The Audi RS6 Avant retains the character and legacy of its predecessors, while offering refreshed styling and technology making it more efficient, more attractive and more sophisticated than ever.
It produces a maximum of 412kW of power, which, in conjunction with the impressive 700Nm of torque, makes for remarkable performance. Its acceleration from 0 to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds is on a par with a super sports car. Thanks in no small part to the 8-speed tiptronic with its barely perceptible, yet rapid gearshifts and the standard quattro drivetrain which uses a centre differential with a higher locking rate.
Audi cylinder on demand technology in the 4.0-litre V8 TFSI engine also ensures relatively low fuel consumption figure of just 9.8 litres/100km and an emissions figure of 223 grams/km. Top speed with the optional dynamic package plus is 305km/h.
The core component of the quattro drivetrain is the self-locking centre differential. The basic configuration of the purely mechanical planetary gear set splits the drive torque asymmetrically between the front and rear axle to promote dynamic handling. Together with wheel-selective torque control, this allows the drive force to be distributed individually to each wheel as the driving situation dictates.
The standard quattro sport differential enables the vehicle to turn into corners even more spontaneously and directly. The continuously variable distribution of the drive torque between the rear wheels leads to a tangible increase in driving pleasure.
Adding to the handling dynamics, the standard RS adaptive air suspension combines air suspension with a continuously variable damper system. As it is linked into the Audi drive select feature, the suspension can be customised across a range of characteristics.
Benefits of this include a continuously adaptive damping system at all four wheels which automatically adapts to every driving situation in milliseconds, damper control and ground clearance is adjusted depending on which Audi drive select mode is chosen and the body is kept level at all times, even if unevenly loaded, thanks to permanent self-levelling. The RS sport suspension plus with dynamic ride control is also offered as an option; however, unlike the RS adaptive air suspension, steel coil springs are used which leads to a firmer ride.
The design of the Audi RS6 Avant gives no illusion as to its performance abilities. With a significantly wider front and rear track, wider wheel arches and 21-inch wheels, the RS6 Avant is unmistakable. The RS6 is like no other high-performance machine available, and along with its crushing performance, the RS6 can also be hugely practical with a large boot and flexible interior. Being a fully-fledged RS model, the RS6 Avant has wider wheel arches, a RS specific front and rear bumper treatment, twin RS exhaust pipes and brushed-aluminium exterior treatment.
A full list of standard equipment is included offering a superb mix of technology and refinement. The Audi RS 6 Avant is also extremely practical, offering 565 litres of luggage capacity in standard configuration, which increases to a massive 1,680 litres with the rear seats folded down.
Audi side assist, which uses radar sensors to check blindspots when changing lanes, works closely together with Audi active lane assist, which prevents unintended lane changes. The night vision assistant now includes even more functions, with the Audi pre sense basic safety system available as an option. Customers are also able to specify the Audi RS6 Avant with a head-up display system.
The Audi RS6 Avant 4.0T FSI quattro tiptronic will be priced at R 1,465,000, inclusive of VAT and the standard Audi Freeway Plan (5 year/100,000km), which can be extended to 6 years/200,000km.
