Audi RS4 Avant to cost £54,925 12 | 06 | 2012

AUDI'S LIGHTNING FAST load-lugger, the RS4 Avant, will cost from £54,925 when it enters Scottish showrooms in the autumn (see more official photos of the all-new Audi RS4 Avant).

And if you're considering transporting your two beloved Labradors in the load area, I recommend to fit them with three-point race harnesses.

Powered by Audi's mighty 444bhp 4.2-litre V8 engine — the same unit used in the RS5 — it will sprint from standstill to 62mph in 4.7sec. It's also electronically limited to 155mph.

Mated to a seven-speed S tronic gearbox, Audi claims an average fuel figure of 26.4mpg.

As you would expect of Audi's flagship A4, it comes loaded with goodies as standard. DVD-based sat-nav, 19in 10-spoke alloys, Bluetooth, carbonfibre touches, and leather and Alcantara sports seats are all standard.

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It you're more of a techie, splash out another 1420 quid and you can have the Technology Package Advanced kit, which adds HDD navigation, adaptive cruise control and a reversing camera.

Not surprisingly, there's also an optional Sport Package. For an extra £2250 you get larger 20in titanium-look alloys, a sports exhaust system and Audi's dynamic ride control.

Just for good measure (though I doubt it will work with the Labradors) there's are a number of options — including a rail system with load securing set and a power-operated tailgate — for the luggage area, which can hold up to 1430 litres of detritus.

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Jim McGill