Verdict
A
Performance Saloon · Germany · 2000-Present
Audi RS4
Audi RS4 — spec data and generation history.
Years
2000-Present
Generations
4
Segment
Performance Saloon
RS-tier A4 — Audi's volume performance saloon/estate. B5 (2000–2001) — 2.7T biturbo V6, Avant only, 376 bhp. B7 (2006–2008) — 4.2 V8 NA, 414 bhp, manual only. B8 (2012–2015) — 4.2 V8 NA, 444 bhp, S-Tronic only, Avant only in UK. B9 (2017-Present) — 2.9 TFSI biturbo V6, 444 bhp, 8AT, Avant only in UK. RS4 GT (final special, 2024) with 470 bhp.
What changed
Era-to-era deltas
B7 2006-2008 → B8 2012-2015
BHP +30 bhp
Torque +40 Nm
0–60 mph −0.1 s
Top speed +0 mph
MPG +5 mpg
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
2000-2001
B5
→
2.7 biturbo V6 Avant — 376 bhp, 0-62 in 4.9s.
Verdict
A
BHP
376
0–60
4.9 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
20.0 mpg
Used
£18,000-£35,000
- + Cosworth-built engine
- + Avant-only — sleeper estate
- − Turbo seal failures
- − Heavy thirst
2006-2008
B7
→
4.2 V8 quattro — 414 bhp, 0-62 in 4.8s.
Verdict
A
BHP
414
0–60
4.8 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
17.0 mpg
Used
£18,000-£35,000
- + 4.2 V8 NA — 8250 rpm
- + Saloon, Avant, Cabriolet bodies
- − Heavy thirst
- − DRC suspension wear
2012-2015
B8
→
4.2 V8 quattro Avant — 444 bhp, 0-62 in 4.7s.
Verdict
A
BHP
444
0–60
4.7 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
22.0 mpg
Used
£28,000-£48,000
- + Last NA V8 RS4
- + Avant only — sleeper estate
- − No manual
- − Carbon build-up
2017-Present
B9
→
2.9 TFSI biturbo Avant — 444 bhp, 0-62 in 4.1s.
Verdict
A
BHP
444
0–60
4.1 s
Top
174 mph
MPG
27.0 mpg
Used
£42,000-£82,000
- + Twin-turbo V6 broader powerband
- + 8AT smooth
- − No NA V8 sound
- − No manual
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
2000-2001 · B5
- 2.7T biturbo turbo seal failures
- Carbon build-up
- Multitronic CVT (some)
2006-2008 · B7
- 4.2 V8 timing chain stretch
- DRC suspension wear
- Carbon build-up
2012-2015 · B8
- 4.2 V8 carbon build-up
- S-Tronic 7DCT mechatronic
- Run-flat tyres
2017-Present · B9
- EA839 PCV diaphragm
- 8AT mechatronic
- MMI freezes pre-2020
Rivals
BMW M3 · Mercedes-AMG C63 · Audi RS5 · BMW M2