Supercar clutches in manual gearbox equipped cars have to fulfill a different set of design criteria compared to fast luxury saloons and estates. They're designed to achieve a reasonable balance between the amount of driver exertion needed to push the clutch in and longevity. It's not uncommon to hear of supercars requiring a clutch change as often as every 30 000 km. If the clutch is intended to last longer then the clutch weight becomes uncomfortably heavy (anyone here ever driven a 964 Turbo?). Or the solution required is very expensive, a la CGT twin-plate clutch, and fussy to use. Quite inappropriate for a luxury sporty car.

A torque convertor automatic remains the - ahem - automatic choice for everyday useability, longevity, shift quality and mechanical robustness. Look at the vast majority of non-supercar typed vehicles* pushing out 600 Nm plus; they're all fitted with a torque convertor auto. Dual Clutch technology is on the verge of being able to handle this amount of torque but we haven't seen it in mass production yet. It remains the exclusive preserve of the Veyron. For now, the torque convertor is the most economically viable, durable, proven and appropriate solution for such cars in my opinion.

* Examples of which come from many manufacturers: Porsche's Cayenne Turbo, BMW X6 xDrive50i, Merc 63 AMGs, Audi RS6 and so on... a notable exception is that of the CTS-V which I'm intrigued to see what it will be like in urban driving conditions.

In Detail: Audi RS 6 Sedan


Success through Dynamism
426 kW (580 hp) and 650 Nm (479.42 lb-ft) torque, acceleration from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.5 seconds and an optional top speed of 280 km/h (173.98 mph): the new Audi RS 6 Sedan has launched itself to the very top of the business class – as the most powerful series-production sedan in its segment. The sporty tiptronic transmission and the quattro all-wheel drive system, which has a slightly rear-driven emphasis, transfer the immense power onto the road with no loss. Uncompromising performance is also provided by the suspension with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) damper control and the mighty brakes. Like all RS models from quattro GmbH, the new RS 6 is a car of supreme dynamism that makes no compromise in its qualities for everyday use.

The new Audi RS 6 – performance that fascinates
The dynamic success story continues. Following the RS 6 Avant, quattro GmbH is now presenting the RS 6 as a sedan. With its fascinating performance and breathtaking dynamism, the new RS 6 is in a league of its own – it is the world's most powerful sedan. With twin turbochargers and direct injection, 426 kW (580 hp) of output and 650 Nm (479.42 lb-ft) of torque, the V10 engine stands head and shoulders above the competition. And at the same time, the new RS 6 offers all the comfort of the large business model series from Audi.

Driving like a high-performance sports car, the new Audi RS 6 cuts a truly awesome image. Its V10 biturbo engine powers it from zero to 100 km/h(62.14 mph) in just 4.5 seconds. On request, Audi can increase the electronically limited top speed from 250 to 280 km/h (155.34 to 173.98 mph). The six-speed tiptronic transmission in the new RS 6 is a member of Audi's new generation of sporty automatic transmissions. These feed the enormous power onto a quattro drive system, which is configured to transmit slightly more power to the rear axle so that it too responds with great dynamism.

A powerful partner: the sports suspension
The sports suspension handles the power of the V10 FSI superbly. A fluid-mechanical system with the designation Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) controls the work of the shock absorbers. On request, Audi is able to fit the sports suspension plus, which allows the driver to adjust the damping characteristics in three levels using the MMI operating and multimedia system. Powerful lightweight aluminum wheels with a 19-inch diameter are standard. 20-inch wheels are available as an option. Behind them, mighty wheel brakes are fitted. Alternatively, the new RS 6 can also be braked with ceramic brake disks.

Like all Audi RS models, which are jointly developed and built by quattro GmbH and AUDI AG, the new RS 6 is impressive for its powerful characteristics – uncompromising sportiness, a dynamic and elegant design, great individuality in its equipment and superb quality. The new Audi RS 6 Sedan will be on the market in Germany from mid-October. Prices start at 105,550 euros.

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We've already had some seat time behind the wheel of the new Audi RS 6, but seeing it again under the lights of the Paris auto show stage reminded us of just how tough the new four-door looks. It didn't hurt that this particular example had what Audi calls the "black optical pack," an option that replaces all the chrome on the car with flat black trim.

Would a Cadillac CTS-V look as good with a similar package? Yes.

Will we ever find out? No. -- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line


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M

^ Wow thats one good looking car

Wow..tha'ts a mean machine...!!!
I really can't wait for a test between this and the M5.

Due all the critics the RS6 has got so far, I bow down to this car!!!!

The new back looks good on it Those new backligts look great from the side..very narrow.

At first I thought red would make the car look a bit cocky. But now I'm convinced - it looks great - specially with the black grille.

Each to their own but I disagree entirely. Black Optics makes the car look like someone forgot to fit the trim at the factory, and those grey wheels just look like no-one's washed them for weeks. The Sprint Blue one at the previous show looked much better with the proper trim and wheels.