I am sickly obsessed with the Gallardo-powered, twin-turbo RS6 Avant

Audi RS6 Avant First Drive - AUTOCAR

Test date Friday, January 25, 2008 Price when new £77,625

 

Audi's Quattro system gives the RS6 all-weather ability like no other car in the class

 

What is it? The most powerful series production Audi ever. With 572bhp, the new second-generation RS6’s twin-turbocharged 5.0-litre V10 engine provides it with a whopping 99bhp more than the German car-maker’s previous top gun, the 473bhp twin-turbo V8-powered first generation RS6. This new four-wheel drive mega-estate is also the fastest accelerating road car to ever head out of Ingolstadt. Officially, it takes just 4.6sec to go from zero to 62mph, placing it on the same performance plane as Audi's mid-engined R8. Less than ten seconds later, though, RS6 owners will be hauling past the 124mph mark at a rate that grants their car a passport into a club of truly exotic supercars.

 

Speed, like all high-end Audi models, is limited to 155mph, though Audi invites owners to extend it to 174mph as part of a sports package that adds a remapped ECU among other goodies. Not enough? The new car’s development boss, Stephan Reil, says he’s seen 205mph during prototype testing on a deserted autobahn in Germany. For all the headline-grabbing value of these performance figures, though, it is the RS6’s deep reserves of torque that really shape its on-road character. With 479lb ft spread from 1500rpm to 6250rpm, the big Audi takes off like a space rocket from idle all the way up to its 6800rpm redline. The car's new four-valve-per-cylinder engine is derived from the naturally aspirated 5204cc unit found in the S6. Both share the same 90mm cylinder bore centre spacing and 84.5mm bore measurement, but the big news is the appearance of two turbochargers. Running a conservative 0.7 bar of boost pressure, they swell specific output to 115bhp-per-litre.

 

The only gearbox on offer is a six-speed automatic, operated by remote shift paddles on the steering wheel, and offering the choice between three distinct shift modes – automatic, sport and manual.

 

At 2025kg, the RS6 takes some stopping and, typically, Audi has left nothing to chance. The standard brakes combine 390mm (front) and 356mm (rear) steel discs with eight-piston (front) and single piston (rear) callipers. Initially, the new Audi RS6 will be built in Avant form only, though a 60kg lighter saloon version, promising even sharper performance, will head into UK showrooms this coming autumn.

 

What’s it like? Sensationally quick. Nailing the throttle leaves you in little doubt that the RS6 is the new autobahn performance king. Given enough space, it shrinks distance in a way no other car with seating for five adults and 565-litres of luggage space can. With all that under-bonnet firepower and a set of closely stacked gear ratios to deploy it, the new Audi makes long straights seem short and fast constant-radius bends suddenly much tighter than they first appeared. Immense thrust - the sort that momentarily pins you in the seat - is always just a twitch of the right foot away. The only real concern we have relates to the RS6's rather lumpy ride. Final conclusions will have to wait until we have the chance to drive it in the UK, but in a bid to maintain body control the suspension has been given a heavy reworking, with spring rates increasing by 12 per cent over the already-harsh-riding S6.

 

Audi has also fitted the car with adaptive dampers offering the choice between comfort, dynamic and sports modes. The comfort and dynamic settings cover most bases well, but the overly firm sport setting is really only suitable for track work.

 

For all its undoubted motorway strengths, though, the RS6 cannot defy the laws of physics. This is a big and heavy car, and it takes plenty of road space for the driver to feel entirely confident about operating near its limits.

 

At 2.2 turns lock-to-lock, the steering is pleasingly direct but not exactly generous in feedback. Good news, though: Audi has managed to make its responses more linear and much better weighted than the old RS6's. The old car’s tendency to tramline heavily under braking has also been greatly improved upon, making this new one more controlled and fluid in its actions over challenging back roads. As with all recent models from Audi’s quattro GmbH division, the RS6's four-wheel drive system doles out the drive in a 40:60 split front to rear. This car flatters its driver when the road turns twisty, allowing you to feed in huge amounts of power early and carry great speed into corners without fear of some nasty tail-led reprisal as you begin to wind on lock.

