The RS 6 has always had a special place in Audi’s range of
high-performance cars. The first version, launched in 2002, was some- thing of
a sensation, its twin-turbocharged V8 engine delivering 450 PS and giving the Avant
blistering performance. When the second version
came along in 2008, the engineers at Audi felt that the output of the 4.2-litre
V8 engine was inadequate and so it was given a 5.0-litre version of the V10
engine from the Lamborghini Gallardo, turbocharged to develop 580 PS. That
version was even quicker, as you would expect, but it also had a pretty
substantial thirst for fuel.
In practical terms, there is little
difference between the RS 6 and other Avants in the A6 range...
Now, with the third incarnation of the RS
6, Audi has gone back to using a V8 engine, but this is not the traditional
4.2-litre unit which powers some of the other models, but the new 4.0-litre
unit which is being extensively used for the A8 and for an increasing number of
the faster models. With turbocharging, this unit develops no less than 560 PS
in the RS 6, with maximum torque of 700 Nm.
A variety of measures ensure that this power plant is more
fuel-efficient than the V10, one of the features being the cylinder-on-demand
technology, with four of the eight cylinders being deactivated when there is
little load.
At the heart of the Audi RS 6 Avant sits the impressive 4.0 litre V8 TFSI biturbo
engine delivering 560PS.
Unlike the V10-engined RS 6, which was available as both an Avant
and a Saloon, the current model has gone back to the policy introduced with the
first model, and only an Avant is available. In this guise, the RS 6 offers an
almost unique combination of load-carrying versatility and exceptional
performance.
In practical terms, there is little
difference between the RS 6 and other Avants in the A6 range. The amount of
space for passengers is very generous, with substantial legroom for those who
sit in the back, while the luggage deck, when fully extended by folding down
the rear seat backs, is exceptionally long. There are differences, of course,
and several cosmetic features, like the instruments and the graphics on the door
sills, make it quite clear that this is an RS 6. The so-called Super-Sport
seats have quilted leather upholstery, full electric controls for position, and
heating for those in front. The inlays on the doors and fascia are of carbon fibre,
the steering wheel, as you would expect, has a rim with flattened bottom and
its position can be adjusted electrically by means of a joystick-type knob at
the side of the steering column. As with several others of the more expensive
Audi models, you only need to have the key on your person to gain entry to the
car, starting the engine being achieved by pressing the start-stop button on
the console.
The Audi RS 6 comes with electrically
adjustable, RS-specific front Super sports seats finished in high-quality honeycomb-quilted
Valcona leather upholstery in either black or lunar silver
The tailgate powers upwards automatically
when you lift the switch on the driver’s door or press the key fob, and closing
is also power-operated when you press the switch on its exposed edge.
The RS 6 Avant is focused on performance
and exceptional dynamic qualities
The RS 6 Avant is a car which is focused
on performance and exceptional dynamic qualities, but there is one factor which
inevitably has to be taken into account: the overall weight of the car. Unlade,
it tips the scales at 1935 kg or 4267 lb. and, if there are four of you on
board, with all your luggage, the overall weight comes close to 5656 lb, or
about 2.5 tons. That is a lot of car to move and the engine needs to be very
powerful, as indeed it is.
