Audi RS 4 facelift follows the RS 6’s lead

Not everybody can, or in fact wishes to have a wagon as large as the 2020 Audi RS 6. And for those who believe a great twin-turbo V-6 is plenty enough for a sporty family hauler, Audi’s answer for a while has been the RS 4. (Outside of America, unfortunately.) The current, fifth generation of the smaller fast Audi wagon was introduced in September 2017, and now, upgrades including the latest MMI touch operating system will bring it to the 2020s. As well as “even stronger visual differentiation.”

In English, “even stronger visual differentiation” means that the RS 4 now gets the same exterior design tweaks as the R8, the RS 6, the RS 7 Sportback and the pair of RS Q3s. That means a non-functional slot under the hood that allows for a lower and wider honeycomb grille, which is then integrated into the bumper without having a frame. And if you opt for the LED headlights, the bezels in them will also be darkened. No A4 has that, but of course your wheel arches are 1.2 in wider to begin with. That’s a que for the 444-horsepower 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6 between them.

Audi has also upgraded the five-seater cabin, with the most significant change being the new operating system. It can be controlled via the 10.1-inch MMI touch display located in the center of the instrument panel, which is tilted slightly toward the driver.

Further fresh gadgetry includes the RS1 and RS2 mode selectors on the flat-bottomed steering wheel, which can unleash all the turbo quattro force instantly while disengaging the driver aids.

Zero to 62 mph in 4.1 seconds, an optional top speed of 174 mph, and 52.8 cu ft of cargo space with the rear seats folded down. That’s the 2020 Audi RS 4, a car America will have to do without. Can’t have ‘em all!