Very imposing, sitting quietly in the airport car park, the Audi RS6 Avant really has presence … but only to those who know what they are looking at.
Personally I love large load luggers that have supercar credentials. My S8 had a huge boot that could hold a playing field, but I really like the idea of estate cars that have blistering pace. I also like the idea of being able to park the supercar in a normal car park and not worrying about somebody deciding it needed extra key scrapes along the side – fast Audis always tend to be understated, and this RS6 is no different.

The body shell is almost the same as the standard A6 variant, albeit with different aerodynamic aids to help keep this rocket ship grounded. The front bumper gains a splitter with the bad boy word … QUATTRO … stamped prominently, just in case you have time to see it as it looms large in the mirror. The Pirelli P zero tyres run 20 inches around, with a profile of 275/35. Hmm … expensive!
Highlights
Launched in December 2012 – this would have been a really nice Christmas present!! – the C7 variant of my favourite flavour of Audi is powered by a 4.0L twin turbo V8, punching out 553 bhp that propels this machine to 250km/h (electronically limited!), or you can actually have a Performance version that gives you just under 600bhp and a terminal velocity of 305km/h … just in case you found the standard offering lacking in performance.

For those of us worried about fuel economy, there is Stop/Start and a cylinder on demand system. An 8 speed tiptronic transmission allows the driver to cover ground at an alarming rate, or just burble along happily in traffic.
Audi RS6 (C7) – Vital Statistics
Power | 412 kW (553 bhp) @ 5700rpm | |
Torque | 700 Nm (516 lb/ft) @ 2000rpm | |
0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) | 3.9 seconds | |
Maximum speed | 250 km/h (155 mph) | |
Fuel consumption (average) | 10.0 l/100km (28 mpg) | |
Fuel type, tank capacity | Petrol, 75 litres | |
Weight | 1935 kg | |
**** | **** | |
Engine | CRDB, DOHC, Stop/Start, Cylinder on Demand, Two Twin-scroll turbochargers mounted in inner ‘V’ angle with relative pressure of 1.2 bar Variable intake and exhaust camshaft timing Active engine mounts | |
Displacement | 3993 cc | |
Cylinders and valves | V8, 32v | |
Transmission | 8 speed automatic (ZF ECY) | |
Drivetrain | All wheel drive |