Audi RS4 Avant RETURNS with 444bhp for Audi’s Hot Estate

The 2018 Audi RS4 Avant debuts at the Frankfurt Motor SHow, delivering 444bhp from its 2.9 litre turbo V6. Arrives in the UK early next year.

Who needs 444bhp in a compact-ish estate car? No one – but if the option is there, it’d be rude not to embrace it.

If that’s how you think – and a properly practical, not too big, appealing estate car with supercar performance appeals – then this 2018 Audi RS4 Avant will be right up your street.

This time, as big V8s (sadly) lose favour, the RS4 returns with a still appealing 2.9 litre twin turbo V6 boasting a very healthy 444bhp and 442lb/ft of torque, permanent four-wheel drive, Sport Suspension and an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

That all adds up to promisingly appealing performance, with 62mph hit in just 4.1 seconds and on to 174mph (if you shell out for Audi to take off the restrictor by opting for the Dynamic Package), and economy improved (at least officially) to 32.1mpg.

As you’d expect, the RS4 is a regular Avant to look at, but one that’s been busy at the gym, with big air intakes at the front, 19″ alloys, roof edge spoiler, bigger wheel arches and RS oval tail pipes. Inside there’s RS sports seats, flat-bottomed RS steering wheel and Audi Virtual Cockpit.

The Audi RS4 Avant will go on sale in the UK after Frankfurt, with first customer cars due in early 2018.