2012 ABT RS4 Avant

Every new generation of the Audi RS4, having been on sale since 1999 and traditionally tuned by ABT Sportsline, has seen an uprating. Incidentally, even its legendary forefather, the RS2 (315 hp/232 kW), is still at a par with many modern sports cars. Although the RS4 is now powered by a 4.2l V8 with 450 hp (331 kW) and accelerates faster than previous generations, one essential number hasn’t changed at all: its top speed of 250 km/h. The reason is its factory electronic speed limiter. But the globally largest tuner of cars produced by the Volkswagen Group has filed down the electronic speed chain, as it were, and the ABT RS4 now reaches a top speed of almost 290 km/h.

You could almost think the new car from Bavaria would “roar” out of excitement and joy, but its full bass comes from the optionally available stainless-steel exhaust system. From the catalytic converter, ABT Sportsline replaces the system with optimised components on which the serially very musical V8 always seems to find the right tone. It goes without saying that the Bavarians also offer a TÜV approval for this “brass instrument”.

In visual terms, the standard RS4 Avant is certainly not a nobody, but the tuning company has discovered more potential for a better look in its wheel houses. ABT uses one size larger alloy wheels in its ABT DR design in 9 x 20 inches. These dimensions aside, their design also means more dynamism. There is the cool gun metal finish and the spokes arranged like a turbine blade. To make the car’s muscular appearance perfect, the Bavarian car tuner also installs 25mm wheel spacers on each side. And finally there is the ABT boot mat and the matching set of floor mats. After all, your foot on the pedal should feel comfortable: It will now be able to take the car beyond 250 km/h…

Story by Audi AG