Audi confirms RS6 Avant prices 04 | 01 | 2020
AUDI HAS CONFIRMED its all-new RS6 estate will cost from £92,700; that’s for the base car. You can, of course, opt for either of the RS6 Carbon Black, RS6 Vorsprung and RS6 Launch Edition models; such a decision could see you splash out £109,250 … and that’s before you start ticking the boxes on the options list! (Related: Audi RS Q3 and RS Q3 Sportback)
The RS6 retains its 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which means it’s now the only V8 in the A6 and A7 family following Adi’s decision to swap petrol V8 power for a V6 turbodiesel in the S6/S7 duo.
With its already 3mm larger turbos, the RS6 ups performance to 592bhp and 590lb/ft; that’s an increase of 39bhp and 74lb/ft on the previous model. Power’s delivered to all four wheels via the uprated eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.
And though it’s put on a bit of weight — around 140kg — it’s no slouch, hitting 62mph from standstill, with the aide of a new launch control, in 3.6secs, and carries on to top-out at 155mph. That’s, of course, unless you choose the Dynamic Package or Dynamic Package Plus, which raises that to 174mph, or 190mph respectively.
And even the RS6 Avant is doffing its cap to sustainability. Not only does it adopt the 48-volt mild hybrid system from the rest of the range, but it retains the cylinder deactivation from the previous model (it shuts down four cylinders during gentler driving). MPG? Hmmm … interestingly, Audi has still to release those figures.
Available only as an RS6 estate — read, Avant in Audi-speak — there will, however, be an RS7 four-door fastback, which is due later this year and will be as close as possible in resembling the old RS6 saloon.
As you’d expect — and can see from the pix — the RS6 Avant is an aggressive-looking beast: the front and rear wheel arches have increased to create an 80mm wider body. In fact, only the roof, tailgate and front doors carry over from the standard A6 Avant. Oh! And if you’re interested, you can spec the entire front grille in carbon (that’s one of those ‘option boxes’ I mentioned earlier!).
Inside the luxurious cabin there’s sports seats in Nappa leather and Alcantara, Audi’s Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster, and a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel with aluminium paddles. There’s also the familiar Audi Drive Select button that changes suspension/drivetrain/steering characteristics.
However there is a new Performance setting on the digital dash. And it sounds like fun. Well, for those of a certain mindset. It allows the driver to not only keep an eye on temperatures for the oil, water, tyres and Sport diff, but brings up a racecar-style rev counter, displays laptimes and g-force readings. Love to know often they’ll be used.
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Jim McGill