[Merc1]

CAR Roadtest Video:

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER


Damn this thing is mean. Look at the composure and speed!

M

[Bartek Sikorski]

Successor to the acclaimed V8-powered Audi RS flagship upgrades to ten cylinders, two turbochargers and 580PS

• New RS 6 quattro available first in Avant estate form with saloon to follow in mid-2008
• UK OTR price confirmed at £77,625 OTR - first deliveries in May 2008
• V10 engine is boosted by two turbo chargers, streamlined by FSI direct petrol injection and linked to six-speed tiptronic automatic transmission
• 580PS @ 6,250rpm, 650Nm from 1,500-6,250rpm, 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds, top speed limited to 155mph, 20.1mpg combined
• Latest generation quattro system with 40:60 front-to-rear torque split
• New development of hydraulically controlled Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) system from RS 4 with selectable damper settings
• Sports interior boasting up to 1,660 litres of luggage space

The most powerful production Audi of all time - the new RS 6 quattro Avant - will offer UK Audi customers a remarkable combination of 1,660 litres of load-engulfing space and 580PS-worth of blistering V10-fuelled performance when it becomes available next month priced at £77,625 OTR.

Deliveries of the new biturbo, ten-cylinder super Avant - the eagerly awaited successor to the revered original RS 6 quattro of 2002 - will begin in May, and the first year allocation of 380 examples has already been accounted for by customers who have formally registered their interest in the car with Audi Centres.

At the heart of the latest RS flagship is a heavily modified, 5.0-litre version of the exceptionally compact, naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 FSI petrol engine powering the 435PS S6 quattro. Two turbo chargers and extensive component refinements boost the output of this acclaimed unit to 580PS at 6,250rpm, and increase torque from 540Nm to 650Nm, available from just 1,500rpm right through to 6,250rpm.

As a result, the RS 6 quattro with optimised six-speed tiptronic automatic transmission can blast to 62mph from rest in 4.6 seconds and to 124mph in just 14.9 seconds, only relenting when the electronic governor cuts in at 155mph.

Yet despite the considerable exertions of its two newly adopted turbo chargers, the mighty V10 nevertheless retains surprisingly ‘real world’ fuel economy, with up to 20.1mpg possible on the combined cycle, only slightly behind the naturally aspirated V10 powering the S6 quattro. FSI direct petrol injection - which minimises the amount of fuel used in each combustion cycle through injection directly into the combustion chamber rather than via the intake manifold - can be thanked for this impressive efficiency.



Latest generation quattro and Dynamic Ride Control
To reach the tarmac via the suitably imposing 20-inch alloy wheels fitted as standard to UK RS 6 models, the barrage of power passes through the latest generation quattro four-wheel-drive system with standard 40:60 front-to-rear torque split, ensuring that it translates seamlessly into smooth, safely contained and uninterrupted performance. The feeling of unflappable composure is emphasised further by a new version of the Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) system that won plenty of praise in the original RS 6 quattro and has since been used in the RS 4 quattro.

DRC connects shock absorbers on each side of the car diagonally to their counterparts by way of a central valve, which directs a flow of oil to provide additional damping force whenever a shock absorber is compressed, making for impressive gains in handling precision and stability. New to this latest RS 6 quattro is a three-stage selectable control for this system, which will be fitted as standard to UK versions and allows the driver to choose from three damper settings - comfort, dynamic and sport – according to preference and conditions

Also overseeing proceedings in the most powerful Audi in the range is a specially reconfigured version of the Electronic Stability Programme which has been programmed to intervene as late as possible, maximising driving pleasure without compromising ultimate safety. If required, the ESP system can be completely deactivated.

The most crucial safety feature, namely the ventilated all-disc braking system, is of course more than up to the task of reining in this most extreme of Audi Avants, and an upgrade to ultra high performance ceramic brakes with even more exceptional performance and fade resistance will also be available at extra cost.

The incredibly assured handling this advanced set-up permits can be enjoyed from the comfort and support of the cabin’s sculpted and ultra-grippy leather and alcantara-upholstered RS sports seats, the driver’s positioned perfectly in relation to the flat-bottomed RS sports steering wheel with multifunction controls and transmission shift paddles. Additional RS features in the much praised interior also include boost pressure and oil temperature readouts, milled finish door handles and aluminium-look pedals. The familiar A6 Avant virtues, not least its potential 1,660-litre load capacity, are of course very much in evidence.