 

There’s tremendous neutrality in the way this car attacks bends, while grip is predictably massive. Once those high levels of adhesion have been breached, the onset of electronic stability control fades in progressive and well-contained understeer. As a point of reference at just how much the RS6’s dynamics have been improved, Reil claims the new model is capable of lapping the Nurburgring a whopping 20sec faster than its predecessor. “We spent a lot of time running at the Nordschliefe,” he says. “Conditions vary and every lap you run is unique, but we managed to get down to 8min 09sec during our final tests there.”

 

As well as this, it's sensationally rapid in a straight line, boasts tremendous directional stability at speed, superb levels of mechanical refinement, and the sort of all-weather invincibility you take for granted from a car bearing Ingolstadt’s signature rings.

 

The major strength of the new generation RS6 remains its colossal engine, but this time around Audi has given it a chassis that easily challenges the likes of the BMW M5 Touring and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG.

 

Should I buy one? If the threat of losing your licence in speed-camera-mad Britian is no great concern, then absolutely. For anyone who regularly covers big distances, hankers after supercar levels of performance, and requires seating for five and lots of luggage space, there’s probably no better new car on offer today.

 

Greg Kable

Looks about as shapely as a bar of soap. I can see the thing depreciating just standing there. I'd love a drive in it though.

it says 2 tons, I read somewhere it is actually 2.2 tons pig, heavy under steering audi pig

It is a blast. Would be a perfect car. Love it.

I like it too but it is a heavy heavy car.

Autocar RS6 Avant review

Im sure you could figure out a way to get your hands on one if you want it bad enough.

Sounds like the perfect "wolf in sheep skin" car.

I am in the process of working out what needs to be done to get one over here!

it says 2 tons, I read somewhere it is actually 2.2 tons pig, heavy under steering audi pig...

 

...that laps the Ring five seconds slower than a race-prepped Diablo GT.

 

That puts it in perspective a bit...and of course it's the sleeper practicality that's desireable in it, no one is going to worry about its driving feel not being identical to a Lotus Elise.

...that laps the Ring five seconds slower than a race-prepped Diablo GT.

 

That puts it in perspective a bit...and of course it's the sleeper practicality that's desireable in it, no one is going to worry about its driving feel not being identical to a Lotus Elise.

 

Why would you need an extremely fast station wagon? I never understood people buying these types of cars. Why? In my vision people who want station wagons are looking for practicality, economy etc therefore they get small diesel engines.

Why would you need an extremely fast station wagon? I never understood people buying these types of cars. Why? In my vision people who want station wagons are looking for practicality, economy etc therefore they get small diesel engines.

 

I actually agree with you in principal, and have said the line "go play race car driver in a proper race car" here many times to the guys who think their AMG-whatever-sedan is some sort of equal to a true 2-door/2-seat exotic.

 

But this Audi is a wagon that doesn't stand out, hence the sleeper status, and the practicality combined with that much power strikes me as funny. This is not some Cayenne douche-mobile, that SUV does stand out, this is the ultimate automotive stealth bomber.

 

Besides, as a second car why not.

I actually agree with you in principal, and have said the line "go play race car driver in a proper race car" here many times to the guys who think their AMG-whatever-sedan is some sort of equal to a true 2-door/2-seat exotic.

 

But this Audi is a wagon that doesn't stand out, hence the sleeper status, and the practicality combined with that much power strikes me as funny. This is not some Cayenne douche-mobile, that SUV does stand out, this is the ultimate automotive stealth bomber.

 

Besides, as a second car why not.

Well if you like it and would be willing to pay around 80-90k euro for a station wagon, why not then ?

 

You know what i think when i see station wagon amg's and various rs audis? My opinion of that guy is that he actually wanted a fast car that he could enjoy, but because he is not man enough to handle his spouse's comments about not getting a practical station wagon bla bla bla to pick up the kids from school etc etc, he just kind of tried to go around and purchased a super wagon

 

Another thing: Where i live a station wagon audi would stand out more than a Cayenne. Why? Because there is an infinite number of Cayennes and only one Audi station wagon. :icon_mrgreen:

 

Do whatever makes you happy Good luck on importing one in the US

Also a really nice cool car is the Audi allroad quattro. Is it available in the US?

