Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Spied: New Audi RS4 Avant caught lapping the Nurburgring

. Wednesday, March 30, 2011

For what appears to be its first outing, our spy photographers have captured some great shots of the new Audi RS4 Avant stretching its legs at the Nurburgring. While to the untrained eye this test-mule may appear to be just another S4 Avant; the flared fenders, aggressive snout and 20" RS5-derived wheels give away an identity of something much more potent.

How potent? Well, at the moment that answer is still shrouded in mystery. Rumors have pointed to either a force-fed 3.0 TFSI V6 or the high-revving 4.2-liter V8 currently found in the RS5 to reside under the hood (we're betting on the 4.2 V8). In addition to the question of drivetrain, we will also have to wait to see what the finished product looks like--which depends on the A4's next facelift due in 2012. Leading then to the assumption that a new RS4 could be revealed within the next two years.

As Audi of America's inclusion of the RS5 and TT RS to their future lineup suggests, bringing the RS4 to North America could be a very real possibility. We imagine nearly all of our American and Canadian readers will agree, we're desperately hoping to see an RS4 Avant grace these roads for the first time.