The new Audi RS 6 Avant Performance continues to set the pace in the high-performance wagon segment even as rivals adopt hybrid assistance to achieve higher output figures — which come at the expense of weight.
Maintaining a more focused approach favored by purists, the RS 6 Avant Performance pairs an internal combustion engine with Audi’s renowned quattro all-wheel-drive system. The combination delivers remarkable pace and handling, thanks to turbocharged power maximized by superior traction.
Powering the RS 6 Avant Performance is a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that delivers 630 hp and 850 Nm of torque. This marks an increase of 30 horsepower and 50 Nm over the already potent RS 6 Avant, thanks to revised turbochargers supplying higher boost pressure.
Sending the power to the quattro all-wheel drive system is an 8-speed tiptronic transmission. The combination allows the RS 6 Avant Performance to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds.
The quattro’s mechanical center differential enhances agility by distributing power between the front and rear axles. It is capable of transferring up to 70% power to the front and as much as 85% to the rear. This ensures maximum traction and sharper cornering performance regardless of road condition.
Despite the additional power, the RS 6 Avant Performance keeps its weight in check. Less insulation not only sheds eight kilograms of extra mass, but also produces a more thrilling soundtrack in the cabin.
New lightweight 22-inch forged wheels fitted with high-performance tires further reduce weight while also improving grip.
Plus, the revised tuning of the model’s RS adaptive air suspension system can instantaneously adjust damping levels according to the road surface and the driving mode selected.
All of these enhance both straight-line speed and agility around corners, making the RS 6 Avant Performance markedly more dynamic than its competitors.
In the cabin, the RS 6 Avant Performance combines functional elements with premium materials. RS-specific digital displays, Valcona leather sport seats, and carbon-fiber trim result in a motorsport-derived environment. The Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system and MMI touch response interface provide an immersive experience.
Audi’s virtual cockpit plus in the RS 6 Avant Performance now features a dedicated Performance Mode display. This shows the driver relevant high-performance driving information like torque output, tire pressure, and g-forces in real time.
Despite its supercar capabilities, the RS 6 Avant Performance is a practical daily driver with an expansive cargo space and comfortable seating for passengers — a characteristic faithful to Audi’s rich heritage of producing high-performance station wagons that can be traced to the legendary RS 2 Avant of the 1990s.
