The Audi RS4 Avant exists in a rare sphere of fast compact executive estates that comprises only it and the Mercedes-AMG C63 wagon.

Now in its fourth generation, the RS4 also leaves the C63 as the only V8-powered car in this class. Like the RS5 of last year, the new RS4’s engine has been downsized to a 331kW 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6, having disposed of the previous generation car’s charismatic, naturally-aspirated V8.

It drives through an eight-speed torque-converter automatic, to all four wheels, in a body given a bit more chunkiness and cooling and 30mm-wider arches.

There are other suspension options, too: hydraulically-linked dampers reduce roll and pitch, dynamic steering and carbon-ceramic brakes. Other options include an expensive Carbon Pack. Wheels are 19s; or 20s with 275/30 R20 tyres. This generation of the RS4 is (up to) 80kg lighter than the old one, but is still a 1715kg car.

Like all Audi RS models, it’s fast, of course. As well as 331kW at 5700- 6700rpm, there’s 600Nm, which arrives at 1900rpm and hangs around until 5000rpm, so the RS4 has the kind of table-top power and torque graph that negates the need for the ultra-quick upshifts of a dual-clutch gearbox. As we found in the RS5, a torque-converter suits the nature of a car like this, smooth to pull away and smooth on both up and downshifts.

You can swap the drive modes between Comfort, Dynamic, Auto or Individual, in which you can set your own modes for the suspension stiffness, steering weight, and engine and transmission response. The RS4 has seriously high limits and its various driveline shenanigans make it feel far more agile than you’d credit.

Although the entertainment is that you’re largely astonished at what it can do, rather than being involved in the process. But it’s very effective. A C63 would be a slower and, I think, a less agile experience, but I’m confident a more enjoyable, and more analogue, one.

Slink the suspension into Comfort and the RS4 will do all this with more natural-feeling body roll, and a better ability to shrug off bumps in a straight line. There’s some odd diagonal pitch while it’s cornering like that, but it makes the straight bits preferable, because big road lumps can give your back a workout otherwise.

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Maybe it’s easier to warm to an RS4 than it is, say, an RS5, even though the two cars do ostensibly the same dynamic things. That’s because those dynamic things seem more suited to an estate car than a coupe; which is either kind to the RS4 and mean to the RS5 or fair either way. I think it’s fair.

If the speed at which your luggage travels from one end of a mildly twisting road to another is important to you, fill your figurative, and literal, boots.

Like: Devastatingly fast; compliant ride; wagon practicality Dislike: Soundtrack of old is gone; needs to be in right mode Star Rating: 4 out of 5 stars