Audi’s RS 4 nameplate began as a high-performance evolution of the A4 line and quickly became one of the defining models of Audi Sport’s early history. The first RS 4 arrived for the 2000 model year as the B5-generation RS 4 Avant, developed by quattro GmbH and sold as a wagon-only flagship. It was positioned as the spiritual successor to the RS 2 Avant and established the RS formula for Audi: everyday usability combined with serious performance and discreet but purposeful bodywork. That original RS 4 was built in limited numbers and became a cult favorite among enthusiasts.
The RS 4 returned in a very different form for the 2005 model year with the B7-generation car. This second era expanded the nameplate beyond the wagon for the first time, with sedan, Avant, and later cabriolet body styles. It also marked an important technical shift for the series, using a naturally aspirated V8 and further sharpening the RS identity. After that generation ended, the RS 4 disappeared again for several years.
Audi revived the RS 4 as an Avant for the 2012 model year with the B8 generation, restoring the wagon-only format and reinforcing the model’s role as a fast, practical estate car. The nameplate then entered its current fourth era with the B9-generation RS 4 Avant, which debuted for the 2018 model year and continued Audi’s long-running focus on the high-performance Avant concept. Audi’s own history materials describe the RS 4 as a landmark for Audi Sport and a model that helped establish the RS range. Because the nameplate has appeared in multiple distinct production periods, the RS 4 is best understood as a recurring performance series rather than one continuous run.