Very imposing, sitting quietly in the airport car park, the Audi RS6 Avant really has presence … but only to those who know what they are looking at.
Personally I love large load luggers that have supercar credentials. My S8 had a huge boot that could hold a playing field, but I really like the idea of estate cars that have blistering pace. I also like the idea of being able to park the supercar in a normal car park and not worrying about somebody deciding it needed extra key scrapes along the side – fast Audis always tend to be understated, and this RS6 is no different.
20″ Pirelli P Zero
The body shell is almost the same as the standard A6 variant, albeit with different aerodynamic aids to help keep this rocket ship grounded. The front bumper gains a splitter with the bad boy word … QUATTRO … stamped prominently, just in case you have time to see it as it looms large in the mirror. The Pirelli P zero tyres run 20 inches around, with a profile of 275/35. Hmm … expensive!
Highlights
Launched in December 2012 – this would have been a really nice Christmas present!! – the C7 variant of my favourite flavour of Audi is powered by a 4.0L twin turbo V8, punching out 553 bhp that propels this machine to 250km/h (electronically limited!), or you can actually have a Performance version that gives you just under 600bhp and a terminal velocity of 305km/h … just in case you found the standard offering lacking in performance.
RS6 quietly minding its own business
For those of us worried about fuel economy, there is Stop/Start and a cylinder on demand system. An 8 speed tiptronic transmission allows the driver to cover ground at an alarming rate, or just burble along happily in traffic.
Audi RS6 (C7) – Vital Statistics
| Power | 412 kW (553 bhp) @ 5700rpm | |
| Torque | 700 Nm (516 lb/ft) @ 2000rpm | |
| 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) | 3.9 seconds | |
| Maximum speed | 250 km/h (155 mph) | |
| Fuel consumption (average) | 10.0 l/100km (28 mpg) | |
| Fuel type, tank capacity | Petrol, 75 litres | |
| Weight | 1935 kg | |
| **** | **** | |
| Engine | CRDB, DOHC, Stop/Start, Cylinder on Demand, Two Twin-scroll turbochargers mounted in inner ‘V’ angle with relative pressure of 1.2 bar Variable intake and exhaust camshaft timing Active engine mounts | |
| Displacement | 3993 cc | |
| Cylinders and valves | V8, 32v | |
| Transmission | 8 speed automatic (ZF ECY) | |
| Drivetrain | All wheel drive |