(February 15, 2012) The latest hot-rod wagon from Audi, the 2013 RS 4 Avant, were revealed today nearly a month before the car’s scheduled debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

The “RS” prefix signifies a performance version of a regular Audi model, Audi’s version of BMW’s M Division and Mercedes-Benz’s AMG in-house tuner. To show that the RS4 is more than an ordinary station wagon, Audi gave it some more aggressive exterior styling, including a new front fascia with larger, lower air intakes, flared wheel arches, and a rear diffuser with cannon-sized tailpipes.



The RS4 shares its platform with the RS5 coupe, and it shares its two-door cousin’s heart, a 4.2-liter V8. This is the same engine that was used in the previous RS 4, and the R8 supercar. It will produce 450 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Audi says the new RS 4 will rocket from 0 to 62 in 4.7 seconds and have a top speed of 155 mph and be tuned to 175 mph. No less impressively, it achieves all this while potentially returning up to 25.7 mpg according to the combined cycle test.

On the inside, the RS4 gets a flat-bottomed steering wheel and carbon-fiber trim to distinguish it from an ordinary A4. It will probably get strongly bolstered bucket seats as well, to keep the driver in place through hard cornering.

The RS 4 will be the fastest station wagon in production when it makes its official debut at Geneva next month.