Audi RS 6 Avant arrives in October priced from $225,000

The all-new Audi RS 6 Avant has launched in Australia. As the name suggests, the latest RS 6 is available only in Avant-body style, with a practical 1,680 litres boot space, and joins the Audi RS 4 Avant as one of the company’s most aspirational products. It is also the most powerful model built by Audi.

The first customer arrivals will take place in October, priced from $225,000 plus on road costs.

“The Audi RS 6 Avant is unique in the Australian performance market. Offering phenomenal acceleration and dynamics, along with real-world versatility, the RS 6 Avant really is in a class of its own,” said Audi Australia’s Managing Director Andrew Doyle.

“The first customer cars will arrive in October however we already have a strong order bank, demonstrating that the RS 6 Avant’s status as the ultimate ‘everyday’ sports car is more relevant than ever to Australian luxury performance buyers.”

Motivated by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine that generates 412kW of power and 700Nm of torque between 1,750 – 5,500rpm, the RS 6 Avant takes just 3.9 seconds to complete the 0-100km/h dash. Top speed is rated at 305km/h.

Despite its scintillating performance, the RS 6 consumes just 9.8L/100km – a 30 per cent improvement over the outgoing model. This is partly due to the efficient cylinder on demand (COD) system – a first in any RS model – which temporarily switches off four cylinders during part-load operation. Active engine mounts apply targeted counter pulses to smooth out the minor vibrations that occur during these phases.

Power is transferred to the road via an eight-speed tiptronic transmission and Audi’s signature quattro permanent all-wheel drive, which makes use of a centre differential to adjust torque delivery between the front and rear wheels and also a sport differential to actively distribute power between the rear wheels.

The RS ride height is 20mm lower, thanks to an adaptive air suspension. It is managed by the Audi drive select dynamics system, as are the sport differential and optional dynamic steering, which adjusts the steering ratio to the vehicle’s speed. Audi also offers the taut RS Sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) as an alternative to the RS adaptive air suspension for ultimate performance.

As expected of an Audi RS model, the RS 6 Avant comes equipped with an extensive list of standard equipment, including:

• Adaptive air suspension (Sport)
• LED headlights with high-beam assist
• Digital TV reception with DAB plus
• quattro sports differential
• RS sports exhaust
• Head-up display (HUD)
• 21-inch alloy wheels in 5-twin-spoke design
• Audi parking system plus with 360° camera
• Panoramic glass sunroof
• RS front sports seats upholstered in Valcona leather and honeycomb stitching
• Luggage rail system
• Matt aluminium styling package including funnel-shaped lower air intake with quattro logo

In addition to the standard specification, the RS 6 Avant is available with some key packages that allow customers to customise their vehicle. The list of standard equipment includes:

Dynamic Package – $4,900

• RS Sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC)
• Dynamic Steering
• Top speed electronically limited to 280km/h

Dynamic Package plus – $25,840

• Ceramic performance brakes
• RS Sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC)
• Dynamic Steering
• Top speed electronically limited to 305km/h 

Carbon styling package – $8,500

• Radiator grille and frame in high-gloss black
• Funnel-shaped air intake in carbon, with quattro logo in titanium grey
• Roof rails in matte black
• Front sill in carbon
• Rear diffuser insert in carbon
• Front air intake in high-gloss black with diagonal struts in carbon
• Door mirrors matched to body colour

Assistance Package – $10,375

• Night vision assistant that highlights pedestrians
• Audi active lane and side assists with adaptive cruise control incorporating stop & go and pre-sense plus
• Park assist

The previous RS 6 Avant was sold in Australia between late 2008 until 2010. Around 65 units were sold in just over two years.