If power corrupts, the fourth generation Audi RS 6 Avant is definitely the shadiest offering to emerge from the German marque so far. Jonathan Crouch checks out its mettle...

Ten Second Review

Estates don't come any quicker - and very few cars of any kind do full stop. The RS 6 Avant uses the 4.0-litre TFSI twin-turbo V8 with mild hybrid assistance and a thumping 800Nm of pulling power. The result is 600PS, 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds, 124mph in 12 seconds and one queasy looking Labrador.

Background

One-upmanship, the car industry is awash with it and car enthusiasts wouldn't have it any other way. If the leading manufacturers were any less hell-bent on outdoing their rivals at every opportunity, cars like the Audi RS 6 Avant would simply never have been dragged into being. There are those who will greet news of this 600PS super estate with abject horror and most right-minded observers will at least briefly entertain the possibility that Audi may have gone a shade too far this time, but you have to admire the firm's commitment. For car nuts the world over, the only thing more exciting than the prospect of climbing into an RS 6, firing up the V8 biturbo engine then administering the full beans will be the thought of what BMW and Mercedes will do to top it. Rest assured, as soon as news of the RS 6 broke, the machinations of the powers that be in Munich and Stuttgart will have been directed along similar lines.

Driving Experience

The engine in question is the same V8 already found in star cars like Audi's S8 flagship. Don't be dismayed by its extra mild hybrid tech if all you care about is performance. The 4.0 TFSI remains a thoroughbred V8 in terms of character and sound as 62mph flashes by in just 3.6s. And the driver can influence that sound using the Audi drive select system. In the new, customisable RS1 and RS2 modes accessible via Audi drive select, customers decide themselves whether the sound should be full-blooded or balanced. The standard eight-speed tiptronic auto transmission with optimised shift times and a new Launch Control function transmits the power of the 4.0 TFSI to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. The drive forces are distributed to the front and rear axle in a ratio of 40:60 via an all-mechanical centre differential. If one wheel slips, more drive torque automatically goes to the axle with the better traction. Up to 70% can be channelled to the front wheels and up to 85% to the rear wheels. There's also wheel-selective torque control for more agile handling, the system braking the wheels with reduced load on the inside of a bend slightly before they can begin to spin. And you get a quattro sport differential that shifts the drive torque when cornering at speed as required between the rear wheels, thus improving traction, stability and dynamics. So there's everything you need to ruin the day of that supercar driver behind.

Design and Build

The RS 6 hints at its fearsome capabilities via a predictably aggressive exterior. With the exception of the front doors, roof and tailgate, the exterior of the RS 6 Avant is different from any ordinary A6 Avant, comprising exclusively RS-specific parts, including a power-dome bonnet, a roof edge spoiler and an RS-specific bumper with rear diffuser. In hallmark RS style, the RS exhaust system flows on both sides into oval chrome-coloured tailpipes. The cabin's decorated with inlays in matt brushed dark aluminium and the centre-dash screen's 'MMI touch response' display is incorporated almost invisibly into the black-panel architecture. There's also an "RS Monitor" display that provides the driver with the option to see an overview of the temperature status of the drive components and the maximum g acceleration figures, along with information on tyre pressure and temperature in the top display. In the Audi virtual cockpit instrument cluster screen, special RS displays provide information on torque, power output, engine oil temperature, boost pressure, lap times, acceleration measurements and g forces. Plus there's a perforated flat-bottomed sport leather steering wheel that features large RS shift paddles made of aluminium and multifunction buttons that allow the driver to also directly select the new Audi drive select RS1 and RS2 modes. And, as ever with an RS 6 Avant, it's practical too. The luggage compartment has a capacity of between 565 and 1,680-litres. The sort of capacity a supercar owner could only imagine.

Market and Model

Whichever way you look at it, buyers will be facing a hefty pricetag for an RS 6 - around £93,000 - which would be a lot for a large estate car but not so much when you consider its performance credentials. Only pure-bred supercars can match the RS 6 for pace and they come with supercar pricetags and supercar practicality, rendering them out of the question for many. Whatever your view on it, there's no doubt that you'll have an easier time justifying the purchase of an RS 6 to your other half that of a Lamborghini Huracan. The RS 6 interior does a decent job of justifying the car's pricing. The standard A6 feels genuinely special inside with some beautiful design touches and real quality throughout. This gives the RS6 a solid platform which it builds on with Valcona leather ventilated RS sports seats, a flat-bottomed RS steering wheel and expensive-looking aluminium detailing. There are read-outs for turbo boost pressure and oil temperature too. The paint range for the RS 6 Avant includes thirteen colours, including the two RS-specific colours, 'Nardo grey' and 'Sebring black' crystal effect, along with a choice of five matt-effect paint finishes.

