2006 AUDI RS4

Introduced in 2005, the B7 generation RS4 represented a significant change in direction for Audi's flagship compact performance model. Where the previous B5 RS4 relied upon a Cosworth developed, twin-turbocharged V6, the B7 used an Audi in-house built, high-revving, naturally-aspirated 4.2-litre V8. Producing 414bhp and 317lb/ft of torque, with a redline of 8,250rpm, it was paired exclusively with a 6-speed manual gearbox and Audi's quattro four-wheel drive system. Performance was impressive for any car, and doubly impressive for a family sized estate car, with 0-62mph taking just 4.8 seconds and being electronically limited to a top speed of 155mph.

Offered as a Saloon, Avant and Cabriolet, the RS4 Avant is arguably the pinnacle of the 'bonkers' estate cars that appeared in the 2000s, encapsulating the RS philosophy nicely. It is a genuinely practical family estate with a muscular body, flared wheelarches, serious performance, a V8 soundtrack and a manual gearbox, yet looking discreet enough to sneak under the radar of non-car people.

B7 AUA is a particularly appealing example, finished in Light Silver Metallic and showing just 32,820 miles from new in the hands of its three owners. Registered on a ‘56 plate in 2006, the car presents in exceptional condition throughout, its paintwork is excellent, the interior is sumptuous and the engine bay is immaculate.

Beyond the already comprehensive RS4 specification from standard, this car was ordered with a particularly desirable list of options. Most notable are the sought after Recaro 'wingback' front seats, which remain in excellent condition with remarkably little wear, complemented by the flat-bottom RS steering wheel and carbon fibre interior trim.

The car was supplied to its current owner in 2021 and has subsequently formed part of a wider collection including the B5 also offered within the sale, with both cars covering very few miles during their ownership. Throughout our vendors tenure, it has been stored and maintained exclusively by Audi marque specialists, APS of Brackley. Whilst under their watch, preventative attention was also given to its Dynamic Ride Control suspension, a known issue point of the B7 RS4's. Rather than waiting for problems to arise with the original DRC system, it was replaced with the highly regarded KW Variant 3 adjustable coil-over suspension, offering a quality modern alternative whilst retaining the sporting character expected of the car.

A full and comprehensive history folder accompanies the RS4 and, prior to passing to its next custodian, it will receive a service and fresh MOT at APS. The Cherished Registration, B7 AUA, currently fitted is also included in the sale.

The B7 occupies a particularly interesting position within the RS4 story. Its combination of a naturally aspirated V8, manual gearbox and Quattro drivetrain belongs to an era of performance cars that simply will not be repeated, whilst the Avant retains all the practicality that made Audi's fast estates so appealing in the first place.

With the ever-increasing softening of cars from manufacturers, with electrification, shrinking engines, seamless automatic gearboxes and a whole host of additional regulations, the B7 RS4 is a bit of a last hurrah in the modern-classic world of estate cars. With its low mileage, rare Recaro wingbacks, 8,250rpm V8 and 6-speed manual gearbox, it is surely a future classic. There is irony in the B7’s strong point being its ability to slip under the radar in daily life, yet ironically we feel it has slipped under the radar of the collector car world for far too long.