AUDI RS 4

Powered boots have become common extras on modern cars, but the mechanism on ‘our’ RS 4 had a bit of a sting in the tail for James Baggott.

When powered boot lids first arrived on new cars, I must admit I was a bit of a sceptic –who needed a motor to do something your arm could already do faster, I asked anyone who dared to listen?

Turns out, the answer is almost everyone. Powered boots that shut themselves at the touch of a button are now nearly as common as electric windows.

You’ll find them on everything from Bentleys to Kias these days, and my long-term Audi RS 4 is no different. So, it’s time to eat a slice of humble pie, because I must admit I’ve become somewhat of a fan.

You see, these days whenever I’m getting something out of the boot it requires 13 hands and a helper. Babies come with a lot of equipment, and when you add a weekly shop to the mix, the chances of being able to shut a boot lid by hand without a return trip falls to zero.

Problem is, I’ve got an issue with our Audi’s boot and that’s its tendency to clobber me on the head. Twice now, I’ve been extracting baby paraphernalia from its deepest recesses to be surprised by a warning beep and, before I know it, the boot lid smacking the back of my head.

I couldn’t work out why it was doing it at first, until one day I realised my feet were the culprit. The RS 4 has one of those sensors just under the bumper that closes the boot for you when a foot is waved underneath it. My size 12s clearly protruded too far under the bumper and were inadvertently setting off the mechanism, resulting in the boot-bonce interface. I was rather pleased with the discovery, thinking this would help my boot-emptying efforts, but can I get it to work when I want it to? No chance.

Despite whatever Michael Flatley dance moves I try to perform behind the Audi, I can never find the sensor when I want to. Typical.

Anyway, enough about boot lids. It’s actually a very minor gripe with what I’m discovering is a truly brilliant car. Fast estates fit my lifestyle perfectly, and the RS 4 is one of the best.

In the past, I’ve taken real issue with sloppy Audi automatic gearboxes, usually paired with their diesel engines, but there’s no such problems with the RS 4. Changes here are brisk and without hesitation as it rapidly fires through the ratios. Under the bonnet, the 444bhp 3.0-litre twin turbo engine is a delight. On the road it’s got power whenever I need it and the 4.1-second time for the benchmark 60mph dash is seriously impressive.

I’m a huge fan of the ride quality, too. I’ve mentioned in previous reports about the RS Sport Suspension with Dynamic Ride Control (£2,000) specified on this car, and the more I live with it, the more I can’t recommend it highly enough. Yes, it’s expensive, but on our potholed roads it still manages to deliver a comfortable ride.

Over the Christmas period, I was also very glad to find a first aid kit in the boot. First on the scene of a nasty road accident, where a car had knocked a pedestrian five metres down the road, I used the kit to patch up the poor woman before taking her to hospital myself, as an ambulance was a two-hour wait away. The kit’s dressings, bandages and sterile wipes came in very handy and I was very glad to find it in the boot. On a separate note, I don’t think I’ll ever tire of the compliments the Audi gets. At petrol pumps or from visitors who have spotted it on the drive, it often receives words of praise. People love a fast Audi, especially those with the iconic RS badging, and the RS 4 is certainly iconic. After three months behind the wheel, I’m also starting to understand why people love them so much.

The Knowledge

Audi RS 4

Price (as tested): £85,000

Engine: 3.0-litre twin turbo petrol

Power: 444bhp

Torque: 600Nm

Top speed: 155mph

Fuel economy: 28.5mpg (combined)

0-60mph: 4.1 seconds

Emissions: 225g/km CO2

Mileage: 2,674

This month’s highlight: Managing to work out why the Audi’s powered boot kept clobbering me on the head.

OTHER CARS WE’RE DRIVING

Volkswagen Caddy

Mileage: 5,892

We’re spending some time getting to know the fruits of VW and Ford’s new partnership.