The new Audi RS 6 quattro Avant - Standard Specification February 200Wheels, Tyres and Suspension
• 9.5Jx20 '5-segment-spoke' design alloy wheels with 275/35R20 tyres
• Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) sports suspension system with 3 level control
• High performance braking system
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
• RS specific quattro sports chassis

Safety and Security
• Audi Parking System Plus with front and rear sensors
• Front and rear ISOFIX seats with front passenger airbag de-activation switch
• Front and rear side airbags with Sideguard curtain airbags
• Electromechanical parking brake
• Cruise control
• Light and rain sensor for automatic activation of lights and windscreen wipers

Seats
• Front and rear seat heating
• Satin Nappa leather with contrast stitching and RS embossing
• RS specific front sports seats, electrically adjustable, driver's side with memory
• Electric lumbar support
• Through load facility

Audio and Communication
• Audi Music Interface (AMI)
• Bluetooth mobile phone connection
• BOSE surround sound
• 6 disc CD changer - .mp3 and .wma file compatible
• MMI Multi Media Interface with 7" high resolution screen
• DVD Navigation with TMC functionality
• DAB digital radio

Interior Equipment
• Front and rear floor mats
• Instrument surround in high-gloss Piano Black finish
• Carbon inlays
• Interior lighting package
• Auto dimming interior mirror
• RS flat bottom multi-function steering wheel with gearshift paddles
• Drivers Information System (DIS) in colour
• Luggage compartment net
• Headlining in black cloth

Exterior Equipment
• Rear lights using LED technology
• Adaptive Light including Xenon headlights and LED daytime-driving lights
• Coming home and leaving home lighting function selectable through MMI
• Auto dimming, heated, folding door mirrors with memory function
• Paint finish in metallic or pearl effect
• Twin oval exhausts
• Matt finish aluminium wing mirror housings, roof rails, window trims and grille
• Automatically actuated electric tailgate
- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

[Monster]

People are already talking about the RS 6 plus version

Audi RS 6 Avant Plus Set to Return
The Audi RS 6 Avant may be at the forefront of the horsepower race with BMW and Mercedes, but so far none have been delivered yet. Market launch is expected to take place this summer and already rumors have popped up talking of a new RS 6 Avant Plus model.

The previous generation Audi RS 6 Avant also had a Plus version at the end of its production (April – October 2004) which provided customers with an additional 30 hp (480 hp instead of 450 hp) through a remapped ECU and additional radiators, 19 inch wheels instead of 18 inch and a sports suspensions lowering the car by another 10 mm. Only 999 units found their way to dealerships.

Dutch AutoTelegraaf now claims that, according to insiders, the current RS 6 Avant will also come in a Plus guise but not until the end of its life cycle, probably sometime in 2011. The current A6 model is about to receive a facelift and will not be replaced by an all new model until at least 2011, if not later. The new RS 6 Avant Plus would be able to boast 613 hp from its V10 engine (580 hp in the regular RS 6 Avant).

Audi RS 6 Avant Plus Set to Return

Power war over ? Unlikely, AMG will probably match or better that with their twin turbo V8.

[Centurion]

Yawn.

[Tumbo]

Originally Posted by Centurion

Yawn.

You are yawning about 613 horsepower...?

[Tycoon]

Originally Posted by Centurion

Yawn.

[Centurion]

Originally Posted by Tumbo

You are yawning about 613 horsepower...?

The car is already dead heavy and adding additional radiators and such won't make the car any more desirable, especially when the new A6 will be launching at around the same period.

[Sunny]

Yeah, instead they should gut it and make a lighter clubsport version.

[rev]

Originally Posted by Sunny

Yeah, instead they should gut it and make a lighter clubsport version.

+1

[SDNR]

Originally Posted by Centurion

The car is already dead heavy and adding additional radiators and such won't make the car any more desirable, especially when the new A6 will be launching at around the same period.

It's still totally awesome though. The Avant is particularly sexy