To get the mighty engine firing on all cylinders again, drivers just have to step a little harder on the throttle. This transition from being a “V4” takes just a few hundredths of a second, and is so quick and smooth, it’s barely noticeable.
The RS6 also possesses some impressive fuel-saving tech, but it can really fly when you want it to. Zero to 100km/h happens in just 3.9 seconds, which put the RS6 firmly in supercar territory, and it’s 0.6 of a second quicker than its predecessor. With the new car’s enhanced performance figures, it might surprise you to learn that the previous-generation RS6 has a bigger engine, a 5-litre twin-turbo V10 with 580bhp.
The key to why the new RS6 is faster, in spite of the smaller motor, is how the new car (at 1935kg) is 165kg lighter than before. That’s largely down to the new RS6’s downsized engine and the extensive use of aluminium in its construction.
But whether in last-generation V10 guise or in its current V8-powered iteration, it has always been one of the world’s fastest station wagons.
Still, it’s possible to drive the RS6 in a “normal” fashion. For commuting, it’s best to leave the Drive Select in Auto. This gives the best compromise between performance and fuel economy. Cruising is quiet, with minimal engine, road and wind noise. It purrs gently at low revs, but step on the throttle and the exhaust note becomes a genteel growl.
If in the mood for some fun, putting the RS6 in Dynamic mode won’t disappoint. Gearchanges are lightning-quick, the exhaust snarls more aggressively and the huge wagon leaps forward with every application of the throttle pedal. The suspension also stiffens up, but never feels harsh. The steering gains heft, too, but fortunately, it doesn’t exhibit the rubbery feel that plagues some lesser Audis.
Set this big car up for a corner and the RS6 remains surefooted, balanced and neutral. The optional Dynamic Ride Control system (DRC, a set of diagonally opposed linked dampers) fitted to our test car certainly works, keeping excessive body roll and yaw in check.
Audi RS6 Avant’s engine is a supercar-grade turbocharged 4-litre V8 that kicks out 560bhp and 700Nm.
