Audi's superwagon coming

The weak dollar hasn't stopped 19 New Zealanders putting their names down for Audi's lickety-split RS4 quattro Avant, the world's fastest stationwagon.

Audi importer European Motor Distributors has been allocated 25 cars, each costing $159,900. The remaining six cars are expected to be sold by the time the shipment arrives in November.

The RS4 is powered by a twin-turbocharged, 30-valve, 2.7-litre V6 which produces 280kW and 440Nm of pulling power between 2500 and 6000 rpm. It hustles the sports wagon from zero to 100 km/h in a supercar time of 4.9 seconds and on to a top speed of more than 250 km/h.

Performance specialist Cosworth Technology helped Audi to develop the engine by using a special casting technique for the cylinder heads, and fitting larger turbochargers and a more efficient exhaust system.

Suspension, handling and brakes were upgraded to match performance. Audi added an electronic stability programme to help keep the car and its all-wheel-drive quattro system on the straight and narrow.

Styling changes to the body give the RS4 a broader, squatter appearance, accentuated by three prominent air-intake ducts in the front.

The only body panels common to the S4 Avant, the car on which the RS4 is based, are the roof and bonnet.

The interior features special Recaro seats and a combination of aluminium and matt black anodised material. Front, side and head airbags are standard, and the car gets a BOSE sound system.