2020 Audi RS 6 Avant steps up in performance and efficiency

The new 2020 Audi RS 6 Avant has been officially unveiled today, bringing even more power and higher performance thanks to a mild hybrid system.

Base on the A6 Avant but looking distinctively different, the RS 6 sports unique RS-specific exterior body panels with the exception of the front doors, roof and tailgate. The body, which has been widened around 40 millimetres on each side with its broad flared wheel arches, emphasises the sports wagon’s high performance quattro all-wheel drive system. The 22-inch wheels further accentuate the striking proportions.

Unlike the models before it, the new design loses the Audi Singleframe surround and the quattro logo in the front bumper for a cleaner look.

The rear is all familiar though. In hallmark RS style, the RS exhaust system flows on both sides into oval chrome-colored tailpipes – an RS sport exhaust system with black tailpipes is available as an option.

The new 4.0 twin-turbo V8 petrol engine in the new Audi RS 6 Avant delivers a potent 441kW of power and 800Nm of torque, the latter sustained between 2,100 and 4,500rpm.

The standard eight-speed automatic transmission and a new Launch Control function transmits the power of the 4.0 TFSI V8 to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive. The drive are distributed to the front and rear axle in a ratio of 40:60 via the all-mechanical centre differential. If one wheel slips, more drive torque automatically goes to the axle with the better traction. Up to 70 percent can flow to the front wheels and up to 85 percent to the rear wheels.

In just 3.6 seconds the high-performance station wagon sprints from zero to 100km/h and in 12 seconds reaches 200km/h. Top speed is electronically governed at 250km/h. With the optional dynamic package, the RS station wagon does up to 280km/h or even up to 305km/h with the dynamic package plus.

Improved efficiency comes in the form of a 48 volt mild hybrid system than can recover up to 12kW of power during light deceleration and store it in a separate lithium-ion battery. Depending on the driving situation the new RS 6 Avant can also coasts up to 40 seconds with the engine switched off to further improve efficiency.

The RS 6 also features a cylinder on demand (COD) system which, at low to intermediate load and speed, can deactivate half the cylinders to run in four-cylinder mode.

With the fuel-saving techs, Audi claims a fuel savings of up to 0.8 litres per 100 kilometres are possible in everyday driving.

The new RS 6 Avant is roomier inside than the previous model. The luggage compartment has a capacity of between 565 litres, expandable to 1680 litres with the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat folded.

A power tailgate and luggage compartment cover are standard. In combination with the optional convenience key, sensor control allows the tailgate to be opened with a foot gesture. The optional swiveling trailer towing hitch features an electric release function. Also available as an option is the camera-based trailer assist, which helps the driver when reversing and manoeuvring with a trailer.

The new Audi RS 6 Avant is expected to arrive in Australia in mid-2020. Pricing and specification will be announced closer to launch.