Greedspeed's engine development places the A4 well into the 200-bhp range. Moreover, the car sounds quietly angry, especially under load, when it emits a deep growl. Around 2200 rpm the power comes on very hard, and from there the car pulls strongly to near redline. Rowing through the abbreviated throws of the Neuspeed short-shifter was like a shifting a Formula Ford-very tight and precise. For comparison purposes, I brought our own A4 up the hill (3.0 V6 and CVT gearbox)-it was promptly left in the dust, not so much by sheer power but more by the Greedspeed Audi's tenacious road-holding. It cuts through corners with exceptional grace and poise. If we ever do see an RS A4, chances are it will behave like this car.
Although the new A4 is only a few pounds heavier than the previous generation, it feels more solid, grounded, heavy. The steering is also a tad light, almost as if it's going through an extra filter or two. While the Greedspeed car corners exceptionally well, it feels better on long, high-speed sweepers, like the ones between Munich and Regensburg. Give this car another 100 ponies, and I could forget the old A4...maybe.