The Audi RS4 was originally the brands answer to the BMW M3 and Mercedes C63 AMG a planted, practical option thanks in large to Audi’s Quattro four-wheel drive technology. Beginning in limited numbers the RS4 appeared in 1999-2001 and again in 2006-2008, but it made a significant comeback in 2012 as the RS4 Avant, in estate-form only.

Powered by a magnificent 4.2-litre, naturally aspirated V8, and assisted by a dual-clutch automatic gearbox, the B8 generation RS4 put out 444 horsepower in the days of truly analogue-feeling driving. One rarer but now highly desirable option was the carbon ceramic brakes – rarer still is 2014’s Nogaro Limited Edition, a nod to the RS2 estate (developed in partnership with Porsche, no less) on its 20th anniversary.

The next-generation B9 Audi RS4 Avant came along in 2018, and immediately received rave reviews from the press. A 2.9-litre V6 motor is now paired with an 8-speed Tiptronic gearbox, with its 0-62mph time shaved to a remarkable 3.9 seconds and the magic of turbocharging for a completely different experience to the original, but no less fun. This is no ‘baby RS6’ – the performance of the latest Audi RS4 puts it in the same territory as a Ferrari F430, only now your dog can come along too!