The Audi RS4 Avant has become an icon in its own right since it launched with the B5 back in late 1999. It has always been the go-to car for celebrities who want the perfect companion for a winter skiing trip. I know Jay Kay from Jamiroquai, a keen petrol head and car collector, has been a long-term fan of the RS4. It has ample usable space due to its estate configuration, all-wheel drive via Quattro and enough power to make it so versatile.

We have to remember that the original RS4 Avant was the successor to the Porsche/Quattro GmbH joint venture developed Audi RS2 Avant, a car which I know is becoming a serious collector item.

The RS badge is their unique selling point

Audi have realised the RS badge is their unique selling point and since the inception of Audi Sport, the focus has firmly been on building great RS models. This was highlighted at the press conference, when the Head of Press and PR in the UK for Audi announced the waiting list for their new Audi TTRS was a year. It’s just production cannot keep up with demand.

Back to the RS4, this is the brand new fourth generation 2018 version called the B9. It drives like an Audi – smooth, responsive – a reliable sword for the daily commute, yet perfect for a fun weekend drive. Powered by a V6 engine, with bi-turbo exhaust turbocharger, it puts out 450ps and 600nm of torque. 0-62mph arrives in 4.1 seconds. The twin oval exhausts, to cope with this output, are huge, yet beautifully understated.

The third generation (B8) Audi RS4 (which the 2018 version replaces) was powered by a 4.2 litre naturally-aspirated V8 engine, so some people may be sad that this B9 version is a V6 bi-turbo. However, we have to remind ourselves that the original B5 RS4 was a 2.7-litre V6 bi-turbo, so Audi have just returned the model to its grass roots. Having said that, this new RS4 has an eight speed tiptronic box, whereas the original had a six speed manual.

When I was a child, an estate car was always the family transport and a nostalgia factor is definitely there. For the family on a budget, a 32.1 mpg fuel bill will also not break the bank. Oh and by the way, if you wondered, “Avant” is Audi’s name for an estate car. The RS4 is pretty light and nimble for its size at 1715kg without a driver.

Servicing inspections arrive at 19,000 miles or two years, and there’s a three year or 60,000 mile vehicle warranty, three years on paint and twelve years rust perforation guarantee – the latter is generous as often it’s only ten years.

For the family man who wants a comfortable all-rounder

To sum up, the RS4 Avant is for the family man who still wants a comfortable all-rounder; something that drives like a powerful saloon car, is safe on all road conditions and with practical space for those little adventures. It’s predicted by CAP Gold Book to have the best residual value and lowest running costs in its class; plus Audis age so well, they still look sophisticated 10 years down the line, which cannot be said for some modern cars. The Audi RS4 begins at £62,175 OTR.