I fully support Mako on this topic. Having a FAST, practical and stealthy DD is just great IMO, especially if you can combine it with a cool week end car.

 

My boss owns a RS6 and it is honestly THE nicest daily driver I've ever been in. It's just PERFECT. Even here, in snow-covered Montreal, with the AWD, it's a blast!! With good winter tires, it's almost unstoppable. You HAVE to love it. Even the sound is to die for...the deep, low TT V8 rumble...hum...sweet!!!

 

The new generation will be off the hook. I sent him the video review that was posted here on the forums 2-3 weeks ago. I think he will buy one when they get here. His reply to my email was: wwwwwwwwwwooooooowwwwwwwwww.

 

-Olivier

gimme a sedan version for gods sake!

I'd rather have an E55..........

I'd rather have an E55..........

Why would you need an extremely fast station wagon? I never understood people buying these types of cars. Why?

I've had severel Audi S cars, and the answer is simple. You want a fast and practical car you can use every day. The Quattro is what makes it worth it, as there is snow or rain 6 months a year here (at least).

I've had severel Audi S cars, and the answer is simple. You want a fast and practical car you can use every day. The Quattro is what makes it worth it, as there is snow or rain 6 months a year here (at least).

 

Ok, i agree, you need a fast daily driver... Get the sedan! Why would you need to ruin a perfectly good car like an rs6 by making it a station wagon? If you need to haul stuff get a Cayenne Turbo and get the job done perfectly it's far more practical than a sw, even better in rain and snow. I really don't get these cars, maybe it's just me. I for one would never buy any kind of station wagon.

 

Oh well, to each his own i guess

Ok, i agree, you need a fast daily driver... Get the sedan! Why would you need to ruin a perfectly good car like an rs6 by making it a station wagon? If you need to haul stuff get a Cayenne Turbo and get the job done perfectly it's far more practical than a sw, even better in rain and snow. I really don't get these cars, maybe it's just me. I for one would never buy any kind of station wagon.

 

Oh well, to each his own i guess

 

I would have never EVER purchased a SW or even thought about one until I had my Great Dane. Getting in and out of it is so much easier than an SUV, especially as he gets older. Plus, he is addicted to speed and told me that the RS6 Avant was his favorite so who am I to disagree!

Ok, i agree, you need a fast daily driver... Get the sedan! Why would you need to ruin a perfectly good car like an rs6 by making it a station wagon? If you need to haul stuff get a Cayenne Turbo and get the job done perfectly it's far more practical than a sw, even better in rain and snow. I really don't get these cars, maybe it's just me. I for one would never buy any kind of station wagon.

 

Oh well, to each his own i guess

Audi usually just make the RS car wagons only. I for one like them, as they look better than the sedans. First RS4 is a great example here. And pictures don't really do them justice, their presense in real life is far more obvious, allthough still an SW.

 

As for the Cayenne on snow and rain, any Audi Quattro would go circles around it, and I wouldn't call it more practical, as it is a lot bigger and make parking etc a bitch. Besides, they looks like shit

I would have never EVER purchased a SW or even thought about one until I had my Great Dane. Getting in and out of it is so much easier than an SUV, especially as he gets older. Plus, he is addicted to speed and told me that the RS6 Avant was his favorite so who am I to disagree!

 

 

Well if your great dane says so, then by all means, listen to it!

Audi usually just make the RS car wagons only. I for one like them, as they look better than the sedans. First RS4 is a great example here. And pictures don't really do them justice, their presense in real life is far more obvious, allthough still an SW.

 

As the owner of one of the most beautiful cars ever, i can't believe you actually like the looks of the SW more than the sedan...

 

ML63?

As the owner of one of the most beautiful cars ever, i can't believe you actually like the looks of the SW more than the sedan...

 

ML63?

Guess it's a personal thing...

 

Guess it's a personal thing...

 

Of course it is... I always wondered why the old rs4 only came as a SW though. The S4 was available as both sedan and SW, but the rs4 only as a sw...

Looks about as shapely as a bar of soap. I can see the thing depreciating just standing there. I'd love a drive in it though.