Curb Zone - View Single Post - Hi-Speed Run in the RS4

S4Aero · 03-12-2007, 09:51 PM

Hi folks. It's been a while since I've posted. Work keeps getting in the way of fun.

Sometimes however, work gives you a chance for fun. I had to travel to a clients location today for an off-site catering, and the best way to get there is by taking the interstate (I 80 actually). The Department of Transportation has been doing some major rework on the highway, widening it to 3 lanes in most spots, and repaving it everywhere.

The road is in as good a ahape as I've seen it in my 36 years of driving.

It was a beautiful day for a drive today. Cool (around 50F), dry, and a little overcast.

I was trying to catch a coworker of mine whom had left about 10 minutes before me. A nearly impossible task in 40 miles when someone has a 7 to 8 mile lead.

We all know that the RS is a very capable autobahn cruiser, but in the states speed limits on most interstates are 65 - 70 mph (65 where I live) You can usually get away with 75 -80 in the 65 zones, but much more than that, and you're asking for trouble.

Extreme extra-legal speeds are really frowned upon. The fines are very heavy, and a triple digit speed is likely to land you in jail.

My RS has laser jamming and radar detection, but it doesn't detect airplane timing. It's up to the driver to keep an eye on the sky.

Anyway, enough background. I was averaging a little over 80 mph through some light to moderate traffic with no problem. A couple of brief sprints up to about 100 where traffic was lighter. Remember, 3 lanes, so there is some margin for safety.

After passing a group of cars rounding a gentle bend, the road completely opened up. I couldn't see a car for a mile or more.

Without downshifting to 5th, I just put the pedal down. 100 came pretty quickly, then 110, 120, 130, 140 and before long at all, 150. The only car I passed during this blast was a silver M3 - probably while I was doing about 130.

He never made a move to catch me.

The car was absolutely rock solid at 150. Scary so. I've heard people mention a "wobble" at high speed, but I never felt it.

When I slowed down to about 80, it felt like I was standing still.

I imagine that a few people who watched the RS4's taillights disappear into the distance were suitably distressed by the reckless speeder.

Oh well. The only person in any danger was me, and frankly, it didn't feel very dangerous.

I'm not in the habit of doing 150, but this is one car that is capable of that speed (and more) in the right circumstances. I didn't get a look at the tach before I backed off, but it felt like there was a lot of room left. I would have liked to hit the speed limiter, but I was gaining on heavier traffic pretty quickly.

Oh yeah, I caught my coworker just before the exit we needed.

I've had the RS for about 9 months now, and have experienced many 0-60 runs and a lot of speed runs through the twisties, but this was the first time I've opened her up on the highway for a top-end run.

I didn't hit the limiter this time, but I will...

03-12-2007, 09:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
S4Aero Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ohio, USA Posts: 66 Thanks: 6 Thanked 36 Times in 11 Posts	Hi-Speed Run in the RS4 Hi folks. It's been a while since I've posted. Work keeps getting in the way of fun. Sometimes however, work gives you a chance for fun. I had to travel to a clients location today for an off-site catering, and the best way to get there is by taking the interstate (I 80 actually). The Department of Transportation has been doing some major rework on the highway, widening it to 3 lanes in most spots, and repaving it everywhere. The road is in as good a ahape as I've seen it in my 36 years of driving. It was a beautiful day for a drive today. Cool (around 50F), dry, and a little overcast. I was trying to catch a coworker of mine whom had left about 10 minutes before me. A nearly impossible task in 40 miles when someone has a 7 to 8 mile lead. We all know that the RS is a very capable autobahn cruiser, but in the states speed limits on most interstates are 65 - 70 mph (65 where I live) You can usually get away with 75 -80 in the 65 zones, but much more than that, and you're asking for trouble. Extreme extra-legal speeds are really frowned upon. The fines are very heavy, and a triple digit speed is likely to land you in jail. My RS has laser jamming and radar detection, but it doesn't detect airplane timing. It's up to the driver to keep an eye on the sky. Anyway, enough background. I was averaging a little over 80 mph through some light to moderate traffic with no problem. A couple of brief sprints up to about 100 where traffic was lighter. Remember, 3 lanes, so there is some margin for safety. After passing a group of cars rounding a gentle bend, the road completely opened up. I couldn't see a car for a mile or more. Without downshifting to 5th, I just put the pedal down. 100 came pretty quickly, then 110, 120, 130, 140 and before long at all, 150. The only car I passed during this blast was a silver M3 - probably while I was doing about 130. He never made a move to catch me. The car was absolutely rock solid at 150. Scary so. I've heard people mention a "wobble" at high speed, but I never felt it. When I slowed down to about 80, it felt like I was standing still. I imagine that a few people who watched the RS4's taillights disappear into the distance were suitably distressed by the reckless speeder. Oh well. The only person in any danger was me, and frankly, it didn't feel very dangerous. I'm not in the habit of doing 150, but this is one car that is capable of that speed (and more) in the right circumstances. I didn't get a look at the tach before I backed off, but it felt like there was a lot of room left. I would have liked to hit the speed limiter, but I was gaining on heavier traffic pretty quickly. Oh yeah, I caught my coworker just before the exit we needed. I've had the RS for about 9 months now, and have experienced many 0-60 runs and a lot of speed runs through the twisties, but this was the first time I've opened her up on the highway for a top-end run. I didn't hit the limiter this time, but I will...