The Audi RS6 and RS7 (a wagon and liftback sedan, respectively) are insanely quick but extremely comfy vehicles. Consider all of the efficiency of an Audi R8 however the practicality, comfort, and luxury of a household sedan or wagon, making them simply one of the best one-car garages an fanatic may dream of. Each are unbelievable, if costly, vehicles parallel in efficiency; it is only a case of choice in physique fashion. Now think about if Audi determined to make them higher. That is precisely what the German model did, ensuing within the 2024 Audi RS6 efficiency and RS7 efficiency. The ‘efficiency’ nomenclature could also be written in lowercase, per Audi, however there’s nothing lowercase in regards to the updates right here.
Audi Sport placing within the man-hours to push the duo even nearer to perfection with refined updates which might be extremely significant, notably these made underneath the hood: Bigger turbochargers fitted to the 4.0-liter biturbo V8 engine wrangle an additional dose of horsepower and torque, delivering 621 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque… and that is only the start.
Thankfully, Audi introduced each alongside to Northern California for us to drive, so naturally, we hopped behind the wheel of the RS6 for the longest launch stint to take advantage of a photographer’s dream of a shade.
Powertrain: Hits Like A Sledgehammer
Energy is simply the headline for the RS6 and RS7 efficiency fashions. It is put all the way down to the bottom by way of Audi’s signature quattro all-wheel-drive system, now that includes an up to date and lighter mechanical self-locking heart differential and up to date transmission software program for even faster gear shifting. We do not say “even faster gear shifting” calmly, as it isn’t one thing we felt wanted upgrading from the earlier 12 months’s mannequin.
The result’s a 0-60 mph time of three.3 seconds, a totally entertaining 3.3 seconds stuffed with noise and drama. There’s much more noise now as Audi Sport pulled out some sound-deadening materials between the engine bay and cabin. Couple that with an non-obligatory RS sport exhaust that enhances sound much more, and it is a ballistic expertise that stimulates all of the senses. If you happen to can afford an RS6 or RS7, you may afford the RS sport exhaust, and belief us; you need it.
On The Street: Shut To Perfection
It has been greater than a 12 months since your devoted author was final behind the wheel of an RS6 or RS7, however there is not an evening and day distinction between the pre-update and ‘efficiency’ variants, a minimum of on the highway in a real-world state of affairs. We’re positive the updates would turn out to be vastly extra obvious on the monitor, the place you may exploit the vehicles to their fullest.
That does not imply they don’t seem to be completely joyful on a suitably twisty highway, notably when switchbacks are concerned. We spent probably the most time pushing the RS6 round, ingesting in its aggressive strategy to nailing corners after which attacking straights. Corners come at you hilariously quick, made much more humorous while you keep in mind you are driving a wagon that may simply accommodate a household and pile of baggage. It blurs the road between practicality and a supercar in spectacular style with its pace, poise, and cornering means. Nonetheless, there’s one thing extra visceral in regards to the driving expertise than we have skilled in additional than only a few of the present crop of supercars, that are all insanely succesful on the expense of one thing else… pleasure.
Essentially the most noticeable distinction is within the suspension packages. The air suspension setup offers a smoother trip in its extra placid drive settings, whereas the usual suspension is firmer all through. And but it isn’t uncomfortable at any level, even within the sportiest setting.
Design: Minor Updates
Seems to be are subjective, and we subjectively love the styling of each physique kinds and love that Audi has opted for up to date styling that places them proper right here and proper now. After driving the RS6 for some time, we acquired out, stepped again, and checked out it once more, then determined it is the vehicular equal of a UFC fighter in a Zegna swimsuit. For footwear, a set of solid aluminum 21-inch five-Y-spoke star wheels are normal and may be upgraded to 22-inch solid and mill-cut to avoid wasting 11 kilos of unsprung weight on every nook. They’re now wrapped in Continental Sport Contact 7 tires that Audi says provide higher grip on dry and moist roads and assist scale back understeer.
The short approach to establish the refresh is that the RS duo in ‘efficiency’ guise now options matte grey exterior trim, together with the roof rails on the RS6. Two new normal exterior colours can be found: Grenadier Pink metallic and Ascari Blue metallic. The RS6 we drove arrived from Germany in Dew Silver metallic matte. It is a fantastic shade and end, however not on the usual checklist.
Inside: Staying Stylish
The general design and format keep the identical for the 2024 mannequin 12 months, however the ‘RS design bundle plus’ provides grey, pink, and blue shade choices. The blue bundle is the boldest choice, with blue seatbelts and a carbon twill construction inlay with blue stitching on the dashboard. The grey and pink packages have black seatbelts that includes an identical border and the usual carbon twill construction inlay. Whichever you select, the inside is plagued by Alcantara, Dinamica microfiber, color-matched stitching, and Valcona leather-based upholstery.
The usual 12.3-inch Audi digital cockpit plus will get some minor upgrades, together with the selection of switching between black digital dials and white, with the white dials impressed by the legendary 1997 Audi S6 plus. In guide mode, the shift indicator now cycles inexperienced to yellow to pink and blinks like a race automobile when it is time to shift gears.
Verdict: The Final Automobile You will Ever Want
Declaring a automobile as being the final automobile you ever want does not imply it is the final automobile you will ever need. However, if by some weird circumstance, you desire a supercar and have round $130,000 to spend but additionally have a household and solely a one-car storage, then an RS6 is a straightforward automobile to suggest. Having a vast allocation of spots in your storage does not diminish the enchantment of the RS6 and RS7, both, although, as each are cultured cruisers completely fitted to the each day commute and equally as adept as elevating hell on a snaking again highway or your native monitor.
There are some cons to the RS siblings price taking into account. The value of gasoline is probably going solely going to rise, and the RS6 and RS7 drink gasoline like a recently-divorced uncle at a marriage reception. The touch-capacitive infotainment may be irritating to make use of because it wants stress from the fingers. And, if you are going to push the automobile to its limits, you will need the carbon ceramic brakes, that are costly.
On the plus facet, the RS6 is inexpensive than a Panamera GTS Sport Turismo whereas being extra distinctive; neither automobile is obnoxiously styled and will not draw consideration from individuals you do not need noticing you.
Did we point out they’re quick as hell, deal with and grip like supercars, however are additionally as sensible and comfy as your common premium sedan or crossover?
Bronze Version: A Daunting Rearview Mirror Expertise
The RS6 and RS7 are already unique vehicles, however a brand new Bronze Version pushes that additional, with simply 75 RS6 and 50 RS7 fashions being produced on this spec.
If you happen to completely will need to have one thing particular and do not need to run the chance of ever encountering one other automobile like yours within the wild, the particular version comes with Sebring Black crystal impact paint, 22-inch neodymium gold-finished wheels, black painted metal brake calipers, and a Gloss Carbon exterior bundle.
The cabin does not escape with out change, sporting an unique Valcona leather-based bundle and bronze distinction inside stitching together with issues like unique doormats and a Bang & Olufsen Superior sound system. Its limiter is ready for 174 mph on the monitor over the opposite mannequin’s 155 mph.
We are able to inform you from expertise that seeing a Bronze Version looming up within the rearview mirror is one thing to be appreciated.