In broad strokes, reverse psychology is a technique involving the advocacy of one thing when the opposite is desired. One can only assume that Audi is trying its hand at this psychological parlor trick by denying Americans the right to acquire its RS4 Avant. Well, guess what…it worked. The Gentleman Motorist wants one. Now shut up and take my money.
Why? Because, ideally, cars should be both exhilarating and practical. Put another way, one should not have to compromise. And the RS4 obliges with more than 400 bhp[1], Quattro all-wheel drive handling, and plenty of room to let you gig or baby with ease.[2] Right now, some of you are thinking that Porsche, BMW, and even Mercedes-Benz make SUVs with space and ample power. They do, but they are not the same as sport wagons. Their high centers of gravity cannot compete in the handling department. And while Americans have their pick of the litter of straight-line speeding SUVs, we are bereft of options when it comes to power wagons. Dodge no longer makes the Magnum SRT-8.[3] The Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG wagon is too big and too expensive.[4] And the Volvo Polestar V60 is a bit twee. Which leaves Americans with the Cadillac CTS-V wagon, a terrific tire-shredding titan to be sure. But in the quest to get amped up, the CTS-V drinks like a Red Bull when, perhaps, one would prefer a cappuccino.[5]
So what will it take, Audi, for you to bring this Bavarian beauty across the Atlantic? Do we need to travel to Ingolstadt decked out in our finest lederhosen playing Peter Gabriel[6] through a Sennheiser portable speaker to plead our case? We’d say anything[7] to convince you that we want this car here in the U.S. And we are. There is a Facebook page with thousands of fans dedicated to the RS4 Avant. There is also another Facebook page petitioning Audi to bring the RS4 Avant to the U.S. Thus, the Gentleman Motorist encourages you to make your voice heard. Because if automotive enthusiasts want wagons, shouldn’t there be some wagons worthy of our enthusiasm?
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[1] There is a question as to whether an American RS4 Avant would have a V8 or a blown 6. Regardless, if the RS4 Avant can trump the S4 and play with the BMW M3/M4, it will need to exceed 400 bhp.
[2] One assumes that those of us who still actively “gig” cannot afford the RS4 Avant. And, admittedly, we are more likely to need a car that can accommodate a stroller than a Marshall stack.
[3] Surely, the Gentleman Motorist is not the only one hoping for a Dodge Magnum Hellcat. Right?
[4] The E63 AMG wagon starts at over $100,000. And since the RS6 Avant fits nicely in that bracket, here’s hoping that the RS4 Avant comes in under $80,000.
[5] Think of it this way. If the CTS-V were your date to a dinner at the French embassy, you would run the risk of it telling the French Ambassador that the cassoulet was the “best beanee weenees I’ve ever had.” You’d be horrified and the CTS-V would give absolutely zero fucks. Which is actually kind of awesome.
[6] Or David Hasselhoff if you prefer.
[7] One assumes that the “Say Anything” reference is lost on our German readers as the movie was apparently released in Germany under the title, “Teen Lover.” But I would be happier than the valet in “Ferris Macht Blau” if I could get my hands on an RS4 Avant.
Photo(s) from Car & Driver.
So what will it take, Audi, for you to bring this Bavarian beauty across the Atlantic? Do we need to travel to Ingolstadt decked out in our finest lederhosen playing Peter Gabriel[6] through a Sennheiser portable speaker to plead our case? We’d say anything[7] to convince you that we want this car here in the U.S. And we are. There is a Facebook page with thousands of fans dedicated to the RS4 Avant. There is also another Facebook page petitioning Audi to bring the RS4 Avant to the U.S. Thus, the Gentleman Motorist encourages you to make your voice heard. Because if automotive enthusiasts want wagons, shouldn’t there be some wagons worthy of our enthusiasm?
_______________________________________________
[1] There is a question as to whether an American RS4 Avant would have a V8 or a blown 6. Regardless, if the RS4 Avant can trump the S4 and play with the BMW M3/M4, it will need to exceed 400 bhp.
[2] One assumes that those of us who still actively “gig” cannot afford the RS4 Avant. And, admittedly, we are more likely to need a car that can accommodate a stroller than a Marshall stack.
[3] Surely, the Gentleman Motorist is not the only one hoping for a Dodge Magnum Hellcat. Right?
[4] The E63 AMG wagon starts at over $100,000. And since the RS6 Avant fits nicely in that bracket, here’s hoping that the RS4 Avant comes in under $80,000.
[5] Think of it this way. If the CTS-V were your date to a dinner at the French embassy, you would run the risk of it telling the French Ambassador that the cassoulet was the “best beanee weenees I’ve ever had.” You’d be horrified and the CTS-V would give absolutely zero fucks. Which is actually kind of awesome.
[6] Or David Hasselhoff if you prefer.
[7] One assumes that the “Say Anything” reference is lost on our German readers as the movie was apparently released in Germany under the title, “Teen Lover.” But I would be happier than the valet in “Ferris Macht Blau” if I could get my hands on an RS4 Avant.
Photo(s) from Car & Driver.
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