With rivals including the Jaguar XFR-S, BMW M5 Touring and Mercedes E63 AMG, Audi’s new RS6 Avant has its work cut out to be the champion of high-performance estates. Even though it is less powerful than its predecessor, it is faster, more efficient and nearly 100kg lighter. However, do these improvements make it the best option on the market?
Performance
The outgoing Mk2 RS6 remains Audi’s most powerful car ever built, as this new incarnation is 28bhp less. Even so, its performance statistics are phenomenal considering the vehicle’s size. The RS6 hits 62mph in 3.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 189mph. This is thanks to the same twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine found in the Audi S8 and Bentley’s Continental GT.
Even though you’ll be paying the second highest road tax rate with 229g/km of CO2, its fuel economy is surprisingly good, achieving 28.8mph on a combined cycle. This is due to Cylinder-on-Demand technology, which shuts down the inlet and exhaust valves of certain cylinders during slow driving. Even when you put your foot down, the switch to all eight cylinders is unnoticeable.
Audi’s infamous four-wheel drive system ensures the RS6 remains planted off the line and in the corners. While this is extremely welcome for a car this size, the driving experience isn’t as wild as a smaller more nimble vehicle. Nevertheless, this is the first RS to offer adaptive air suspension for a smooth and composed ride.
Exterior
Estate cars tend to be an acquired taste when it comes to styling and are usually bought for practical reasons as opposed to aesthetic beauty. Nevertheless, the RS6’s aggressive attributes are subtle while its overall form remains close to the ground yet in proportion.
This revised model is slightly wider with extended wheel arches, but it won’t be too big or cumbersome for built-up areas. It’s 20-inch Audi Sport wheels come as standard while the twin sports exhausts produce a monumentally epic sound.
Audi’s unique flat-bottomed multi-function steering wheel features shift paddles to control the advanced 8-speed tiptronic gearbox. Its electrically adjustable sports seats feature significant side support bolsters and head restraints, which are very much required considering the jolt from intense acceleration.
The hexagonal seat patterns are reminiscent of the car’s front grille, a nice feature that adds to a comfortable and accommodating cabin. When you think about the amount of time you can potentially spend adjusting the driver settings, having a pleasant interior is pretty essential.
Equipment
For a large family car capable of achieving such ludicrous acceleration and speed, safety features have clearly been made a priority. In the event of an accident, the level of impact and position of seats are taken into account when an airbag is deployed, which in itself is adjusted accordingly. The car’s seat belts will also tighten if a head-on collision occurs. The optional carbon-ceramic 420mm front discs are a recommended addition.
An 8-inch high-resolution colour screen features a hard-drive based navigation system while the intuitive multimedia interface ensures the driver’s attention is kept on the road.
Extraordinarily powerful and immensely fun to drive, the Audi RS6 still manages to retain the important qualities of a family estate, namely a pleasant interior and lots of room. It certainly makes a case for being the best high-performance estate available,even when you consider its illustrious competitors.
Vital statistics
Price: from £76,988
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 560hp
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic tiptronic
0-60mph: 2.9 seconds
Top speed: 189mph (optional)
Economy: 28.8mpg (combined)
CO2: 229g/km
Audi Classic Chronograph
“A large chunk of luxury car buyers expect their accessories to reflect their style statement along with their car. To cater to this need of discerning luxury enthusiasts, we have a range of Audi accessories that are in line with our motto of sportiness, sophistication and progressiveness.” These are the words of Michael Perschke, Head of Audi India, where they have created a series of quality accessories for customers. The watch is made in Germany and features large luminous hands and numerals against a black dial. It runs on a Ronda 5020 quartz movement. The watch comes with a date display and double stop function.
