Got some track time in a RS4
12-08-2007, 11:16 AM
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Got some track time in a RS4
I have been contemplating buying a RS4 for some time. It is a car that somehow works for me; nice enough and fairly low-profile for the performance it has.
I have read a LOT of reviews and these tend to portray an image of a car that is "safe" and pushes at the limit. These are not necessarily characteristics I like in a car.
So to figure out if a RS4 is 'fun' to drive, I booked myself into a "RS4 experience" at the local track. This included a briefing, driving tips, 30min track time and then some hot laps with a instructor.
The briefing was fairly basic and directed to the track newbie, I thought it was quite nice anyway. Then we get taken to the track and I get a really good chance to see the RS4 up close and personal. It is a nice car to look at imho. The exterior lines are nice, the interior is a bit old fashioned in some way, but of very very high quality, a nice place to be. Trunk is big and fits 3 golf bags easy. Maybe you can tell that I had a lot of time to walk around...
The cars we drove were rather new w. abt 2000km on the clock.
Then its my turn to drive. We get settled in the car, check the controls, all ok and we're off. The instructor asks me if I had done track days before. I say 'yes' and he replied; 'ok, go for it'. I did. The first corners are tentative of course. When you get up to speed the RS4 does not lean much and after you settle it into the corner it just carves. The limits are VERY high, you can carry a lot of speed. What baffled me was the 4wd system, I was going through corners at WOT, the same corners where in the S2000 its an exercise of VERY delicate throttle control. And the RS4 at WOT pulls hard!
The instructor was excellent, he kept showing me how to maximise entry speed and smooth fast corner exits. I thought I was a 'good driver' but a pro can really move you up a notch. It was fun to catch up to the other cars (RS4's, 320 hp STi's and TT's) and have the instructor radio ahead, "This is Sean in the RS4, we're coming through".
The RS4 to me was a friendly beast. It snarles nicely on acceleration, it corners hard and stays stable in a manner that inspires confidence. The confidence allowed me to go fast in a car that I have not previously driven in anger.
So is the RS4 good enough to buy? I have certainly moved a long way towards 'yes'. Lets see.
I have read a LOT of reviews and these tend to portray an image of a car that is "safe" and pushes at the limit. These are not necessarily characteristics I like in a car.
So to figure out if a RS4 is 'fun' to drive, I booked myself into a "RS4 experience" at the local track. This included a briefing, driving tips, 30min track time and then some hot laps with a instructor.
The briefing was fairly basic and directed to the track newbie, I thought it was quite nice anyway. Then we get taken to the track and I get a really good chance to see the RS4 up close and personal. It is a nice car to look at imho. The exterior lines are nice, the interior is a bit old fashioned in some way, but of very very high quality, a nice place to be. Trunk is big and fits 3 golf bags easy. Maybe you can tell that I had a lot of time to walk around...
The cars we drove were rather new w. abt 2000km on the clock.
Then its my turn to drive. We get settled in the car, check the controls, all ok and we're off. The instructor asks me if I had done track days before. I say 'yes' and he replied; 'ok, go for it'. I did. The first corners are tentative of course. When you get up to speed the RS4 does not lean much and after you settle it into the corner it just carves. The limits are VERY high, you can carry a lot of speed. What baffled me was the 4wd system, I was going through corners at WOT, the same corners where in the S2000 its an exercise of VERY delicate throttle control. And the RS4 at WOT pulls hard!
The instructor was excellent, he kept showing me how to maximise entry speed and smooth fast corner exits. I thought I was a 'good driver' but a pro can really move you up a notch. It was fun to catch up to the other cars (RS4's, 320 hp STi's and TT's) and have the instructor radio ahead, "This is Sean in the RS4, we're coming through".
The RS4 to me was a friendly beast. It snarles nicely on acceleration, it corners hard and stays stable in a manner that inspires confidence. The confidence allowed me to go fast in a car that I have not previously driven in anger.
So is the RS4 good enough to buy? I have certainly moved a long way towards 'yes'. Lets see.
12-11-2007, 01:16 AM
#7
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Originally Posted by CKit,Dec 8 2007, 01:30 PM
one of the better reviews on a car i've read recently on any car forums...i test drove an RS4 too, the interior is the BEST i've ever seen IMHO (esp. compared to e63, sl55, m5/6), the quality is just stunning, and the layout is simple but very elegant, and user friendly.
the v8 had a quiet rumble on the streets, and when you make the engine spin north of 6000rpm it just freakin screams.
the steering...is fantastic. yeah i love this car
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