Beemers have always had the edge over Audi's quattros. Until now...

Audi's A4 series has been coming a close second to BMW's M3 for years--but catch a glimpse of the new RS4 and it seems the rivalry is hotting up.

Fat wheel arches are stretched tightly over 19-inch alloy wheels and a severe chin spoiler and side skirts give it the look of a bodybuilder about to burst.

If it was all about aggressive looks, BMW had better watch out.

There's far more to the RS4 than that, though. Its monster 4.2-litre V8 pushes out more than 400bhp and revs to a scarcely believable 8,250rpm, outrageously high for an engine of this capacity.

And it has handling to match. The familiar quattro four-wheel-drive system is altered to provide a torque split of 40/60 front and rear, but this can change as conditions demand up to 65 per cent front or 85 per cent rear--so there's less of the understeer common with powerful four-wheel drives.

Settle into the deep (but lightweight) bucket seats, adjust the grippy steering wheel and prod the starter button, and in the first 100 yards the RS4 impresses.

There's a subtle growl from the big V8 even at low revs, though it never feels unrefined. The suspension and the steering feel taut and the whole car seems thoroughly planted on the road.

Begin to exercise your right foot and the powerplant reveals its true brilliance. There is loads of torque at low revs, and just a hint of throttle is all that is required to rumble forward at pace.

Plant the pedal to the floor and it flies. Yet the real party trick is the go available at higher revs.

Where the torque leaves off the power takes over, and to 8,000rpm the acceleration is relentless.

The clever four-wheel drive system means that power can be applied early on through a corner.

The steering is light at low speeds, but weights up as you press on, and with a sharp response to inputs it rewards a delicate touch--which hasn't necessarily been the case with previous models.

Yet turn the heat down to low and the RS4 will potter about for mile after mile.

Rather than being just another fast Audi, the RS4 should be regarded as one of the greats good enough to wear the famous quattro badge.

The lowdown

Audi rs4 quattro

* Price: £49,980 on the road.

* Engine: 4.2-litre V8 petrol, 414bhp and 317lb.ft of torque

* Transmission: Six-speed manual transmission, four-wheel drive

* Performance: Maximum speed 155mph (limited), 0-62mph 4.8 seconds

* CO2 emissions: 324g/km

* Economy: 20.9mpg