Unique and cool: The Audi RS 4 Avant

To put it quite simply, the Audi RS 4 Avant is a manic creature on the road. It probably has to do with the fact that it uses the same high-revving, normally aspirated V8 engine that powers the RS 5 Coupe - pushing out 450 horses and 430Nm of torque to all four wheels that will send the stationwagon to the 100km/h mark in just 4.7 seconds.

While these figures are largely academic, listening to the car's invigorating roar isn't.

The RS 4 Avant starts up with a rather maniacal attitude, though not as maniacal as how race car driver, Alex Yoong, (our co-pilot) drives. While the short stint with the car was barely enough to better understand it, it was certainly enough to know the car's capabilities on the tarmac.

It's explosive fast on the straights. Every step of your right foot translates to immediate power and torque and before you can say Jack Robinson, you're already way past the speed limit - thanks to the super fast shifts from the dual-clutch transmission gearbox. While being fast in most stationwagons doesn't necessarily equate to being good, it certainly is in the RS 4 Avant's case.

Round tighter curves, as we've experienced with the car, is one of the main highlights. Credits going to the standard quattro permanent all-wheel drive system and the crown-gear centre differential, the distribution of power between the front and rear axles varies accordingly, smoothly and over a wide range, with up to 70 percent flowing to the front or as much as 85 percent to the rear.

As a result, the RS 4 Avant grips the tarmac with astounding confidence, even as it takes corners at insane speeds, accompanied by the sonorous soundtrack and blow-offs from the exhaust as it downshifts in 'Dynamic' mode. The fact that the car has a wider body and a lower ride height of 24mm and 20mm respectively compared to the A4 Avant helps in its aerodynamics too.

The exterior design flaunts the athletic character of the RS 4 Avant. The hexagonal single-frame grille is set in a frame with a matte aluminium-look finish while its honeycomb insert is finished in high-gloss anthracite.

LED daytime running lights encircle the xenon plus units like a clasp in the wedge-shaped headlights. The air flows through large openings divided by crossbars and embedded in a distinctive bumper featuring a splitter edge like on a race car.

The distinctive bumpers and the two oval tailpipe caps of the dual exhaust system dominate the rear end and are integrated into an upturned diffuser while elegant light strips adorn the LED rear lights. Audi also offers a sport exhaust system with a voluminous sound and black caps.

More impressively, space is of abundance in the RS 4 Avant. Having a stationwagon body style gives you an ample 1,430 litres of luggage compartment with the rear benches folded. Head and legroom seem to be more than adequate, too.

For the fact that the Audi RS 4 Avant combines scintillating performance and practicality so effectively makes this car a very unique and cool package. Perhaps getting around in style with a family of five is really possible.

The Audi RS 4 Avant will be available from April 2013, with prices starting from S$476,450 including COE.