2003 Audi RS 6 Review

Specifications

Lightspeed to Ludicrous Speed

Audis audacious 450 horsepower RS 6 is one of the most potent 4-door sport sedans in the world. The fact that it could be had in North America was good news for affluent automotive enthusiasts when it hailed last year. Alas only a handful, if any of these super sedans are still available. Unfortunately few takers meant that no 2004 model has been made available in the U.S. Ironically, youll have to go north to Canada to find one, available in that country for the first time this year.

But if you manage to find a new one here in the U.S., just how affluent do you need to be? Youll need an expendable income that will allow more than $80,000 for transportation allocation.

OK, thats a lot of money. When BMW last sold its M5 in the U.S. market during model year 2003, the M5 is on a one year hiatus awaiting its new iteration, prices started at $70,400. But Audi fans will be quick to point out the RS 6 supplies a potent 56 additional horsepower and 47 lb-ft of extra torque, resulting in 450 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque.

OK, now Ive got your attention?! Such numbers can only be superceded by the outrageous Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG that sports 469 horsepower and 515 lb-ft of torque for an equally stellar $78,550 price tag. Obviously the power struggle is alive and well in todays premium sport sedan segment.

But its important to recognize that not all super sedans are created equal. I had the opportunity to sample the car not too long ago and I have to say it doesnt feel as racy as the M5. Part of this has to do with its automatic-only transmission, compared to the M5s 6-speed manual. Audi has equipped the RS with steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters, however, giving the 5-speed Tiptronic F1 appeal.

The paddle shifters combine with a racy perforated leather-wrapped sport steering wheel that frames a beautifully detailed set of white and red on black gauges, replete with an RS 6 badge in the middle of the tachometer.

Audi embosses the RS 6 moniker in the back of the leather-covered Recaro front seats, which also feature contrasting piping around their extremities for a bit of old-world charm. But the piping is the only thing old-world about this cars seats, as supportive as any in the midsize premium class. Traditional natural-colored wood has been dispensed with too, for a unique brown and gray-toned grain more fitting the cars sporting objective.

The RS 6 has been subtly updated on the outside too, and with subtle in mind Im glad Audi didnt go overboard trying to separate this go-fast model from its more responsible brethren. Rather than adding deep skirts to the lower bodywork, the RS 6 features a completely redesigned lower fascia incorporating three large intakes designed to match the grille opening above. Circular fog lamps complete the look. Skirts run down each rocker panel, giving the car a more planted appearance that works well with the 18-inch 9-spoke alloy rims on low-profile P255/40ZR18 rubber. In back the fascia looks more like a rear diffuser, featuring three panels of the same black mesh plastic design that makes up the grille in front. Each outside “opening,” theyre not actually functional, sport a fat chrome-tipped oval exhaust pipe. Very nice! A small decklid spoiler finished off the rear end design.

While quite a few changes have been made, the RS 6 isnt the kind of car that attracts a great deal of attention. This will be good or bad depending on your need for external recognition. Personally, I liked its “cloaked” visage, with only those truly in the know paying attention and giving the nod - or mouths agape and fingers pointing in the case of young men in their VW Golf GTIs.

While I didnt see the faces of bystanders as the car shot forward from the odd stoplight that tempted my maturity level, my guess is they were equally wowed. The car is ridiculously fast, at about 4.6 seconds to 60 mph it feels like getting punched in the back of the head with a silk boxing glove.

Why silk? It shifts so smoothly on its way up to speed theres no slap in the back like in other top-tier sports sedans, but by some magical incarnation the car manages the same rapid rate of speed. Stand on the accelerator without letting off and it will eventually top out at a rev limited 155 mph.

But quite a few cars can accelerate quickly. What the RS 6 offers is all the speed with at least as much control, thanks to a wonderfully sorted suspension system and quattro all-wheel drive. On my way up the circuitous mountain roadway toward my local ski resort, fortunately deserted at the time, the cars power delivery from a rolling start was so immediate chills went up and down my spine. The adrenaline rush was so intoxicating I had one of those hysterical moments when all I could do was giggle out loud in silly glee. The fact that the road surface was mixed wet and dry flanked by snow banks didnt give me concern, as traction was not an issue.

It took to the curves with equal verve, due to its unique suspension dubbed Dynamic Ride Control (DRC). The setup is designed to counter body roll and pitch by incorporating diagonally-interconnected, single-tube shock absorbers. Whatever, it works without fault.

Coming down the mountain, with more of the cars weight on the front wheels I was a bit more conservative, but still I didnt exactly poke along. Fortunately Audi equipped the RS 6 with brakes as formidable as the engines thrust, bringing the car down in intensity immediately and without commotion. They feature a composite design with 365 mm front discs clamped down on by 8-piston fixed calipers, plus 335 mm rotors and a single-piston floating caliper in the rear.

In the end the RS 6 can perform as well as many top-tier sports cars with the added comfort and convenience of four-doors and five-seats. Whats more, the interior materials used, fit and finish and overall execution is about as good as this class gets. Where the M5 feels like a four-door racing car, the RS 6 goes about its duty in a more reflective but just as effective manner, not beating up its occupants in the process.

But is it worth $82,700? That question, as it seems, you have already answered with your own checkbooks. Its price put it in loftier ground than either the M5 or E55, both which offered either more sport or more power and luxury respectively. Still, the RS 6 is easily one of the best sports sedans in the world and worthy of M5 and E55 comparison.