09 Sep 05
Inside, the RS4 is even more overtly sporting, with massively bolstered seats that really wouldn't look out of place in a BTCC racer (except, of course, for the leather trim). And at the touch of a button, the bolsters clinch you even tighter for press-on driving.
You'll find the usual drilled out alloy pedals, as well as a steering wheel with alloy-alike finish along its racer-style flat-bottom. Which we didn't like for its slippery and cheap-feeling finish, frankly. Likewise, the centre console mounted 'start' button, while a racer-ish touch, looked like something that should have been made from something like turned aluminium instead of plastic.
It's a car you get to know slowly (if you value your no-claims bonus, not to mention your licence). Fire up and ease in the surprisingly light clutch and engage first gear from the six on offer from the the chunky but direct six-speed manual. No drama, no intimidation - this is a car that instantly telegraphs easy-to-live-with vibes. It is also a car that you can stick in pretty much any gear you like and leave it there, confident that even with less than 1000rpm on the dial, it'll still pull with ease. I tried slotting sixth gear with just 800rpm showing and the barrel-chested Audi pulled away smoothly. Once we had 2000rpm on the clock, the pull got serious. Amazing, and testament to what you can achieve with 317lb ft of torque, of which 90percent is on tap from, you guessed it, 2000rpm.
