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2008 Audi RS 4 Safety Review

November 5, 2008

SAFETY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Four stars, frontal impact rating; five stars, driver side impact; four stars, passenger side impact; four stars, rollover rating
NHTSA

The RS4 Cab features a generous assortment of safety equipment
MyRide.com

Standard safety features include antilock brakes with a brake drying feature
Cars.com

Safety features are certainly not contested when it comes to the 2008 Audi RS4 lineup. De-spite offering the capabilities of a sportscar, the 2008 Audi RS4 contains a number of safety features to offer peace of mind for drivers.

The Audi RS4 has not yet been crash-tested by the IIHS, but the NHTSA has released some official crash-test ratings for the Audi RS4. Among the highlights of those ratings are a perfect five stars in the NHTSA’s driver side-impact test, along with four-star ratings for frontal impact and passenger side impact tests. One of the important safety categories for those looking at the 2008 Audi RS4 Cabriolet is the rollover rating, where the Audi RS4 earns four of a possible five stars from the NHTSA.

Safety ratings may be easy for a manufacturer’s PR department to tout, but perhaps more important are the safety features included on a car. In terms of standard safety features, the Audi 2008 RS4 doesn’t disappoint. MyRide.com says the 2008 Audi “RS4 Cab features a generous assortment of safety equipment, such as front-side airbags, a tire pressure monitor, and antilock disc brakes.” In addition to those basics, Edmunds states that “full-length head curtain airbags are” standard on the 2008 Audi RS4 sedan, and Cars.com reports that both models feature “an electronic stability system that’s designed to be less intrusive.” One of the more interesting safety features, according to Automobile, is that “in the wet, the [brake] discs are intermittently swept dry to improve response and stopping power.” For those who want added crash protection and don’t plan to mount multiple child seats, Cars.com notes “rear-seat side-impact airbags are a $350 option.”

Visibility is another area where the 2008 Audi RS4 lineup excels, especially with the top down in the Cabriolet. The sedan and top-up Cabriolet configurations also offer good overall visibility, and ConsumerGuide notes that the 2008 Audi RS4 comes standard with a “rear-obstacle-detection system” in case you lose sight of what’s behind you.

Conclusion

The results are in, and the 2008 Audi RS4 is safe enough to handle most any sticky situation in which you may find yourself.

SAFETY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Four stars, frontal impact rating; five stars, driver side impact; four stars, passenger side impact; four stars, rollover ratingNHTSAThe RS4 Cab features a generous assortment of safety equipmentMyRide.comStandard safety features include antilock brakes with a brake drying featureCars.com Safety features are certainly not contested when it comes to the 2008 Audi RS4 lineup. De-spite offering the capabilities of a sportscar, the 2008 Audi RS4 contains a number of safety features to offer peace of mind for drivers. The Audi RS4 has not yet been crash-tested by the IIHS, but the NHTSA has released some official crash-test ratings for the Audi RS4. Among the highlights of those ratings are a perfect five stars in the NHTSA’s driver side-impact test, along with four-star ratings for frontal impact and passenger side impact tests. One of the important safety categories for those looking at the 2008 Audi RS4 Cabriolet is the rollover rating, where the Audi RS4 earns four of a possible five stars from the NHTSA. Safety ratings may be easy for a manufacturer’s PR department to tout, but perhaps more important are the safety features included on a car. In terms of standard safety features, the Audi 2008 RS4 doesn’t disappoint. MyRide.com says the 2008 Audi “RS4 Cab features a generous assortment of safety equipment, such as front-side airbags, a tire pressure monitor, and antilock disc brakes.” In addition to those basics, Edmunds states that “full-length head curtain airbags are” standard on the 2008 Audi RS4 sedan, and Cars.com reports that both models feature “an electronic stability system that’s designed to be less intrusive.” One of the more interesting safety features, according to Automobile, is that “in the wet, the [brake] discs are intermittently swept dry to improve response and stopping power.” For those who want added crash protection and don’t plan to mount multiple child seats, Cars.com notes “rear-seat side-impact airbags are a $350 option.” Visibility is another area where the 2008 Audi RS4 lineup excels, especially with the top down in the Cabriolet. The sedan and top-up Cabriolet configurations also offer good overall visibility, and ConsumerGuide notes that the 2008 Audi RS4 comes standard with a “rear-obstacle-detection system” in case you lose sight of what’s behind you. ConclusionThe results are in, and the 2008 Audi RS4 is safe enough to handle most any sticky situation in which you may find yourself. 2008 AUDI RS4 STYLING | [7 out of 10] Mother Proof: “Strong lines, confident stance and just the right amount of sparkle” Edmunds: "Stealthy appearance" ForbesAutos: “Visual subtlety is intentional, with upscale body touches that say ‘high-class sport sedan’” For those looking for a ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2008 Audi RS4 competes in two arenas; against sedans, it's a head-to-head foe of the BMW M3, though priced much higher, and the new Lexus IS-F, also much cheaper. The RS4 has the all-wheel-drive advantage, however. Among convertibles, the Mercedes-Benz SL550 isn't quite as quick and it's only a two-seater, but it comes with a folding hardtop standard. Jaguar's lovely XKR has scalding-hot power and a feline grace about it, as well as a fantastic six-speed automatic with paddle shifters and two very small, very unusable rear seats. The V-10-powered BMW M6 convertible is even costlier and heftier, and it has a confusing array of interior controls.

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See the Audi RS 4 in Other Years:

2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

Comments (1 total)

  1. By David #1, Posted: 10/30/2009

    Dear Editor. As RS4 owner I can attest to the fact that my bone stock RS4 will go from 0 to 60 mph in easily 4.3 to 4.7 seconds depending on altitude and ambient air temperature. 5.5 is not even the manufacturer listed time, which would be 4.7 and those are always conservative.
    Also having a RWD driver car "compete" with a continuous asymmetrical all wheel drive does not make sense at all.

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