viable choice.