Cost of Ownership

Thanks to its new 48-volt mild hybrid electrical system, the twin-turbo V8 combines maximum performance with surprising efficiency. Audi says up to 22.6mpg is possible on the WLTP combined cycle. A belt alternator starter lies at the heart of the mild hybrid system and up to 12kW of power can be recovered during light deceleration and stored in a separate lithium-ion battery. If the driver lifts off the accelerator at a speed of between 34 and 99mph, the drive management selects one of two options. Depending on the driving situation and setting in the standard Audi drive select dynamic driving system the car recovers energy or coasts for up to 40 seconds with the engine switched off. Re-applying pressure on the accelerator instructs the belt alternator starter to restart the engine. MHEV technology allows for start/stop operation at speeds of up to 13mph. Another key efficiency-focused component is the cylinder on demand (COD) system, which at low to intermediate loads and speeds deactivates cylinders 2, 3, 5 and 8 in the high gears by switching off injection and ignition and closing the intake and exhaust valves. In four-cylinder operation, the operating points in the active cylinders are displaced toward higher loads in areas of the characteristic map with higher efficiency, while the deactivated cylinders largely run without losses, like gas springs. When the driver presses the accelerator pedal, they are reactivated instantly.

Summary

So exactly who is it that goes out and buys a vehicle capable of transporting a family of four and their holiday luggage on a sub 8-minute lap of the Nurburgring Nordschleife, overtaking a gaggle of supercars in the process? The Audi RS 6 Avant is definitely not your average executive saloon or estate and that's a given. It's a car with an awesome array of talents, from its 600PS performance to its 1,680-litre payload capacity, and one that takes the executive supercar arms race to a whole new level. Some will find the idea of a saloon or estate car with 800NM of grunt from a 4.0-litre biturbo V8 difficult to reconcile with the modern motoring age of proliferating speed cameras, spiralling fuel prices and emissions-based vehicle taxation. In the end, though, if the RS 6 buyers aren't forthcoming, the bottom could potentially fall out of this highly specialised and proudly contested market sector. That would deny car enthusiasts the world over the opportunity of seeing where those crazy Germans will go from here.

Body Glass

Rear wiper

Heat insulating darkened glass in side and rear windows

Adaptive windscreen wipers with integrated washer jets

Privacy glass with rear/side windows and acoustic glazing side windows

Electric front/rear windows

Rain and light sensors

Brakes

EBD - Electronic brakeforce distribution

RS ceramic brakes with red callipers

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) including ABS, ASR and EDL

Electromechanical parking brake

Carpets/Rugs

Front floor mats with coloured RS logo and rear floor mats

Chassis/Suspension

RS 6 GT adjustable coilover suspension

Communication

Audi smartphone interface with app store includes wireless Apple carplay, Android auto and Amazon alexa integration

Bluetooth interface

Voice control system

Audi connect safety and service (e-call)

Audi connect with Amazon Alexa Integration

Driver Aids

Dynamic all wheel steering

Audi drive select

Surround view camera system

Lane departure warning system

Driver Convenience

Automatic start/stop system

Power operated tailgate

Operating buttons in black, glass look with haptic feedback including extended aluminium look

Comfort key with sensor controlled luggage compartment release with SAFELOCK

Driver Information

Audi virtual cockpit plus with RS specific design and 12.3" display with additional graphic display options

Service interval indicator

Audi infotainment with MMI navigation with MMI touch + twin touch screens 10.1" and 8.6" with haptic and acoustic feedback

Black dinamica dashboard

Head up Display

Driving Mirrors

Gloss Carbon door mirrors

Frameless auto dimming interior rear view mirror

Electrically adjustable, heated and folding door mirrors with integrated LED indicators and kerb view function for passenger side

