Overview
IT ISN’T daily you get the chance to hustle a quarter-million-dollar efficiency automobile round Australia’s quickest racetrack. However with extra energy and torque – and even sooner acceleration – than ever earlier than, there merely aren’t too many locations to stretch the legs of Audi’s most powerful-ever V8 mannequin.
The RS6 Avant efficiency, which arrives alongside the svelte RS7 Sportback efficiency this month, is a extra energetic, dynamically sharper, and sooner tackle a recipe Audi has perfected over a number of many years.
The most recent flagship duo is priced from $241,500 and $248,500 respectively, plus on-road prices, railing it near the Mercedes-AMG E 63 and BMW M5 when it comes to direct competitors. It’s an eye-watering price ticket, little question. However one which buys formidable efficiency, stellar engineering, and a very luxurious stage of trim and tech.
Put merely, Audi has turned up the wick on the RS6 Avant efficiency and RS7 Sportback efficiency twins, growing turbocharger increase strain (up from 2.4 to 2.6 bar) within the twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine to now supply 463kW of energy (+22kW) and 850Nm (+50Nm).
The extra output leads to a 0-100km/h dash now 0.2 seconds faster than earlier than, Audi quoting a 3.4-second time for each physique kinds. High velocity is electronically capped to 280km/h.
Energy continues to be put to all 4 wheels by way of Audi’s quattro everlasting all-wheel drive system (which may now ship as much as 85 per cent of drive to the rear or 70 per cent to the entrance) with a now extra compact self-locking centre differential and torque converter eight-speed automated transmission, the latter with revised software program to allow even sooner shift instances.
Audi’s drive choose dynamic dealing with system now permits the driving force to regulate the automobiles’ character by means of 4 pre-set and two customisable profiles.
With idle-stop, cylinder-on-demand, and 48-volt gentle hybrid know-how the 4.0 TFSI engine can also be extra economical than earlier than, consuming 11.8 litres per 100km (with CO2 emissions of 269 grams per kilometre). Perhaps on the best stretch of freeway… however definitely not on the observe.
Dynamic all-wheel steering with RS-specific tuning, RS adaptive air suspension, elective Dynamic Trip Management and a few of the largest brakes ever fitted to an Audi are all tucked beneath that fashionable physique.
Stopping duties fall to Audi’s RS excessive efficiency braking system with purple painted callipers, the 10-pot stoppers clasping 420mm metal rotors in commonplace kind, and out there with 440mm ceramic discs as commonplace, shaving a whopping 34kg of unsprung mass.
For RS fans, the efficiency duo is ready to get pulses racing with even higher give attention to sensory suggestions. Lowered sound insulation ranges promise higher mechanical theatre than earlier than, whereas concurrently permitting higher enjoyment from the game exhaust system.
As was the case with the forerunners to the RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback, the efficiency fashions are extremely specified with in depth look, amenity, consolation, infotainment, and security inclusions.
Visually, the RS6 Avant efficiency and RS7 Sportback efficiency are recognized by a particular wheel and tyre package deal with gloss silver and black metallic 22-inch 5-Y-spoke solid and milled alloy wheels, every 5kg lighter than these of the common mannequin.
The brand new wheels are shod with Continental Sport Contact 7 rubber in a 285/30 profile Audi says, “equals or exceeds the earlier tyres’ capabilities”.
Matt gray exterior, matt aluminium or matt carbon black exterior parts can be found optionally, every altering the look of the entrance spoiler, entrance facet flaps, facet sill inserts, rear diffuser insert, trim strips on the facet home windows, wing mirror caps, roof rails (Avant solely), Audi rings and exterior badging.
Audi will additional supply matt impact paint end (value possibility) for the primary time, alongside a brand new Ascari Blue end out there in metallic or matt.
Inside, the addition of a blue RS design package deal – becoming a member of gray and purple – be a part of sport seats in Valcona leather-based upholstery with three-stage heating and air flow (entrance) and RS efficiency welcome lighting. A 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D premium audio system with 1820-watt output is additional out there.
The efficiency duo is obtainable with Audi’s common guarantee and roadside help program, in addition to five-year service plans, and an extendable manufacturing facility guarantee providing protection for as much as 9 years. Audi homeowners additionally obtain complementary membership throughout the guarantee interval to Audi Expertise experiences and occasions.
