Audi RS 6 GTO: a tribute to the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO

The remarkable Audi RS 6 GTO pictured here was created by a group of apprentices at Audi’s Neckarsulm factory, under the guidance of Audi Design Director Marc Lichte. As you might expect, it is not destined for the production line.

As its name suggests, the RS 6 GTO is derived from the already visually muscular RS 6 Avant. No further technical specifications accompanied the images, so we can assume that its new bodywork conceals the same figures as the production model: 600 hp and 800 Nm from a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, with power sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox and quattro all-wheel drive.

Audi RS 6 GTO pays tribute to the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO

The flamboyant styling of this RS 6 GTO honours a circuit-racing monster: the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO, which competed in the championship of the same name in 1989 and delivered devastating results… for its rivals.

Although it did not contest every round of the season, the 90 quattro IMSA GTO was a dominant force and helped Audi secure second place in that year’s championship. It is a car that Razão Automóvel has previously explored in greater detail. Remember those words:

Race-inspired exterior and stripped-back cabin

Returning to the RS 6 GTO, its connection with the 90 quattro IMSA GTO is plain to see. It begins with the exterior livery and the enormous white wheel covers, then continues through the substantial red rear spoiler and side-exit exhausts, à la the 90 quattro - could they be functional? The already aggressively styled front end of the RS 6 Avant has become even more menacing, with the Singleframe grille and lower air intakes appearing almost to merge into one.

Inside, forget about carrying the family and the cat - there is room only for the driver and one passenger, both held in place by bucket seats. The rear seats have been removed, replaced by a substantial roll cage that extends through the cabin.

A quattro anniversary creation

As mentioned at the outset, this wild creation is not expected to lead to any form of limited edition, although Audi will unveil the RS 6 GTO publicly at a forthcoming event.

Following the Audi TT RS 40 years of quattro - a special edition available only in Germany - the RS 6 GTO is the second model to appear as part of Audi’s 40th anniversary celebrations for quattro. Having seen this RS 6 GTO, we hope it also chooses to pay tribute to the quattro that intimidates us all: the Audi Sport Quattro S1.