Driven: Audi RS6 Avant
Here is the first drive review of the Audi RS6 Avant after Motor Verso were given the opportunity to test out the car on a range of test roads at Millbrook Proving Ground.
What is the Audi RS6 Avant all About?
The Audi RS6 is a super practical car with supercar performance. The RS6 has been so successful because not everyone wants to be the centre of attention with a brightly coloured supercar, some people want the same performance but with more subtle and understated looks. The RS6 is still a fantastic looking car, but considering it has Ferrari-beating performance it does look relatively more casual than its competition.
The RS6 is powered by a 4.0 litre turbocharged V8 petrol engine that creates 605 PS and 700 Nm of torque, this power goes through an 8-speed Triptroinc gearbox to all 4 wheels. The car can get from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds and will do an electrically limited top speed of 155 mph, but unlimited the car should be capable of 189 mph.
How Does it Drive?
To fire up the 605 PS V8 engine you put one foot on the brake and one finger on the start button. Once that engine fires up you know that you are in for a good time. Even the exhaust note on idle is something to get excited about. In fact the exhaust note is that loud from inside the car you would think that the boot floor is made of paper.
Driving the RS6 for the first time was great, the car is as simple to drive as the Audi A3, but has more power than most two-seater mid-engine super cars. Once I got the car to the Alpine test circuit I got to experience full throttle of the car for the first time; my eyes opened up wide! The Audi RS6 Avant was blisteringly fast. One quick poke on the accelerator sent the RS6 hurtling forward instantaneously. The straight forward power was savage and highly addictive.
When shifting between gears at high revs the RS6 dumps a small drop of petrol into the exhaust system creating an exhaust pop, which makes grabbing that next gear even more fun. The exhaust note on this car stood out the most to me out of all the RS range of cars, it is the most dramatic and most desirable.
For such a large car, the RS6 Avant also works really well in the corners. The big brakes slow the mass of the car well and feel great via the braking pedal. The car seems to create lots of mechanical grip and allows you to feel relaxed when pushing the car into the corners.
The strangest characteristic about this car is the fact that it just defies science; cars this big shouldn’t be able to accelerate as fast as it does, even writing this I am still trying to get my head around it.
What is it like Inside?
Inside the car is very typically Audi, the interior is well thought out, all the buttons and controls are in the right places and feel as if they have impeccable quality. This RS6 has carbon fibre inserts on the dashboard that gives the car a very sporty feel, but without going over the top.
The next thing you notice is literally how much space there is inside this car. It’s a roomy car that is perfect for either family life or business life. This is a no compromise performance car. This car was that well kitted out that it even included a £1,750 night vision system helping you see in the dark, insane.
The infotainment system is a nice wide screen that is positioned on top of the dashboard. The interface works well and has lots of options to allow you to customise both your driving experience, interior environment and entertainment.
The Experience
The Audi RS6 Avant performance is incredible, how is it even possible that a car of this size can be this fast on the straights and also great in the corners. The Audi provides an in-depth performance car driving experience that will thrill the bones of even the more experienced drivers.
Verdict
The Audi RS6 provides a great package that has the best of all worlds, the car has been a proven success and in its latest form still doesn’t disappoint. It has the speed that will give a 911 the chills, the looks that are suitable for a vicar, and the practicalities that will meet everyday life.
Video Highlights
Specification
Audi RS6 Avant
- Price: £94,915
- Engine: 4.0-Litre V8
- Power: 605 PS
- Torque: 700 Nm
- Transmission: Eight-speed tiptronic AWD
- 0-62mph: 3.7 Seconds
- Top speed: 155mph
- Weight: 2,005kg
- Economy: 29mpg
- CO2: 223g/km
Author: Paul Hadley
