Audi recently released the new RS6 Avant in South Africa.
This company has made some questionable design decisions over the years, but if there is one thing I cannot fault them on it’s their Avant cars.
This brute will make something come alive inside of anyone that looks at it, and the new model builds on the insanity that this lineage of sports estates is so well known for.
Menacing
The look of the RS6 Avant is menacing.
The gigantic, honeycomb mouth; the overly aggressive side vents; the broad and flat LED lights; and the low stance create perfection.
A power-domed bonnet, 22-inch 5-V spoke wheels, and a stepped rear bumper only add to the intimidating aesthetic, while an RS sill encompasses the body and extends its hips by around 40mm when compared to the standard A6.
From the factory, the sports estate is treated to the matte aluminium styling package, which sees the front spoiler, side flaps, sill inlays, window trims, rear diffuser, and exterior mirror housings finished in colour.
The look can then be enhanced by swapping these parts for gloss black or carbon bits – at an extra fee – and, if I was a betting man, I would say that most customers will jump at this opportunity.
Everything you need and then some
Audi stated that they followed a “stripped down look with sport accents” for this car’s interior.
As such, there are very few analogue buttons; broad, flat surfaces covered in high-quality materials; and a stylish terrace dash that provides space for the air-con vents.
It also gets Valcona leather seats with a pattern matching that of the grille, four-zone climate control, and ambient lighting.
The latest-generation MMI infotainment system sits flush with the gloss black panels it is fitted to – a design tip that other automakers can benefit from.
The sizeable main display covers everything from navigation to smartphone mirroring, as well as the feed from the round-view camera.
This is in addition to RS-exclusive figures such as system temperature, g-force, and tyre pressure monitoring.
Below this is the display for the air-con, which also handles seat heating and ventilation functions, and behind the steering wheel sits the Audi virtual cockpit.
This display comprises the digital instrument cluster.
It is personalisable with the RS Performance and Sport layout options, it minimises distractions for performance-focused driving, and provides critical track data for days when it is needed.
The “sport accents” are then provided through a flat-bottom RS steering wheel, along with large paddle shifters and red contrast stitching.
The long body provides some practicality, too, as a maximum of 1,680 litres of cargo can be put into the RS6 Avant.
Safety and security systems make up a big part of the RS6 brochure, and these are all too welcome in a car that can reach 250km/h without breaking a sweat.
Audi pre-sense basic is fitted as standard, and consists of an array of systems that picks up when there is a “critical driving state”.
If a sticky situation arises – for example: when hard braking or tyre skidding is detected – the car will take preventative measures such as tightening the seatbelts, closing all windows, and turning on the hazard lights.
Additionally, park distance control with intelligent park assist, lane-change assist, adaptive cruise control and assist, and a 360-degree camera are installed.
This generation also gets the Audi Connect feature, which provides passengers with online traffic information, point-of-interest search, sat nav, and live weather updates.
Car2X services is another first, and will allow a safety or service call to an Audi call centre in the event of an emergency.
A final level of connectivity is then accessible through the MyAudi App, and includes a car finder, remote unlocking, and speed and theft alerts.
Athletic
Feeding power into the wheels is a 4.0-litre TFSI, twin-turbo, mild hybrid V8 engine that generates 441kW of power and 800Nm of torque.
The quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system provides exceptional traction, and drive is managed by an 8-speed tiptronic transmission.
This set-up sends the 2.2-tonne behemoth to 100km/h in just 3.6 seconds.
The clever drive management system will also allow you to send up to 85% power to the rear wheels and RS adaptive air suspension sees a 20mm ride height reduction when compared to its non-avant siblings.
I want one
This car is nowhere near affordable for most people – including me – as the Audi RS6 Avant has a South African price of R2,070,000.
However, we can dream, and this car is at the top of my to-buy list when I win the Lotto.
It provides you with all the benefits of an SUV – bar the true off-road abilities – along with the power of a supercar and the comfort of an everyday driver.
It has the heart of a lion, thanks to its V8 engine, and it looks stunning – in a way that only a sports station wagon can.
We live in a world of flashy SUVs and electric sedans right now, and it makes me happy to see Audi produce a car that is neither of these.
Audi RS6 Avant – Photos
Keyword: The new Audi RS6 Avant – It doesn’t get much better than this