The 2022 Audi RS6 is the modern-day interpretation of the RS2 Avant or wagon. Released in 1994, the RS2 was the first "RS" Audi ever produced. The first RS6 was released in 2002 and this third generation is the culmination of years of incremental development. The RS6 is a popular model and has gained a cult following. Many gearheads view it as the ultimate daily driver, space, power, looks, and luxury are all available in abundance.
Many of the RS6's features are best in class, while competitors like the Mercedes AMG E63 and Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo come close, the RS6 remains the benchmark. The package as a whole is more complete than its rivals, making it the best all-around performance car ever made. That is not to say these rivals are not great cars, but all things considered, the RS6 takes the crown.
The RS6 offers owners a great deal of flexibility. The car performs as well as a standard A6 wagon when it comes to load-lugging, there is room for the dog and the children with all their associated baggage. Yet, the car can rival modern-day supercars off the line. This latest generation could well be the last version to be produced, with a shift towards electric development. Increasingly stringent emission regulations and the upcoming ban on new combustion-engine cars means we need to celebrate cars like this while we still can.
9 Capacious Luggage Capacity
Let's face it, the majority of people looking to buy a wagon value the space it affords. It is this space, that makes the RS6 such a viable proposition as a practical daily driver. The RS6's luggage capacity is 565 liters with the rear seats upright, and 1,680 with them folded. This vast capacity enables family paraphernalia to be swallowed with ease. Similarly, owners will be able to fit lots of flat pack furniture from the iconic Swedish retailer.
The Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo can swallow 520 liters with the seats up and 1,390 liters with the seats folded down. The Mercedes E63 wagon does trump the RS6 however capable of fitting 640 liters of stuff in seats up and 1820 seats down.
8 Rear-Wheel Steering Ensures It Outhandles The Competition
The RS6 is fitted with a rear-wheel steering system, this dramatically improves its maneuverability. At speed, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front helping to get an accurate turn in. In the city, at slower speeds, the rear wheels turn in an opposite direction to the fronts reducing the turning circle.
For an almost 5-meter long car, this gives it an advantage over the competition improving usability.
7 48V Mild-Hybrid Technology
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Helping to provide additional power, as well as improving the car's fuel economy, is a 48V mild hybrid system. It is unclear as to the extent the system aids this, as Audi has not released any exact figures.
A small lithium-ion battery at the heart of the system is located under the cargo bay floor. The unit stores energy generated by a crankshaft-driven belt alternator. When driven at speeds between 34 and 99 mph, and the car detects the driver has reduced accelerator input, the engine shuts off for up to 40 seconds. The system also activates below 14 mph as a part of the start-stop system.
6 Mechanical Quattro All-Wheel Drive
Audi's first iteration of its permanent all-wheel-drive system, or Quattro was introduced in 1980. Since then, it has been fitted to many models and has been available as a popular option.
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In the RS6, Quattro ensures the V8's 600hp is sent to the wheels with the most traction, enabling maximum performance. The Mercedes AMG E63 is also only available as an all-wheel drive car, in the US at least. In Germany, a rear-wheel-drive model can be ordered, but only around 10 percent of buyers opt to do this.
5 Class Leading Luxurious Interior
Upon entering into the RS6's cabin, it is immediately clear the interior is a step up above the rest. The materials used are of a very high quality, the flat-bottomed, Alcantara trimmed wheel provides a satisfying contact point in the car. The quilted Valcona leather also raises the opulent feel.
Keeping cabin intrusions to a minimum, double glazing insulates you from the outside world.
4 Imposing Body Kit
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The RS6 has arguably the most aggressive and dramatic body kit of any high-performance wagon. Audi's designers have managed to create a squat, wide, and sporty-looking profile. The car can be instantly recognized as a powerful machine, the aggressive rear diffuser and vast functional exhaust pipes really set off the back end's design. By comparison, the Mercedes E63 and Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo are somewhat more sedate.
The front end is unique to the RS6, as well as the RS7. Compared to the standard A6 wagon, the grill is more angular and the side vents are triangular rather than rectangular.
3 Prerequisite V8
Powering this beast is a 4.0-liter, twin-turbo TFSI V8 engine. The unit produces a generous 600 hp, enabling the RS6 to go from 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds. The car's top speed is a maximum of 174 mph. Like the other cars in this category, a V8 is mandatory. The Mercedes AMG E63 has a twin-turbo 603-hp V8 and the Porsche Panamera Sport Tourismo a twin-turbo 542-hp V8 in Turbo guise.
The Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid produces 679hp and 0-62 mph takes just 3.4 seconds
2 Sleek Infotainment System And Virtual Cockpit
The RS6's center console is home to not one, but two infotainment screens. The Top screen is a 10.1-inch touch-sensitive panel and enables features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Navigation, and Bang and Olufsen system to be controlled. The second screen is also touch-sensitive but is slightly smaller at 8.6 inches. This screen is used for changing comfort-related settings such as the climate control system.
Like many modern Audi's, the RS6 receives a virtual cockpit, this displays essential information such as digital speed and rev counters. The screen can also be customized to provide a focussed view when using navigation apps.
1 It’s A Genuine Supercar Rival
With a 0-60 mph time of just 3.6 seconds, the RS6 is suitably quick enough to keep pace with many current supercars and outrun those of just a few years ago. For comparison, the Ferrari F430 takes 3.7 seconds, while the modern Ferrari 488 takes around 3 seconds.
The car is available with carbon ceramic brakes, these provide fade-free stopping power. The ceramics ensure reliability on an alpine pass or a racetrack.