2007 Audi RS4

2007 Audi RS4

The Audi RS4 holds a magical quality for its fans. A unique balance of price, all-wheel drive performance, and luxury, the RS4 managed to carve out its own niche in the tightly competitive luxury performance marketplace, but despite this it may not see a return during the life of the current-generation B8 model A4.

Downsizing engines and expanding green technologies is the new wave in performance engineering as companies strive to meet toughening fuel economy and emissions regulations on both sides of the Atlantic.

And with Audi’s performance portfolio already consisting of the recently revealed RS3, and U.S.-bound RS5 and TT RS, as well as the R8, a new-generation RS6 and possibly even a new mid-engine model dubbed the R4, there’s very little room for another RS model, especially in these times of environmental consciousness.

Additionally, over the course of the coming years, Audi will start to release its first trickle of all-electric e-tron sports cars, so you can hardly say there’ll be a serious lack of sporty models wearing the Four-Ring badge.

[Car and Driver]