The 10-cylinder engine is indicated by the ten LED daytime running lights (DRLs) on each side.
Based on the Volkswagen Group C6 vehicle chassis, the second-generation RS 6later known as the Audi RS 6 5.0 TFSI quattro (Typ 4F)was shown in September 2007 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It was available in Europe as of the same date as factory manufacturing began, and exports to other countries started in 2009. Factory production began in December 2007. The C6 RS 6 had an 8,000-unit overall production run, with 6,500 of those being Avants and the remaining being saloons. [11] The Audi S6 was the top-performing trim in North America because the RS 6 was not offered there. (The RS 6 Avant was unlikely to be imported due to the unpopularity of wagons, and despite rumors that the RS 6 sedan would be sold in the US,[12] nothing of the sort happened because the RS 6 importer was unable to pass US requirements.) [13] The C6 RS 6’s production ceased in the third quarter of 2010. [14]
The 5.0 L (4,991 cc) V10 engine in the RS 6 produced 52 kW (71 PS; 70 bhp) and 150 Nm (111 lbft) more power and torque than the 5.0 L V10 in the BMW. Power was produced at 6,250 to 6,700 rpm and ranged from 1,500 to 6,250 rpm. The RS6 was Audi’s solely most potent vehicle ever as of January 2010[update],[15] [16] and, in terms of engine output, put the vehicle ahead of its two closest rivals, the BMW M5 and the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, both of which use normally aspirated engines. However, the RS 6 sedan’s estimated price in 2010 was $160,000 USD (another source claims $126,000 USD in 2009, making the RS 6 possibly too expensive for the American market[11]), setting it apart from the performance versions of other executive cars. The MSRP of the BMW M5 was $85,700 USD, the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG was $87,700 USD, and the Audi S6 was $78,025 USD. [17] [18] [19] [20]
The Avant’s highest speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155.3 mph),[21] with a factory option to de-restrict the top speed to 274 km/h. Official performance figures for the Avant include 4.6 seconds for the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) and 12.7 seconds from 0 to 200 km/h (124.3 mph) (170.3 mph). CO2 emissions are calculated at 333 g/km in standard form. In 4.5 seconds, the saloon accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph).
In This Article...
In the US, how many Audi RS6s are there?
You will have access to Audi’s top-of-the-line Tiptronic transmission, which seamlessly transfers engine power to Audi’s renowned Quattro AWD system for optimal stability and control. By dividing the torque across each individual wheel, the clever system can further improve the driving experience. With these high-performance vehicles, Audi continues its legacy of offering the most cutting-edge engineering.
The appearance is the second thing you’ll like right away. The RS 6 Avant is constructed with RS-unique components, all of which are intended to give the vehicle a very specific type of energizing, dynamic, and athletic appearance. Its wide body, flared wheel arches, gloss-black grille, 21 RS wheels (or 22, if you like), roof spoiler, and Audi laser LED headlights all work in perfect harmony to showcase innovation, style, and workmanship.
Interior: Unquestionably Refined
RS-embossed Sports seats are included as standard equipment, and drivers will find them to be supportive as they manage this powerful vehicle around tight turns. To mirror the design of significant exterior components, the seats’ Valcona leather upholstery has a honeycomb pattern.
You can always rely on Audi to deliver the best in the cockpit, especially at the RS level. This model comes standard with a 12.3 HD instrument cluster and the second-generation Audi Virtual Cockpit. By utilizing the exceptional resolution of 1920 x 720 pixels, this display assists the driver by bringing crucial information from the central 10.1 haptic touchscreen display into eyeline, such as 3D city maps. There is a secondary 8.6-inch screen that displays your climate controls and other driver convenience features below the main infotainment screen.
These displays, particularly the instrument cluster, show much more than just speedometers and odometers. Important performance data like torque, power output, oil temperature, acceleration, and more are included in the RS-level displays. You can even get g-force information from them! Literally woven into the fabric and incorporated into the display and other driver devices are the car’s performance credentials.
