Audi has been one of the most prominent companies when it comes to performance cars - the original Quattro rallying marvel to the modern-day R8 supercar -- Audi’s history has been littered with some amazing automobiles. When it comes to their car sales across the globe, the Ingolstadt-based automaker has been appreciated for its excellently practical but fun-to-drive station wagons (Avant in Audi speak). And one of their most well-liked and popular models is none other than the infamous RS6 Avant.
The Audi RS6 Avant was introduced in the early 2000s, and it was the posh carmaker’s fun solution to boring station wagons - it worked wonderfully. Also, if you are curious about the RS title -- it stands for ‘RennSport’ in German -- which loosely translates to ‘Racing Sport’ in English. However, what’s more important now is the latest generation of the RS6 Avant, which is the C8 - the fourth iteration of Audi’s famous sporty station wagon. It’s built on the latest VW Group’s MLB architecture, and goes up against segment stalwarts such as the Mercedes-AMG E63AMG S, BMW M5, and the really capable Porsche Panamera Sport Tursimo.
Exterior
There is no mistaking the 2020 RS6 Avant for anything other than a modern Audi. Setting the tone at the front is the the marque’s ‘Singleframe grille’ with some glossy black-finish decoration, swanky and ultra-modern Matrix Laser headlamps with sequential turn signals and LED DRLs, heavily-creased hood, aggressive-looking bumper with massive vents and a sporty front splitter. Focusing on the steroid-injected sides of the new RS6 Avant reveals its massive 21-inch RS-specific rims, muscular wheel arches, an almost-flat D-pillar layout, flared rear haunches and an Autobahn-poised stance. The technical rear of the latest breed of the RS6 Avant presents highly-animated LED tail lamps, sporty roof-mounted spoiler, RS-specific dual oval exhausts, and a well-sculpted bumper. Overall, the all-new 2020 Audi RS6 Avant is a spectacularly gorgeous station wagon that won’t go unnoticed on even the most posh neighborhoods.
Interior
In keeping with the latest Audi family of vehicles, the interior of the 2020 RS6 Avant sports a sporty yet futuristic layout. The design might be really modern, but it never feels overwhelming or something that your average educated, rich folk can’t handle. It’s definitely a driver-oriented cockpit, but the features and technology is easily accessible and thoroughly contemporary in every way shape and form -- the flat-bottom steering, Audi Virtual Cockpit gauges, high-resolution main display (head unit) and secondary display (HVAC and seat controls etc) and control-by-wire gear selector are all there to prove one point.; the latest Audi RS6 Avant is a technological tour-de-force.
As one can expect, the 2020 RS6 Avant’s cabin s finished in some of the best materials and trim that Audi could lay its hands on. On top of that, the cabin’s well insulated and feels quiet under most conditions -- with the occasional tire roar seeping in (especially with the optional 22s) at Autobahn speeds. The seats are well-contoured and comfortable, while the rear seats are pretty malleable and can accommodate three adults sans much fuss. In terms of features, the latest-gen RS6 Avant can come with radar-guided cruise control, adaptive headlamps, carbon-ceramic brakes, powered front seats with heating & ventilation function, customizable driver’s display, adaptive dampers, power glass roof, sports exhaust, customizable drive modes, high-definition touch-infotainment head unit with Google navigation, premium Bang & Olufsen sound system etc.
Engine and performance
Under the svelte hood of the 2020 Audi RS6 Avant is a 4.0-liter turbocharged eight-cylinder that’s aided by a 48-volt mild-hybrid electrical system - in all firing 591hp and 800Nm of maximum pulling might! This grunt is channeled through an 8-speed tiptronic automatic transmission and directed to all fours via Audi’s Quattro AWD system. What all this means is a naught to 100 km/h sprint time of just 3.6 seconds and an electronically-limited top speed (in standard form) of 250 km/h. However, pay Audi enough, and your RS6 Avant can have a terminal velocity of 305 km/h -- that’s just insane for a luxurious station wagon!
Verdict
At the end of the day, the 2020 Audi RS6 Avant isn’t meant for everyone. It’s a practical station wagon that will happily rip your face off if it feels like it. However, the gigabytes of safety nannies and Audi’s Quattro system is there to have your back -- when you want be a hero but don’t feel like soiling your trousers.
