Massively quick cross-country, but has a firm ride and that lovely V8 engine needs hitting very hard to make it work

• Comfort

  Essentially, the RS4 feels quite firm when pottering - even in Comfort mode - but the 'box slips between ratios without a murmur, the engine mumbles away happily and you could be forgiven for thinking you're in a more humble S line variant.

  

• Performance

  Up front is a naturally aspirated, FSI direct-injected 4.2-litre petrol V8 that produces 444bhp at 8,250rpm, a red line at 8,500rpm, and with maximum torque of 317lb ft available from 4,000 to 6,000rpm. Basically, the same engine as the RS5, plus a few tweaks, it drives through the only transmission option: Audi's 7spd S tronic dual-clutch 'box. Which is interesting. An estate car with a super-high-revving V8 and slick-quick DSG? Sounds like a TG kind of car.

  

• Cool

  Audi does estate car cool like no other.

  

• Quality

  As close to Audi perfection as it gets.

  

• Handling

  It's not until you really get going that the RS4 starts to make an impression. Grip is phenomenal - especially in long, loaded-up corners - with the kind of burly, slightly understeer-prone attitude that gives lots of confidence in the wet. Poke in a bit more throttle smoothly, and you can even make the whole thing oversteer (there's a self-locking crown-gear centre diff that helps with the feeling), though it's not rear-wheel drive and never really feels like it.

  

• Practicality

  You'll get 490-litres with the seats up and 1430 with the back folded down, so there's plenty to play with as long as you're not into HGV-style loads.

  

• Running costs

  Supercar-style insurance and a claimed 26.4mpg - less if you drive it hard. A lot less. If you can swing one on a company car scheme, we'd like to work there too.