Audi’s next generation RS4 is coming soon and America could get its first wagon version

By Miles Branman July 13, 2015

Audi RS4 Avant — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The B7 Audi RS4 is an enthusiast’s dream: available manual transmission, a 4.2-liter, 420-horsepower V8, and all-wheel drive in a subtlty aggressive body. That’s why it was such a difficult pill to swallow when the German automaker decided not to ship the B8 RS4 in any form to the U.S.

Americans have now been without the RS4 since 2008, but the latest news of the next-generation RS4 includes a nugget of hope for those who have mourned its absence most. Car and Driver is reporting that Audi plans to introduce the B9 generation RS4 Avant very soon and a version of the high-powered estate could make it stateside.

Quattro GmbH boss Heinz Hollerweger confirmed the next generation RS4 will ditch the naturally-aspirated V8 for a twin-turbocharged V6, presumably with more than 420 HP, and added that the world won’t have to wait long after the 2016 A4 goes on sale this fall to see both the hotter S4 and range-topping RS4 Avant.

Before you get too excited, Hollerweger added a disclaimer to the discussion of a U.S. spec RS4 by mentioning that wagon sales in the States haven’t been spectacular, hence the disappearance of the A4 and A6 Avant. However, Audi did say wagon sales have been improving lately thanks to the Allroad derivatives, and the automaker is considering if an RS4 Avant would sell reasonably well here.

Interestingly, Hollerweger pondered if the RS4 would ship to America in an alternative form, perhaps as a four-door coupe. Either way, a sedan RS4 unfortunately is out of the question for the time being.

With the mid-range performance market re-heating thanks to models like the BMW M3, Mercedes C63 AMG, and upcoming Jaguar XE SVR, I’d strongly encourage Audi to take part in the ensuing battle, even if the RS4 didn’t sell like mad.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Miles Branman doesn't need sustenance; he needs cars. While the gearhead gene wasn't strong in his own family, Miles…

Cars

Best electric car charger deals: $100 off home charging stations

The handle of the Grizzl-E EV charger plugged into a vehicle.

A few years ago, electric vehicles were pretty rare or cost a fortune, but with more and more of the larger car brands getting into the game, there are a lot of excellent and even budget-friendly choices nowadays. That said, the electrical network for charging your cars might not be that widespread, so instead you'll have to rely on charging your car at home. Luckily, there are a lot of excellent car chargers at a discount, so if you've just bought an EV or want to upgrade your current charging solution, be sure to check out our favorite deals below.
Shockflo EV charger — $205, was $220

This EV charger by Shockflo is a Level 2 EV charger, which offers six times faster charging than a standard charger. It delivers 24 miles with just one hour of charging, and it can act as a mobile charger you can throw in the trunk or be mounted to a wall. It has an LCD display with useful information like charging rate, voltage, and charging time, as well as LED indicator lights that lets you know charging progress and errors.

Cars

Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more

Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs

Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.