2013 Audi RS4 Avant Spied
Despite being falsely accused by members of the B&B of hating wagons, I will formally declare that I adore them – I’m just a realist about their sales prospects in the United States. The 2013 Audi RS4 Avant forces me to confront the dissonance over lusting after such a car, while knowing that it would be a non-starter in North America for all but the most eccentric rich dudes, ala the Mercedes E63 Wagon.
The crew at AutoGuide obtained these spy shots, and apparently this car will share the RS5’s 4.2L V8 and 7-speed dual clutch gearbox. Personally, I’m pulling for this, as a naturally aspirated V8 is a welcome change from the boosted engines being offered in so many of Audi’s (and other manufacturers) vehicles these days. The RS4 will get an official reveal at March’s Geneva Auto Show. Look for a brown version to show up in a press fleet near you sometime soon.
More by Derek Kreindler
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The best things in life are rarely the best sellers.
I honestly can't see the point of Audi masking its new cars, as apart from the proportions, they will look exactly the same as Audi's existing models.
Yup, you can forget the RS4 Avant for the USA, as well as that Subaru XTI or S model Forester with the WRX engine, and oh so many other vehicles. Instead we'll get the A4 Allroad with the usual 2.0 Turbo Audi engine. The apparent problem, Subaru reps told me, is EPA red tape makes it hideously difficult and expensive to bring new models to the USA. Foreign Automakers won't bring 'em unless they know they will sell a gadzillion of each.
While I understand it, I never quite bought into the "don't buy used, the repairs are costly" mentality. These cars new, depreciated many many times over the repair costs to keep a an older one on the road. And you don't need to spend $50 to $60K up front. What is wrong with putting up only $17 to $20k and then spending an additional $1 to $2k on additional repairs as things wear out. These cars do run well in my experience. I have never been left stranded, even on occasions where there was something definitely wrong. My old Camry fills in when (rarely) needed.