228-mile old Audi RS4 (B7) for sale

Has there been a better year for the performance car than 2007? It certainly ranks among the best of the 21st century, with some of the decade’s biggest hitters all arriving within a 12-month window. Think supercar pinups like the Ferrari 430 Scuderia and 997-gen Porsche 911 GT3 RS, hot hatch heroes like the Renault Megane R26 and Audi’s first stab at making a proper sports car with the R8. The Japanese performance saloon war would also enter its final chapter, with Mitsubishi launching its 10th and final Evolution to do battle with (and beat comprehensively) Subaru’s Impreza WRX STI hatch.

While one rivalry entered its twilight phase, another began to blossom. BMW shook up the M3 formula once again by ditching the straight-six that paired so well with the E36 and E46, and shoehorned in a high-revving naturally aspired V8 for the then-new E90 and E92, with Mercedes bringing its own V8 super saloon and coupe to the fight later that year with the C63 AMG. Audi, meanwhile, had got the jump on both of them, releasing the B7 RS4 like the one we have here midway through 2006 to prepare itself for the impending battle.

Like BMW, Audi switched from six-cylinder power (albeit arranged in a V and with a pair of turbos) for a 4.2-litre naturally aspirated V8. It’s a legendary engine in Audi circles, given that it’s largely the same unit as the one that powered the original R8, and a similar V8 had been used for the B6 S4 four years prior, that one only had 344hp. The RS4, meanwhile, was pushing out 420hp and roared all the way up to an 8,000rpm redline. A six-speed manual was your only option, and if you timed your gear changes just right, Audi claimed you’d hit 62mph from a standstill in a 4.8 seconds – which is exactly what BMW said was possible with its manual M3.

Rapid as the RS4 was, the B7’s true party piece came to light in the corners. Whereas previous hot Audis were brilliant in a straight line but a tad numb and understeer prone in the bends, the B7 was said to be vastly more tactile and playful. By default, the RS4’s diff sends 60% of the car’s torque to the rear axle, though even more can be sent that way if the conditions call for it. The B7 also came with adaptive dampers as standard, which are notoriously expensive to maintain and, therefore, often get exchanged for a passive setup on high-mileage cars.

This stunning Navarra Blue example, however, is at the opposite end of the mileage spectrum. Just 228 miles have been covered since it rolled off the forecourt (or winched onto the back of a trailer) in 2007, and is therefore as close to a brand-new B7 RS4 as you’re ever likely to find. Quite how anyone could resist the urge to take it for a good thrashing once and a while is anyone’s guess, with the only ground covered in recent years appearing to be a trip to and from the MOT centre, but how often do you get the opportunity to drive a ‘new’ car 15 years after it was discontinued?

Given its immaculate condition, this RS4 was always going to carry a premium. And boy, what a premium it is. Ready? It’s £69,990. Not six figures, but it’s four times the value of the cheapest B7 currently available on PH. This 50k mile car is perhaps a better comparison, and comes in the more desirable Avant body style for £21,995. You’d better be quick if you fancy the we have here, mind, because this might be your only opportunity to pick up a near-brand new example of an Audi great. It’ll just cost you a few limbs in the process.