New Audi RS 6 Avant: 600 hp estate reaches 305 km/h

Let’s get straight to the point. The new Audi RS 6 Avant reaches 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and, after 12 seconds, the speedometer needle arrives at 200 km/h. It has no shortage of power to comfortably reach its electronically limited 250 km/h top speed, although that figure can be raised.

Choose the Dynamic package and the RS 6 Avant will reach 280 km/h; select Dynamic Plus and this estate car - supposedly intended for (very) hurried families - breaks through the 300 km/h barrier, with a 305 km/h top speed.

This is all made possible by the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 beneath the bonnet, which produces 600 hp between 6,000 and 6,250 rpm, along with a maximum 800 Nm of torque available from 2,050 to 4,500 rpm.

The engine is also supported by a 48 V mild-hybrid system, capable of recovering up to 12 kW of power and cutting fuel consumption by up to 0.8 l/100 km. It is paired with cylinder deactivation - officially, this V8 is rated at 12.4 l/100 km, corresponding to CO₂ emissions of 281 g/km.

Chassis and drivetrain

These substantial figures are sent to all four quattro wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox with launch control. Power is split 40/60 between the axles, but choosing either the Dynamic or Dynamic Plus package adds a centre differential capable of directing up to 70% of the power to the front axle and up to 85% to the rear axle.

The chassis specification also includes enormous standard 21-inch wheels (275/35 R21) - with 22-inch items available as an option - and RS adaptive air suspension, allowing both ride height and damping stiffness to be adjusted. The RS sports suspension with Dynamic Ride Control, which reduces body roll, is also optional. It includes three-stage adjustable dampers linked diagonally by hydraulic circuits and a central valve.

Bringing the Audi RS 6 Avant to a halt are large ventilated and drilled discs: 420 mm at the front and 370 mm at the rear. More demanding buyers can opt for ceramic discs, which are even larger at the front at 440 mm. At the rear, they retain the 370 mm diameter of the steel discs. Besides offering greater fade resistance, the ceramic discs also cut unsprung mass by an impressive 34 kg.

What else does it offer?

Just look at it… It is as though an ordinary Audi A6 Avant had taken up bodybuilding. Apart from the front doors, roof and tailgate, every other body panel is new, all to underline its muscular appearance. It is 56 mm longer, an impressive 65 mm wider, and also 20 mm lower than the other A6 Avant models.

It is a difficult combination to resist: beyond the performance on offer and its aggressive appearance, it remains an estate car fully capable of carrying out its family duties. Its appeal is immense, a trait shared by every other RS Avant, beginning with the RS2 Avant launched a quarter of a century ago.

Standard equipment

These are the principal items of standard equipment on the new Audi RS 6 Avant:

• Interior movement alarm
• Four-zone automatic climate control
• Audi connect emergency and service and connect Navigation & Infotainment
• Audi smartphone interface
• Audi virtual cockpit
• Electrically adjustable S sport front seats, with driver memory
• Matt aluminium roof rails
• Electrically adjustable steering column for reach and rake
• Alcantara/leather upholstery with RS logo
• LED headlights
• Race Aluminium decorative inlays
• 21-inch 10-spoke star alloy wheels and 275/35 R21 tyres
• MMI navigation plus with 10.1-inch central display and touch response
• Matt Aluminium Exterior package
• Heated, folding exterior mirrors with memory and automatic anti-dazzle function
• Front and rear parking sensors
• RS adaptive air suspension
• Flat-bottomed leather multifunction sports steering wheel with paddles

How much does it cost?

The new Audi RS 6 Avant is already on sale in Portugal, with prices starting from €163,688.

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