Embellishment Trims

Dinamica microfibre decorative inlays in deep black

Engine

73 litre fuel tank

Increased top speed to 190mph

48V Mild hybrid technology

Entertainment

Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium Sound System

DAB Digital radio

Audi music interface

Exterior Body Features

Black audi rings and black RS badges

RS sports exhaust system with high gloss black oval tailpipe trims

Without roof rails

Carbon bonnet with visible stripes

Rear side wing doors

RS 6 GT badging in the radiator grille and at the rear in heritage design

Larger air inlets and sporty air outlets behind the wheel arches with GT logo

Rear diffuser in a sporty look in gloss black with integrated reflector in the middle

Specific front bumper with differentiating features in gloss black

RS 6 GT rear spoiler

Exterior Lights

LED rear combination lamps with dynamic light design and dynamic turn signal

3rd brake light

HD Matrix LED headlights with Audi laser light with dynamic light design and dynamic turn signal

LED daytime running lights

Without headlight washers

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

4 zone deluxe automatic climate control

Interior Features

Black dinamica headlining

Door sill inlay in gloss carbon

Front centre armrest

Illuminated front and rear door sill trims with aluminium inlays and RS6 GT logo

3 spoke RS flat bottom alcantara leather multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles, heated funtion, contrast stitching, RS mode button/RS emblem

Electric steering wheel adjustment

Stainless steel pedals and foot rest

Interior Lights

Entry LED with RS 6 GT projection, front and rear (Audi beam)

Audi phone box light

Packs

Storage pack - RS6

Ambient lighting pack plus - RS6

Park assist pack with park assist plus - RS6

Tour pack - RS6 Performance/carbon/vorsprung

RS bucket seats pack - RS6

Air quality pack - RS6

Safety

Audi pre sense basic

Warning triangle and first aid kit

3 point rear seatbelts

Audi pre city

Seat belts in crimson red

Extended pedestrian protection measures

Side airbags, front and rear including head airbag system and illuminated belt buckles

Direct tyre pressure monitoring system

Manual child lock in rear doors

Seats

Without child isofix in front

Heated front seats

Without seat ventilation/massage in front

Front and rear headrests

Single passenger seat

4 way electric lumbar support for driver and front passenger

3 seat bench in 2nd row

ISOFIX and Top Tether child seat mounting for the outer rear seats

Security

Remote central locking

Keyless Go

Anti theft alarm with tow away protection

Immobiliser

Towing

Without tow bar preparation

Transmission

Quattro sports differential

Wheels

Performance tyres

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit

Tool kit

Emissions - ICE

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 277

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 277

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 277

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinder Layout: V8

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: TWIN TURBO

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

CC: 3996

Gears: 8 SPEED

Engine Code: 4A5RRA

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 12.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 12.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 12.2

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 23.2

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 23.2

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 23.2

General

Badge Power: 630

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Badge Engine CC: 4.0

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

Special Edition: No

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: 102059

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 50E

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

Coin Series: RS6 GT

Coin Description: TFSI Quattro

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Performance

Engine Torque - MKG: 86.7

Top Speed: 190

0 to 62 mph (secs): 3.3

Engine Power - KW: 463

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Power - BHP: 630

Engine Power - RPM: 6000

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 627

Engine Torque - NM: 850

Engine Torque - RPM: 2300

Test Cycles

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Tyre Size Front: 285/30 R22

Space Saver?: 0

Alloys?: No

Wheel Type: 22" ALLOY

Wheel Style: 6 ARM

Tyre Size Rear: 285/30 R22

Vehicle Dimensions

Width (including mirrors): 2110

Height: N

Height (including roof rails): 1487

Wheelbase: 2929

Length: 5018

Weight and Capacities

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2725

Minimum Kerbweight: 2060

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 73

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 2100

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 665

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 548

No. of Seats: 5

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12.1

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1658

Exterior Body Features

Solid paint

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Mythos black with black and grey ghost livery

Paint - Solid

Solid - Arkona white with heritage livery

Solid - Nardo grey with black and grey ghost livery

Service/Warranty

Audi warranty - 4 years or 75000 miles

Audi warranty - 5 years or 90000 miles

Trim - Part Leather

RS bucket seats pack - Black with red and gloss copper stitching

Wheels - Alloy

22" 6 arm matt black alloy wheels with performance tyres from continental