Audi Boosts Output of Final Run RS 6 to 479-HP Before New Model Arrives

New RS 6 Plus Features Highest Top-Speed at 175 MPH

When is enough, enough? When it comes to horsepower it seems all bets are off as to which automaker will one-up the next from month to month.

Before the RS 6 takes a temporary hiatus, the result of being updated to all-new 2005 A6 standards, the Ingolstadt engineers are preparing to send it off with one big final bang, and what a bang it is.

Audis RS 6 is one of the most potent in the field, out-powering last years BMW M5 and Jaguar S-Type R with 450 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. Only the sensational Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG delivers more power and torque, reason enough for Audi to up the ante in its final incantation.

Called the RS 6 Plus, Audi has reworked the 4.2-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine to increase output by 29 horsepower to 479, marginally inching out Benzs E55 by just two horsepower. Torque remains constant at a more-than-ample 415 lb-ft.

But theres another important modification made to the RS 6 Plus, its faster than any other super sedan on the market - until the 500+ horsepower V10-powered M5 comes along at least. The electronic speed limiter has been raised to 175 mph, going well above and beyond the magical 155 mph limit.

To go along with the more powerful motor is a reduction in ride height of 0.4 inches, plus the addition of firmer dampers.

The final 15 weeks of current-generation RS 6 production will be dedicated to building Plus models. Prices and sales numbers have yet to be disclosed, but Audi hopes that they will go as quickly from the showroom floor as they will on the autobahn, and for top-dollar. With the autobahn in mind, an Audi official stated that there is "no word of the Plus edition" for the U.S. market. It makes sense, however, that the small RS 6 Plus production run means it will probably not be available in North America.