There’s always that one car. In a sea of impressive vehicles, it’s the one that captures your attention, resonating on a deeper level. Wörthersee, the iconic gathering for car enthusiasts, is renowned for showcasing automotive excellence. Yet, amidst the countless ‘wow’ inducing cars at the 2019 event, one particular vehicle commanded extended admiration – Turbo Elite’s Signal Green Audi Rs4.
My visit to Velden was nearing its end, marking my third day immersed in the automotive spectacle of Wörthersee. Having already captured a wide array of content, I was still searching for that standout car. The prior two days were spent navigating the bustling hotspots, driven by the pursuit of this elusive, exceptional machine. Many remarkable cars had crossed my path, but the quest for the truly special one continued.
Instead of relentlessly searching, I decided to position myself at the renowned ENI station, a known automotive hotspot, and allow the extraordinary cars to gravitate towards me. Truthfully, fatigue from the preceding days played a role in this decision, prompting a desire for a more relaxed approach. It wasn’t serendipity, but the moment I turned a corner and spotted the Signal Green RS4, its hood raised, amidst a collection of other formidable vehicles, I knew the search was over. This was it.
The immediate challenge then became locating the owner of this stunning Audi RS4.
The Quest for the Owner
A seasoned tip for anyone seeking the owner of a captivating car at a show: position yourself near the vehicle, maintain a slightly inquisitive stance, and make eye contact with anyone approaching. If this subtle method proves ineffective, a polite inquiry within the surrounding crowd often yields positive results.
Persistence paid off, as contact was eventually established with Klaus Peter-Krenmayr, the owner. My timing was fortuitous, as Klaus was preparing to depart from Wörthersee imminently. It seems a high-visibility, 1000+hp Signal Green RS4 and the local law enforcement’s keen interest in such vehicles are not conducive to discreetly enjoying the event.
With limited time, I guided Klaus in my trusty (albeit somewhat battered) Volvo rental car to a secluded location, a familiar backdrop from a previous photoshoot a couple of years prior. Hopefully, the setting, reminiscent of a past feature, wouldn’t detract, as the focus rightfully belongs to the car itself.
Klaus’s RS4 embodies automotive perfection in my view; every aspect of this machine has been meticulously considered and refined. It’s an incredibly impressive build, especially considering Klaus describes it as an “impulse buy” in 2018. However, Klaus’s history with RS4s and other high-performance German automobiles provides context to his automotive choices.
The Signal Green Dream Realized
The vision of a Porsche Signal Green Audi RS4 had been germinating in Klaus’s mind for years, sparked after his first red RS4 tragically succumbed to fire with a mere 25km on the odometer. However, when a green RS4 emerged from the UK in 2012, Klaus, aiming for originality, opted for Sepang Blue for his subsequent RS4 project. He still retains ownership of this Sepang Blue beauty. In 2017, an Imola Yellow RS4 joined his collection, also still under his care. Yet, the Signal Green desire persisted.
When this particular car became available last year, Klaus recognized it as the opportune moment to finally realize his long-held vision and construct the RS4 he had always envisioned for himself.
The Enduring Appeal of the B5 RS4
The B5 generation Audi RS4 Avant holds a special place in the hearts of car aficionados. While they’ve garnered a reputation for requiring meticulous maintenance, many enthusiasts deem this trade-off worthwhile for the overall ownership experience.
Interestingly, B5 RS4 models are currently commanding higher prices in the used car market than their newer B7 counterparts, which are often considered more reliable with their 4.2-liter V8 engines. This price trend underscores the cult following and enduring desirability of the bi-turbo 2.7-liter V6 RS4.
Engine Transformation: Beyond the Original V6
As eagle-eyed observers may have already noticed, this particular RS4 no longer houses the factory 2.7-liter V6 engine.
There’s a compelling rationale behind this deviation. With two B5 RS4s already in Klaus’s collection and TurboElite.com, his business, centered around performance Volkswagens and Audis, continuous innovation is paramount. One of Turbo Elite’s pioneering projects was a 580hp VR6-powered MkIII Golf, marking the inception of a successful lineage of turbocharged VR6 and R32 projects.
