A Closer Look At The 2023 Audi RS4 Avant

The Audi RS4 Avant in 2023 is more luxurious and engaging than ever, without any compromise on everyday practicality whatsoever.

There are times when car makers throughout the world spend prodigious amounts of money on R&D trying to make lumbering SUVs behave like sports cars, but it’s refreshing to see a company that still believes that low and light is the apparent answer to building a load-lugger that is fast and fun to drive. 

In late 2020, Audi launched the facelifted version of the fourth-generation B9 RS4 Avant when it was in the middle of myriad lockdowns owing to the pandemic. As a result, the vehicle was mostly lost in the crowd except for the most ardent Audi enthusiasts. This is particularly true since the car could be telegraphed by subtle cosmetic updates like new LED headlights, tail lights, and other cosmetic changes. Furthermore, as part of Audi’s effort to make the RS4 Avant even more potent, they introduced two new competition packs: Competition and Competition Plus. As a result of these two upgrades, the RS 4 Avant will be sharper, more responsive, and more engaging to drive, making it a more exciting car. Simply put, the Competition and the Competition plus packages consist of a series of detailed chassis hardware and software upgrades, along with some minor cosmetic changes that have been packed inside. 

2023 The Audi RS4 Avant is a thought-provoking car that is fun and fast when it wants to be but useful when it needs to be.

The On-Point Deutsche Dynamics

A 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 Porsche engine designed by Porsche that was installed under the hood of Audi’s 2023 RS4 Avant has been left unaltered. Audi engineers have widely reported that chasing more power from an internal combustion engine in these days where emissions and fuel consumption targets are being slashed ever more firmly would simply be too costly to earn a return on the investment, they said.

While all of the engine’s hardware remains unchanged, its output is 444 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Competition Plus package includes remapped software that allows for better throttle response and quicker shifts from the eight-speed automatic transmission. The car is also faster, thanks to a unique Quattro sport differential, by about 0.2 seconds, compared to the regular RS4 Avant’s 4.1-second 0-60 mph acceleration time, which makes RS4 a 60 mph run in 3.9 seconds.

The Jaw-Dropping Hardware and Software Integration

In addition to that, other changes have been made to the software that handles the controls of the engine and transmission. As a result, all the drive mode shifts can be made much faster. This also leads to a greater discrepancy between the different modes of driving. As a result, there will be an increase in the maximum speed limit with the introduction of the new rule. 

On the vehicle’s steering wheel, there is an RS button that can be pressed to provide a quick shortcut. Nevertheless, if the driver wishes to switch to RS mode, they can press it twice, leaving the throttle and transmission settings to the car’s computer, while the stability control levels and steering settings can be programmed individually.

There is one set that must be put on the RS configurable menu to use the RS in a fast and fun manner, and that is the high setting, but not the Comfort setting on the steering column. Considering that the steering ratio never varies, the only difference one can find is the steering weight which is because the steering ratio never varies. The steering in Comfort mode has a certain softness and accuracy to it, which is simply dulled when it is set to Dynamic, where more weight is imposed on it.

A buyer who chooses to upgrade the package to Competition Plus will get all of this equipment plus more. As an example, there is the RS Sport Suspension Pro manual adjustable damper system, for example. The changes are reported to result in a drop of 0.39 inches over the ride height of standard RS trims. A buyer can then choose to drop the height by another 0.39 inches if he or she so desires.

The suspension has a higher spring rate, three-way adjustable dampers, stiffer stabilizers, and a higher spring rate. As part of the Competition Plus model, the dynamic steering assist has been replaced by a fixed 1:13.1 ratio. Added to the Quattro Sport Differential is a revised data set emphasizing sending power to the rear wheel to give the differential better stability. Furthermore, the upgraded ABS software and ceramic brakes help reduce the stopping distance as compared to the previous version.

In terms of the interior, there are Piano Black side panels on the seats. In the RS Sport, a mix of Dinamica faux suede and Pearl Nappa leather is available with a leather finish. The seat belts, which have a black outer edge and a red outer edge, are black in color.

It is anticipated that the Competition and Competition Plus packs will be available in Europe starting in July 2023. The cost of the competition equipment shall be somewhere around $7,786, and the price of Competition Plus is $11,739. However, it is worth every penny spent on it because it delivers the critical pieces of hardware and associated software that transform the handling of the high-performance Audi wagon.