There is a rather innocuous button on the dash of Audi’s RS 4 sedan, labeled only with a stylized ‘S’. Yet it serves as a perfect summation of the dual nature of Ingolstadt’s latest bahnburner. Push it and not only does the throttle response speed up slightly, but much more obviously, a bypass valve opens in the exhaust. The hard V8 throb of the 420hp goes from merely mellow and throaty to unbelievably vocal. A perfect bass backbeat underlies a ripsnarl when you get on it; back off and it pops and crackles like a musclecar of yore blastin’ through glasspacks.

The numbers that accompany this aural art are compelling in themselves: sixty in the mid-fours, thirteens in the quarter, and a governed (but quickly hit) top of 155. What’s really enticing is how easy this level of performance is to access. Aside from the fact that you have to row your own, as the RS 4 only comes with a six-speed manual (and a wonderfully precise one at that), this is a thoroughly refined and friendly beast, offering all-wheel drive, rich appointments, and plumb-perfect built quality.

The ride is nicely judged and comfortable over all but the most broken bitumen, despite the 19” rubber-band tires. This is the result of a bespoke, Yamaha-developed chassis design wherein fluid runs between diagonally opposed corners of the car. Typical lumps and bumps are absorbed without upsetting the occupants overmuch, yet when it is loaded into a corner, or the massively endowed brakes are used in earnest the body motions remain flat and composed. Despite the fact that the RS 4—like all cars with its drivetrain layout—is incredibly nose-heavy, its rear-biased torque split and careful honing result in the best dynamics and steering of any Audi since the original Quattro coupe of the late eighties.

Like the chassis, the engine implementation is a bit of a departure for the company, exchanging turbocharged torque for high crank speeds—over 8250rpm is available—and terrific throttle response. And, of course, that noise. And because of that special ‘S’ button, which ended up being dubbed “SuperSounds of the Naughties,” you can always quiet the thunder to keep the neighbors quiescent.

If some of the engineering is unexpected, the look is pure Audi hotrod, from the brushed aluminum trim, fat pipes, and extreme slats and spoilers through to the luscious bubble-flared fenders, which barely contain the huge, split-spoke rims that are open enough to show off the supersized stopping hardware. Inside as well its another class-act, where some of the sexiest carbon fiber extant complements Recaro seats that seem able to accommodate all body types without complaint. The only letdowns are a fiddly nav system and interface (that seems designed for users in right-hand drive countries), and the steering wheel. Unlike the flat-bottomed Euro-spec tiller, over here we get something that any ol’ A4 driver could get for half the price.

Audi has been accused of trying to build an M3 clone here, and while some will lament the loss of midrange torque inherent in the company’s choice to eschew turbocharging, the overall RS 4 package is so endearing and evocative that it has to rank for now as the most fascinating and ferocious fourdoor in its price range.

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