Driving Impressions
It nearly defies logic {that a} 2100kg station wagon must be this participating on observe, however these incremental adjustments made by the boffins at Ingolstadt have sharpened what was already some of the potent household vehicles on the planet right into a physics-defying weapon of sheer and utter lunacy.
After all, we imply that in a great way; for there are only a few phrases to explain simply how fast and succesful the RS6 Avant efficiency is with out dropping the F-bomb.
Mash the throttle, clear the pit exit, and shoot for Phillip Island Circuit’s stupid-fast flip one and it’s instantly apparent we’re strapped into one thing particular – and one thing we bond with straightaway.
There aren’t too many vehicles you will get in and drive quick with no trace of trepidation. Will it chunk? Is there sufficient grip on the front-end? Will it oversteer if I’m too keen on the throttle?
With the ability to really feel and perceive a automobile shortly is essential once you solely have a number of laps to kind an opinion – and luckily for us the RS6 Avant efficiency speaks ‘quick’ very effectively.
The way in which the RS6 Avant efficiency sails by means of Doohan earlier than settling for the advanced, twin apex Southern Loop exhibits simply how effectively suited the lively diff and sticky tyres are to this form of driving. You are feeling the whole lot, immediately. The shift within the physique as its mass is shortly curtailed, the grip from left to proper – and entrance to rear – and the granular response by means of the tiller. Since when do household vehicles drive this effectively?
Feed on the throttle by means of Stoner and line your sights on Miller (previously Honda) and your head tells you, “that is the place issues get taily”. However the RS6 Avant efficiency controls its pitch impeccably, permitting you to arrange for after which shoot out of flip 4 faster than appears fathomable.
With the ability to hold the automobile planted right here permits a tighter line – and sooner exit – from Siberia than must be potential. The car is supercar tidy by means of right here, permitting an exacting line that makes use of each inch of the observe for a rocket ship trip as much as the Hay Shed.
Merely, I can’t consider too many vehicles that permit such accuracy by means of right here. What appears to be like like an unchallenging part of observe is, partially as a result of its near-level crown, a spot the place steadiness is essential, a lift-and-dab strategy typically wanted to readjust and resettle the nostril for the quick strategy into Lukey Heights.
Onerous on the throttle, the short upshifts of the ZF eight-speed auto really feel much less aggressive than you’d anticipate, however nonetheless lighting quick – and the soundtrack, wow! It feels and sounds as if we may pile on velocity for one more kilometre or extra, however ‘Lukey’ is a bend that instructions respect, and it’s approaching quick.
It’s time to brush off velocity, and let the hill do the remainder. Utilizing the friction of the Conti rubber and metering the throttle the RS6 Avant efficiency lunges throughout Lukey, sustaining poise throughout all 4 wheels on what is among the hardest braking factors of the circuit – MG.
The parallel streaks of rubber heading off into the sand present how straightforward it’s to stuff it up right here, or to spin and face the opposite course as weight shifts ahead downhill. We’ll have none of that in the present day…
Like the feeling felt at Miller, the RS6 stays flatter than anticipated, permitting a brisk transition onto the throttle and a straightforward shift of torque to the rear wheels for the push into 11 and 12. This lengthy, quick arc can have harmful penalties should you run out of grip – or expertise – requiring a holding of nerves, and of throttle, earlier than mashing it to the carpet as you move the flag level.
As soon as extra, the undersquare vee-eight takes its probability to run for the horizon. Down the chute previous the primary bridge, then the beginning line, and cresting the hill to do all of it once more…. It took lots much less time to complete that lap than it did so that you can learn this, imagine us.
What we learnt right here is that the free-revving energy delivered up entrance is strategically matched by a driveline and chassis that harnesses each joule of power it may to the highway. Mixing quatto all-wheel drive with razor sharp four-wheel steering, a super-responsive rear diff and precisely metered suspension makes even common drivers look good.
The tactility and tenacity of the RS6 Avant efficiency would possibly come at a value, however we will’t consider too many automobiles that provide this a lot efficiency with room for 5 and the canine. Take that second mortgage or promote a kidney, you’ll thank us once you do. Simply ensure you don’t try to discover the car’s limits anyplace however the observe.
