Audi UK launched a competition on their facebook page for an owners RS4 to take part in their display at Goodwood Festival of Speed at the end of June (we had details here )

Yesterday they had the not so easy task of getting their final selected 12 (of which 9 managed to arrive) and judge them in the flesh to the final 3. Of these, they will be put back to the public vote on Audi UK's Facebook page for their visitors to select a winner.

I took a raft of photo's- this is only the second time I have been to Audi UK's head quarters in 15 years- I was hardly going to turn down an official invite, was I?

Within Audi UK's head office is a small dealership, which has meeting rooms (check out the wall paper!), an R8 Coupe and R8 Spyder inside, cabinets full of awards, merchandise, refreshments and relaxing area. There was even a pedal car replica of an old Auto Union- why didn't we have things THAT) good when I was a kid? (Not that my parents would have been able to afford such a thing back then!)

Outside was a small selection of the latest Audi models, including the A6, S3, Q3, Q5 and Q7- and then a selection of 9 Audi RS4 B7's- in saloon and Avant form. The only B5 in attendance was not eligible to take part in the competition (staff), and there were no RS4 cabriolet's in attendance. (More is the pity)

An introduction was made to everyone by Grant O'Hara ("the man off the telly)- and the whole lot was filmed (watch for details on Audi UK's youtube channel at some point in the future)

A brief history was presented on the RS4's origins:

Starting with the RS2 (Audi 80 Avant, Porsche tuned and tweaked) Avant only

182 officially made it to the UK,

2,908 worldwide

2.2 litre, 5 cylinder inline, 20 valve with 315bhp

0-62mph in 5.4 seconds with a top speed of 163mph.

This was followed up with the B5 RS4: (Avant only)

400 Right Hand Drive

6,045 worldwide

2.7 litre V6 30 valve, developed in conjunction with Cosworth Technology, with a 5 valves per cylinder head generating around 380bhp.

0-62mph in 4.9 seconds, and a limited top speed of 155mph (de-restricted is more like 174mph)

Latest Model is the B7 RS4, launched in 2005:

Available in saloon, cabriolet and Avant form

3,393 came to the UK officially. (No longer a "limited run model)

4.2 litre V8 engine, producing around 420bhp and 4 valve per cylinder but used in conjunction with Race Developed FSI system and is also naturally aspirated (no mechanical viagra in this one!)

0-62mph in 4.8 seconds, and a limited top speed of 155mph.

The next RS4?

The press release confirming UK specification and prices is expected tomorrow; details from Germany already confirm a 4.2 litre V8 utilising FSI and generating around 450bhp. This is also "going back to it's roots" and is only going to be available in Avant form. Want a different shape? Try an RS5, for example...

The new version will come complete with new "wave profile" disk brakes, 7 speed S Tronic gearbox with a dual clutch transmission system. 0-62mph will arrive in 4.7seconds.

So; onto the event.

Respective owners had travelled from various parts of the country to take part, and many cars had been "individualised" to the owners taste; subtle differences like changed rear lights- as well as the various specification differences upon ordering, such as gloss grille trim or matt brushed aluminium- similar story with the door surround trim, exhausts, alloy wheels,- some even had things such as "tweaks" by the likes of MTM, and at least one is known to have visited the famous 'ring in Germany.

I didn't envy the judges task of trying to decide which three cars were to go forward to the final round- all were a tribute to their owners- past and present. (For the record: we were NOT involved with the judging)

Some familiar faces were at the event- namely Roadkill (on this site) representing another organisation- it was good to have a catch up and chin wag.

I must say a huge thanks to Audi UK for their hospitality (and the invite)- in particular their teams responsible for Audi UK's presence on twitter and Facebook. There were no losers at this event, though-  everyone that participated left with a "goody bag" as a way of "thanks" from Audi UK comprising of various items from the Audi Collection- and all were received with thanks.

The final 3 will be announced on Audi UK's Facebook page tomorrow- and voting will then proceed- the eventual winner will be announced on the 20th June.

For all the photo's (the good,  the bad & the ugly- I'm no photographer!)- see our Facebook page- the album is located here