I still love my S2000, though!

 

Another source at Audi claimed the RS4 will run through 2008... which is probably when the B7 A4 Chassis will bow out for the new one based on the A5/S5 architecture.

 

that's the only Audi I like

 

you don't like the R8??

 

i gotta say... the only one RS car at a time doesnt sound that great...

Regardless of what Audi marketing claims, it needs to compete ... infact, it has competed in EVERY sedan class with BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus... they are a "for-profit" company...

i see a much better chance of the RS4 being more successful than an RS6...

now, if they just want to hold off on the nameplate... meaning, put the RS4's motor and drivetrain into the regular S4, and compete with the new M3 and C63... that would make a lot of sense...

 

Although an RS6 would compete better with an E63 AMG.

 

when I read the titile I thought you had lost your RS4.

I agree with iceman that if the RS4 is selling OK and audi is making money on it they should keep making them.

Its like Chevy has the Z06 (etc..) as long as they can sell x number of cars why not keep making them?

There could be people that don't want a S4 and maybe they want a RS4 or a M3. So Audi is just letting those people walk out the door and for all we know they could buy a BMW or Lexus and never come back to audi.

There is a reason Lexus is making it's IS-F and BMW is makes it's M3 and MB makes its C63 AMGs. There is more profit in the cars that cost 2x the base car. Not to mention the car magazines want to test them and give all that publicity. as well as a step up car. Say a young person buys a RS4 today maybe 4 years from now he buys a RS6 and so many years later buys a S8.

There is something to be said for keeping the number of units low such as Ferrari with their waiting list. But audi is not Ferrari and Audi is trying to grow. Eat or be eaten.

 

Hmmm...RS4 is easier to swallow over the RS6, that's gonna be expensive regardless of badge. RS4 cabrio for US in 08 though, tempting.

 

The previous version RS6 didn't sell very well, wondering why they would focus all their resources towards it. One reason they might be ending the RS4 is the rumor that the engine on the RS5 will be a turboed V8 putting out in excess of 500 hp. So maybe a re-work to put that engine in the RS4 to be re-introduced at a later time.

 

Well, you could say that the current RS4 "isn't selling well" as they're moving less units than the pathetic RL... or you could be referring to the Denver RS6 debacle where they horded units a little too long....

I don't know what different auto makers philosophies are. There are some elite athletes who retire at the peak of their game, wanting to be remembered as a legend in their own time. Then there are others that peter out at the twilight of their careers... because they're still making some money.

And really, we're talking about 1,300 units per year. If they end the run early and they lose a "few" customers... I don't think it'll make much ultimate difference. Maybe those potential RS4 owners would get an S5 or an R8. Or maybe they'd lose them altogether to BMW. But I can tell you that personally, I knew that the RS4 would be a limited run and that prompted me to buy one this year. If they kept extending the runs, I would've waited a year and considered the S5 instead. So they actually GOT my business because of the anticipated limited run....