What now resides under the hood is a Volkswagen 3.2-liter R32 BFH engine. This compact six-cylinder powerhouse features a meticulously crafted internal assembly: JE forged pistons, Integrated Engineering connecting rods, a billet crankshaft brace kit, a ZKT modified cylinder head, Schrick camshafts, and Supertech valves. A Comp Turbo CT5X turbocharger is mated to a bespoke exhaust manifold with a 4-inch downpipe. On the intake side, a substantial front-mount intercooler and custom intake manifold ensure optimal charge cooling.
Fuel delivery is managed by six high-capacity 1,700cc injectors fed by dual Pierburg fuel pumps. Engine management is entrusted to Turbo Elite’s proprietary ECU, specifically engineered for the R32 engine within the B5 chassis.
The culmination of these enhancements is a staggering 1,000.1hp peak horsepower output, accompanied by 960Nm of torque at 2.0bar (29.4psi) of boost. That ‘.1’ horsepower is a testament to precision tuning.
Klaus considers this power level to be a reliable and sustainable figure for this engine configuration. Power is transmitted through a robust Sachs RCS200 clutch and the original RS4 quattro gearbox and driveline.
Even if the modifications concluded here, the build would already be remarkable. However, this was just the beginning.
Despite acquiring the car in January 2018, the transformation didn’t commence until December of that year. This ambitious timeline provided Klaus and his team a mere five months to construct the car in anticipation of Wörthersee. Remarkably, the project was finalized just four days before its debut at the renowned VW festival.
Subtle Exterior, Aggressive Undertones
Beyond the striking Signal Green paint, the exterior modifications remain understated. The B5 RS4 already possesses an inherently aggressive aesthetic from the factory. The roof rails, front grille, and pillar trims have been expertly wrapped in carbon fiber by Hungarian specialists RS Carbon, representing the extent of the exterior cosmetic enhancements.
The ride height is dynamically managed by an Air Lift Performance 3P system, featuring 30-way adjustable damping at both front and rear axles. This system allows the body to be perfectly poised over the 19×10.5-inch Rotiform wheels, achieving the desired stance.
A distinct Porsche theme permeates the car, most notably evidenced by the GT2 front brake calipers paired with 365mm two-piece discs, and a 350mm Porsche setup at the rear, ensuring formidable stopping power.
Porsche-Inspired Interior
This Porsche influence is most pronounced within the cabin. Re-trimmed Porsche 991 front seats and a GT3-inspired, color-matched roll cage define the interior’s character. Significant attention was devoted to achieving the perfect balance of carbon fiber and Signal Green accents throughout the interior, resulting in a truly breathtaking aesthetic. Again, RS Carbon undertook the carbon fiber work and re-trimming.
The steering wheel, while appearing carbon fiber, is actually constructed entirely from carbon, further emphasizing the commitment to lightweight performance and visual appeal.
Being an Avant model, the rear cargo area provided ample space for a neatly integrated air suspension setup, while still retaining practical luggage capacity.
Twin Viair compressors feed two carbon-covered air tanks. Air distribution to each corner is managed by a digitally remote-controlled Air Lift Performance 3H/3P manifold, allowing for precise and convenient ride height adjustments.
The Perfect Balance
Undeniably, this is an exceptional machine.
Perhaps its most compelling attribute is the harmonious balance achieved across all aspects of the build. No single element overshadows the others. Mastering this equilibrium is a genuine skill, as it’s remarkably easy to overemphasize one area at the expense of others. We often encounter builds where a singular aspect dominates, neglecting holistic refinement. This Audi RS4 Turbo Elite is definitively not such a case.
It exudes speed, and more importantly, it delivers on that promise.
What horizons lie ahead for Klaus and Turbo Elite? Discussions are underway to revisit his Sepang Blue RS4, potentially incorporating a new 3.0-liter V6 engine configuration with aspirations to surpass the 1,000hp threshold.
Paddy McGrath
Instagram: pmcgphotos
Twitter: pmcgphotos
[email protected]
Klaus extends his gratitude to Arpi from RS Carbon, Fritz, Amel & Thomas. Follow Turbo Elite on Facebook
