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Audi RS4 (2006)

RS. Audi doesn't slap the two letters on its cars very lightly. The S4 has so far been the staple of the German maker's small-sedan line, and to earn its extra letter, the RS4 has had to pack on another 74 horsepower, an 8250rpm redline, sportier underpinnings and a buffer appearance. The DOHC 32-valve V8 still displaces 4163cc's, but with its new redline and FSI (as in Fuel Straight Injection) - which sees the fuel injected directly into the combustion chambers rather than the intake manifold - the hot-rod Audi can now boast of almost 100 hp-per-litre.

Cross-drilled and vented brake rotors are over-sized at all four corners, reaching 365mm diameters in the front. The chassis also benefits from the newest version of Quattro, featuring a locking Torsen centre differential, and DRC (dynamic ride control), which hydraulically connects diagonally opposed shocks in order to reduce dive, squat and roll. The result is body motions as controlled as an M3's, with softer spring rates and less harshness. The exterior receives the macho treatment as well, particularly the rear end, with its twin exhaust and pseudo-diffuser, and beautiful cross-spoked 19-inch alloys.

The RS 4 doesn't quite have the race-car personality of the more hard-edged and involving M3, nor is it a continent-shrinking grand tourer like the C55 AMG. It is however, faster and out rightly more capable than either of these cars, and that's the bottom line when you're paying big bucks for big horsepower. Unfortunately, the RS4 sets the entry level at 70 large, and that sort of money nearly brings up shattering V10 M5s and 479hp E55 AMGs. Choices abound for the power hungry, and that's always a good thing. - by Traian Popescu

Specifications