Breakfast, Lunch, and BMW?

As the horsepower wars continue, the kings of the autobahn naturally come out on top simply because of their unique needs to cruise in triple-digit speeds. In terms of drivable and comfortable yet super-fast high performance cars, the choices stick out like a sore thumb. At one end of the spectrum, the more performance-oriented BMW M3 leads the Mercedes Benz C55 AMG and Audi S4. The M3 utilizes a naturally-aspirated 3.2 liter 6-cylinder with 333 horses while the Mercedes has a 362 horsepower 5.5 liter AMG V8. The Audi comes with a 4.2 liter V8 packing 340 horses. The M3 is the least powerful but the most nimble because of its light weight and track-inspired engineering. When Audi brings its new contender to the States this spring, however, BMW is getting a run for its money.

When Mercedes brought their killer “-55 AMG” models, the automotive industry was taken aback. Then they made an interesting move to stay one step ahead of the game and surprised the world yet again with unimaginably more power in their “-65 AMG” models. The Audi is playing a similar card by raising the bar with another variant of its A4 line. This time around, the RS4 is Audi’s answer for the world's most powerful sports saloon. The new RS4 uses the same 4.2 liter V8 found in the regular S4 as well as other top of the line Audis, but instead of 340 horses, it is tuned to produce a blurring 420. With new electronics in the engine—particularly the FSI system—the new Audi can rev up to an astonishing 8250 rpms. Of course, Audi’s trademark quattro technology splits the power between all four wheels with 40% to the front and 60% to the back. The endless hours of development brings this car to 60 mph in just 4.8 heartbeats and continues to relentlessly push you deeper into the firm bucket seats until the speedometer reads 155. Audi is receiving (and deserves) incredibly high remarks for the “wow” factor of their new RS4.

To the average person, the RS4 looks quite similar to its sibling S4. From the exterior, the major differences include ultra-large brake rotors, slightly different bumpers and side skirts, a new grille up front, two oval exhaust pipes in the back, a rear lid spoiler that is actually molded into the profile of the trunk, and new seven-spoke rims designed specifically for this car. The RS4 also sits lower than the A4 and has a wider stance. During development of the RS4, every change and update from the regular models has a reason for being, and all parts of the car were studied extensively for maximum weight reduction. Audi claims that every thought process within the design was geared towards building a better balanced and performing machine.

Some people would say it makes no sense for Audi to have an S4 model coexisting with an RS4 mode, but what do those people say about Mercedes and their 470-horsepower AMG station wagon? If that thing is real, who is to say Audi can’t have more than one extremely fast and well balanced A4? But as for eating BMWs for dinner? Close--very close--but no cigar... yet.

Specifications and photos from Audi AG