ABT’s new 523bhp RS4 Avant is mean as hell

Towards the end of last year, with relatively little fanfare, Audi subtly facelifted the RS4 Avant to bring its styling in line with the bigger, badder new RS6 Avant.

That meant prolific tuner ABT had to head back to its carbon-fibre clad drawing board to come up with new aero bits and (although we can’t see them in the images above) interior gubbins.

What do you reckon to its finished product? Looks pretty menacing in black right? Most of the changes are round the back, with a CFRP spoiler and a quad-exit stainless steel exhaust system. Plus there’s height adjustable suspension and a trio of dark wheel options in either 20- or 21-inch flavours. Nice.

Despite the new looks, Audi decided to keep the RS4’s oily bits the same. To recap – that means a twin-turbo V6 producing 444bhp and 442lb ft of torque, with power sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. 

That allowed ABT to transfer over its ‘standard’ 503bhp ABT Power tune straight away. Now though, there’s a new ABT Power S configuration that makes 523bhp and 502lb ft of torque. Lovely. 

To get to that figure – the same as ABT’s old limited edition RS4R and RS4+ models – all the V6 required was a new engine control unit, an additional water cooler kit and an air intake cover.

What do you think, Internet?