What's the news?
Barely a motor show goes by nowadays without Audi unveiling a new 'S' or 'RS' model, but the RS 6 Avant is our favourite hot Audi yet. We will even forgive it for dropping the glorious 5.0-litre V10 engine of old for the sake of efficiency.
Exterior
Take one A6 Avant, pump it full of quattro-brand steroids and growth hormones and you have the RS 6 Avant. The design formula for hot Audis has long been set with deeper valances, more muscular arches and those distinctive chrome wing mirrors, but Audi seems intent on adding its 3D 'quattro' script to the lower portion of the grille too, despite dissenters in some quarters.
Interior
The RS interior theme one is equally well known. Expect to see luxuriously appointed but figure hugging leather seats, a flat-bottomed RS-branded steering wheel, paddle shifters for the ZF transmission and unique dials.
Mechanicals
Unlike the last Audi RS 6, the new car uses a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine that currently sees use in the S6, S7 and S8 models. For the RS however power has been upped to 560hp. While this figure is down 30hp on the old Lamborghini derived unit it is made up for by increasing the torque to 700Nm. In standard guise the RS 6 is restricted to 155mph; however, an optional Dynamic Package raises that to 174mph, while the next-level Dynamic Package Plus allows 190mph.
Despite these autobahn-storming top speeds, Audi claims that the new RS 6 is 30 per cent more economical than the previous V10-engined model, with a CO2 figure correspondingly lower at 229g/km. These savings are achieved by way of stop-start and Audi's 'cylinder on demand' technology that shuts down four of the eight cylinders under partial load.
The V8 engine is mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, with RS specific gear ratios. The RS 6's air suspension rides 20mm lower than the S6 and is fitted with continuously adaptive damping.
Anything else?
Prices and final specifications are yet to be set but rumours suggest a price tag of between £75,000 and £80,000. This will rocket skywards after you are done adding paddle shifters, the sports differential and some other tasty options.
Paul Healy - 6 Mar 2013
