Sporty Setup: The Suspension

The suspension’s axle concept with five-link suspensions at the front and rear enables the optimal absorption of longitudinal and lateral forces. With the standard RS sport suspension, theAudi RS 4 Avant is seven millimeters (0.3 in.) lower than the S4 base model with sport suspension.

The RS sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) enables even more agile handling and is available upon request. This integrated roll and pitch stabilizer consists of a special damper system that counteracts the movements of the vehicle body with no delay without the use of electronics. When the car is turning into or traveling around a bend, the damper response is altered so that the vehicle’s movements are significantly reduced along the longitudinal axis (roll) and the transverse axis (pitch). The dampers are each connected diagonally to a central valve via two separate oil lines. The valves provide the necessary compensating volume via internal pistons with the gas-filled compartment behind them. When the vehicle is steering into and traveling around a bend, an oil flow is generated between the diagonally opposite dampers via the central valve, thus creating additional damping force. When one side is cushioned, the damping characteristics are altered such that roll and pitch movements are almost eliminated. As a result, this highly responsive damper system ensures that the RS models are particularly precise when negotiating bends.

With the aid of Audi drive select, the driver can influence the damper response in three stages and thereby personalize the driving experience. The current generation of dampers with integrated switching valve is compact and lightweight. In addition, it enables the damping forces to be spread even more widely between the comfort and dynamic modes as well as more precise suspension adjustment for high damping forces, which occur particularly when cornering at speed. The result: the RS sport suspension with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) ensures a markedly comfortable rolling motion in the “comfort” setting. In the “dynamic” program, it delivers extraordinarily taut driving precision even when cornering at high speed.

The driving dynamics can be further enhanced with the RS sport suspension pro. This manually adjustable coilover suspension is part of the competition plus package and, despite its more uncompromising characteristics compared to the RS sport suspension plus, still offers the best possible balance between comfort and sportiness. Compared to the conventional RS 4 Avant, customers receive their vehicle with a trim position that is 10 mm (0.4 in.) lower, where lowering by a further 10 mm allows a maximum of 20 mm (0.8 in.) compared to standard models. For an even greater driving experience, Audi Sport GmbH offers a higher spring rate, triple-adjustable dampers, and stiffer stabilizers.

RS-specific dynamic steering is available as an alternative to the standard electromechanical power steering. Dynamic steering varies the steering ratio based on the driving speed, steering angle and selected mode in the Audi drive select handling system. In combination with the competition plus package, the dynamic steering is fixed to a gear ratio of 1:13.1. At low driving speeds – in city traffic and while maneuvering – dynamic steering operates very directly; all it takes is two full turns to go from end stop to end stop. The level of power assistance is also high, making parking maneuvers a piece of cake. On country roads, the directness and the electric assistance are progressively reduced. Indirect gear ratios and low power assist are used to smooth out unsteady steering movements and enable straight tracking at fast expressway speeds. Dynamic steering works closely with the electronic stabilization control program (ESC) to achieve sporty handling and driving safety. If necessary, it counter-steers slightly; its slight corrections, most of which are unnoticeable to the driver, reduce understeer and oversteer due to load alterations in the vast majority of situations. When braking on road surfaces with different friction coefficients, the system helps by means of stabilizing steering corrections.

The driver can create their personal driving experience via the standard Audi drive select dynamic handling system. There are five profiles available: comfort, auto, dynamic and the customizable, RS-specific RS1 and RS2 modes. The Audi drive select dynamic handling system influences the engine and transmission management, the power steering, the suspension, the dynamic steering, the quattro sport differential, the engine sound, and the characteristics of the automatic air conditioning.

The new RS 4 Avant is factory-equipped with 19-inch forged aluminum 265/35 wheels. Various 20-inch designs are available upon request, including a new fully milled five-arm wheel painted completely in matte bronze. It uses 275/30 tires. The 20 inch phantom black competition wheel with a high-gloss finish is new.

This wheel can be combined with the Pirelli P Zero Corsa due to its inclusion in the competition package. Powerful RS steel brakes with perforated composite disks ensure confident deceleration behavior. They have a diameter of 375 millimeters (14.8 in.) at the front axle and 330 millimeters (13 in.) at the rear axle. The six-piston brake calipers with RS logos are painted in black, or optionally in red. Upon request, particularly fade-resistant RS ceramic brakes operate at the front axle. The calipers are available in red, gray, and blue. Their perforated disks have a diameter of 400 millimeters (15.7 in.).

The equipment, data and prices specified in this document refer to the model range offered in Germany. Subject to change without notice; errors and omissions excepted.