First registered – 01/03/2018

It seems Nardo Grey is a bit of a marmite colour. Personally I love it, others think it’s totally bland or that it’s primer. Each to their own.

The RS4 looks as though a heavy weight has been placed on its roof. Squashed and slightly splayed out compared to a normal A4 estate, it offers a ton of road presence. The need for a front number plate here in the UK makes that huge gaping front grille seem a tad smaller which is a shame, but the flared arches front and rear give a hunkered down look.

Huge rear ovals are the mainstay of RS Audi’s and are naturally present once again, along with a set of optional 20” 5 spoke alloys, A Double Panoramic tilt and slide Sunroof, Sports exhaust, Comfort and sports package, electric seats with driver memory, massage seats, extended LED Light package, total de-chrome finishes off this rapid estate nicely.

Now the important bit. How does it drive?

In a word? Incredible.

Never have I been in a fast estate that feels so much smaller than it is.

Powered by a 2.9 litre bi-turbo V6 the RS4 pumps out 444 BHP and a gargantuan 600 Nm of torque, making it good for a 0-62 time of 4.1 seconds. And the best bit about it is that all that power is truly useable.

One thing that makes performance cars are big seats. As standard the RS4 comes with the huge RS Sports seats. Finished in black leather with red stitching they looked stunning against the grey exterior. This has the optional massage seats.

One of the biggest draws to the RS4 is the practicality of it, that’s backed up by the 505 litre boot space.

If there was ever the perfect all-rounder, the one car for every day, all eventualities, no matter the weather. The RS4 ticks the box.

From lugging kids, bikes, suitcases or flat pack from Ikea, it can do it. In the next instant it can take on any supercar you throw at it, because around the tight and twisties this thing will leave most for dust.

The current RS4 is a truly special machine.