Audi’s RS6 Avant Will Blow You Away
RS 6 Photos
Fast wagons are awesome. So much power in such an unassuming and practical package; they’re the perfect cars for the family speed freak. This year couldn’t be better for those who adore this particular breed, as we’ve seen the international introductions of big and small wagons from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. But if there’s a car that’s going to make people sit up and pay attention, it’s this brand new Audi RS6 Avant.
Under the hood of this stealth wagon is a monster of an engine. Using the 5.2-liter V10 from the S6 as a starting point, Audi added a pair of turbochargers, and an air-to-air intercooler. After strengthening the internals to cope with the power and performance, plus adding the latest generation of direct injection, power has shot up to 580 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque, which simply blows away the E63 and M5 which both sit at the 500 horsepower mark. The adaptation of dry sump lubrication ensures that all of the engine’s oily bits stay well coated even at G-forces of up to 1.2 Gs.
All of this allows the car to blast to 62 mph in just 4.6 seconds and on to 125 mph in under 15 seconds. And while it will stop moving forward at 155 mph due to an electronic limiter, it’s bound to be faster between nil and 155 mph than any other wagon on the market.
No manual transmission will be offered on this ultimate wagon (the M5 and E63 don’t have manuals either), but perhaps more important for would-be buyer is that its performance is usable in all conditions. Like all other RS Audis, it features a Torsen-based quattro all-wheel drive system, but like the latest RS4, it’s a rear-biased system for more entertaining handling.
Given that the RS6 has more than a 100 hp advantage on the 911 Turbo, yet weighs 4,464 pounds, it’s going to need a lot of force to slow it down. That’s why the RS6 comes standard with 19-inch disc brakes, with an option of carbon ceramic discs just like Porsches and Ferraris. As for suspension upgrades, the RS6 features the same Dynamic Ride Control technology displayed on the RS4. Interlinked shock absorbers work to cancel out pitch, dive and roll, with their rate of damping capable of being set to three different levels for enhanced comfort or performance.
Most people that walk by the new RS6 Avant might assume that it’s tuned, but considering its performance levels it’s an incredibly discreet machine. Its new front and rear fascias are matched by the usual RS attire of mesh grilles and brushed silver mirror covers, but to most it’ll appear as just another wagon, albeit one with very cool LED head and tail lights. That’s the beauty of the RS6 Avant.