Station wagons don’t promote properly within the USA, not to mention ones with a beginning worth over $125,000. But, Audi has determined to bless us with one of many all-time greats for fast-car fans with fats wallets. For 2024, the RS6 Avant is just accessible in Efficiency guise, that means that somewhat than the twin-turbo V8 making 591 horsepower, it now makes an nearly comical 621 hp. If that is not a sufficiently big improve, the 2024 Audi RS6 can be lighter than earlier than, whereas nonetheless seating 5 individuals in a cocoon of luxurious supplies and surrounding them with the most recent in Audi expertise. Then, there’s nonetheless loads of cargo house for an extended weekend away or a big canine to be enthusiastic about an upcoming lengthy stroll.
The Audi RS6 Avant’s solely actual competitor within the go-faster wagon house is the Porsche Panamera in Turbo E-Hybrid guise, because the Sport Turismo model shouldn’t be accessible within the US because the 2023 mannequin yr. Regardless of competing on specs and utility, the Avant is the extra trendy and aggressive-looking automobile – the automotive equal of a high-level athlete in a go well with. And we spent every week with it to seek out out if it is really a good suggestion to make a sensible automobile this potent.
Exterior: An Aggressive Go well with
To go along with its muscular haunches and blacked-out grille, the RS6 arrives with 21-inch wheels as normal and is cloaked with broad Continental Sport Contact 7 tires for optimum grip. The improve is to 22-inch wheels that shave an additional eleven kilos of weight, and you’ll see them on our tester within the pictures as a part of the Black Optic Package deal. The bundle additionally consists of black exterior mirror housings, black exterior trim, black Audi rings and a darkish mannequin badge. Additionally fitted to our tester is the $1,000 RS exhaust system.
Look intently on the entrance grille: (ignore the inevitable bug splatter from carving by California’s canyons) You may see all of the pre-sense sensors, parking sensors and cameras, that are a part of the usual expertise and security options. Additionally on our tester are the sensors for the Driver Help Package deal, which is a $2,000 possibility which incorporates:
- Energetic lane steering
- Adaptive cruise help with lane steering
- Intersection help
- Digicam distance sensor
- Audi facet help with exit warning and rear cross-traffic help
- Audi pre-sense rear
Inside: Peak Audi
Contained in the RS6, every part appears premium and feels premium, and it is there for a cause. It has that sports activities automobile really feel however with all of the consolation, performance, and tech you count on in a luxurious spec Audi. That features heated and ventilated entrance seats, four-zone local weather management, and a panoramic sunroof. Non-obligatory options embrace a head-up show, massaging entrance seats, an much more upscale leather-based, and a motion-activated tailgate to get to the 30 cubic ft of cargo house.
That cargo house does not intrude with the legroom within the second row of seating. With sufficient legroom within the again for individuals six ft and over, we discovered it nearly as snug to sit down because the entrance passenger seat. In actual fact, it is refreshing to sit down in a automobile that provides the house and luxury of an SUV with out the peak and weight that impacts efficiency. You might get extra headroom on a Q7 or Q8, however we do not discover it.
Infotainment: Fits You, Sir
Sitting in an RS6, you count on one thing on the flashy facet, on the subject of infotainment. Sure, the ten.1-inch important show is shiny, crisp, and responsive, and the icons are huge and daring, however they lack colour variation and aptitude. There’s a bit color and style, but it surely’s largely practical.
That might be criticism for different vehicles, but it surely really fits the RS6, which is snug and classy, bordering on luxurious, however not seeking to cosset you to the extent that you simply neglect what you are driving – or that you simply’re driving in any respect. Every part you want is there, like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and there is additionally some you probably do not want however do get – like onboard navigation. The RS6 comes with a properly tuned base sound system, however the rich-sounding Bang & Olufsen non-compulsory setup is the winner. As normal, Audi’s premium sound sport is on level.
The 8.6-inch decrease display screen is for the environmental controls, and nonetheless not an amazing answer, though higher than most that wish to keep away from tactile buttons. It is distracting to get your settings proper whereas on the transfer, and that is irritating once you simply wish to flip the temperature up or down a notch.
Beneath The Hood: The Get together Piece
The Audi RS6 Avant is a well-endowed beast of a automobile with its twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 producing a supercar-level 621 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, underpinned by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. Round city, the ability is properly restrained however at all times there and easily delivered by an eight-speed computerized transmission.
Let it off the hook, although, and the RS6 Avant borders on the brutal as its energy supply meets the sheer wealth of grip generated by the quattro all-wheel-drive system and the efficiency tires. Unleash it from a cease, and the entrance lifts, suggesting the drivetrain is barely capable of management the ability, however that is an phantasm. 60 mph comes up in much less time than it took to kind that, (Audi says 3.3 seconds, however we suspect that is constantly, not on noon California roads) and it takes care from the driving force to not open up and end up in jail-time territory.
On The Street: A Superhero In Its Common Garments
Whereas the RS6 Avant has all the trimmings of a efficiency automobile with its big wheels, skinny tires, low stance, and massive air inlets, it’s nonetheless a wagon. And it is simple to neglect that reality when driving it with out a few passengers. With or with out these passengers, it is a consummate cruiser that smooths out the highway whereas carrying as a lot tempo as you want or need. We did not push it there, however we’ll wager it is as snug cruising at 150 mph as it’s at 60 mph with a full load of individuals and baggage. Round city and through commute time, it is relaxed and straightforward to drive, however drop it into Dynamic Mode, and every part tightens up like muscle groups in a lycra shirt.
Push it down a tighter highway, and regardless of its bulk over a supercar, it is supremely agile. Combine that with the surplus of energy at all times on faucet, and the RS6 Avant calls for focus. That focus is helped by the engine’s soundtrack which is sonorous, not obnoxious, providing you with as a lot suggestions because the steering wheel and really feel of the chassis by the seat. The RS6 likes to carve corners with the all-wheel-drive system protecting every part locked tight, however chuck it unceremoniously into a decent highway, and it is incredible for any automobile, not to mention one you’ll be able to load up with youngsters and a canine for a picnic.
Conclusions: A Cross-Nation Street Journey Rocket
To go cross-country on a contemporary grand tour, we’d take the RS6 Avant over nearly any GT automobile in the marketplace. It has the ability, the dealing with, the civility, after which the sheer practicality. You will not must make wherever close to as many choices as you’d in a 2+2 sports activities automobile about what it’s essential to convey and wish to go away behind. It is one of many biggest all-rounders we have skilled. Need to go cross nation in model, consolation, and at an amazing tempo in locations? No downside. Need to load up the children for an extended weekend away? Certain factor. Must do an airport run with baggage and carry-on? Straightforward. Need to go have some enjoyable on a observe day? Get able to be impressed and appear to be a hero, regardless of your capability.
The price of this excellence is not less than $125,800 – that is earlier than choices and vacation spot. Pricing for 2025 has been launched already, placing this lovely bruiser at $126,600, though there are no main modifications to take note of, though the next-gen model will probably go electrical. Getting your arms on this automobile in its present kind is nearly a should – and there is even the limited-run RS6 Avant GT to think about, in the event you’re a real fan.
In essence, the RS6 Avant is an superior three-car storage automobile wrapped up in a single. Simply bear in mind the fuel mileage figures of 14/22/17 mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed solely apply in the event you’re driving it like a standard wagon. You’ll spend a big portion of your time not driving it like a standard wagon. And that is very good.