Only Available in 25 Models
The Nogaro Bundle
If bringing an RS model wagon to the US wasn’t achievement enough, American owners could join a truly exclusive Audi club. As part of a celebration of 25 years since the Audi RS 2’s debut in 1994, the Nogaro package will only be available on 25 Audi RS 6 Avant cars. Although it was one of Audi’s most recognizable models, this particular one was never offered for sale in the US.
The Nogaro Package pays respect to those squandered opportunities from the mid-1990s as the US is ready to welcome the RS 6 Avant to its shores and highways. The beautiful 22 5-V-spoke trapezoid-design alloy wheels, red brake calipers, sport exhaust, and Black Optic exterior theme are all features of the special-edition RS 6 Avant.
power, exclusivity, and style
This is the Real Thing:
By making the Audi RS 6 Avant even more exclusive, Audi may be making up for the fact that previous models like the RS 2 were unavailable in America. With that said, America is aware to demand nothing less than the best from Audi. With a starting price of $108,000, it has a premium price label, but given all the premium amenities and upgrades, this is hardly surprising.
In the US, how many 2003 Audi RS6s are there?
The 2008 Audi RS 4 Sedan we featured as our Find of the Day last week had 17k miles and was priced for $74,900. This week, an older, larger brother was introduced to us: a 2003 Audi RS 6 car with 18,000 kilometers. Where are all these RS vehicles with low mileage hiding? Here is the advertisement for the one that Bring A Trailer is hiding:
There were only 1,435 Audi RS6s imported to the country in 2003, all of which were twin-turbocharged 4.2-liter V8s with five-speed automated transmissions and Quattro all-wheel drive. Finished in Daytona Gray Pearl Effect over silver Nappa leather, this example has 18 alloy wheels, automatic dual-zone climate control, cruise control, power-adjustable front seats, heated front and rear seats, a solar sunroof, rear window shades, and an aftermarket Kenwood infotainment screen with Garmin navigation and an integrated back-up camera. The vehicle was initially delivered to Classic Audi in Altamonte Springs, Florida; the seller bought it in 2019. The timing belt, water pump, batteries, and tires were recently replaced as part of maintenance, and it has since accrued 18000 miles. With current service records, a copy of the window sticker, the factory stereo that has been removed, a clear Carfax report, and a clear New Hampshire title in the seller’s name, this C5 RS6 is now being offered in Florida.
Exterior features include matte aluminum trim, flared fenders, a rear deck lid spoiler, a front fascia with mesh grilles and integrated fog lights, and a reworked rear fascia with twin exhaust tips. The exterior is painted in Daytona Gray Pearl Effect. The windshield wiper inserts have just been changed by the vendor.
255/40 Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate ZR-rated tires mounted in September 2019 are mounted on factory 18 alloy wheels. Cross-drilled discs with eight-piston Brembo calipers and 14.4 rotors up front provide stopping power for the vehicle, which is supported by an adaptive Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) suspension.
The dashboard, center console, and door panels are all black, and the front seats are power-adjustable and finished with silver Nappa leather with black accept piping and embossed RS6 insignia. Additionally, the vehicle has heated front and rear seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, power accessories, an aftermarket Kenwood infotainment system with a screen and tuner, Garmin navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth hands-free technology, and a backup camera. A motorised rear window shade, rear passenger sunshades, and a solar panel that operates a cooling fan when parked were all added by the Warm Weather Package. The factory radio was removed, but the car also comes with a hardwired Valentine radar detector.
A 200 mph speedometer, an 8k rpm tachometer, a multi-function display, as well as gauges for the temperature of the oil, coolant, fuel, and voltage, are mounted on the perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel. Less than 18k miles are shown on the digital odometer, of which about 5,000 were added during the current ownership.
When brand-new, the 4.2-liter twin-turbocharged, intercooled V8 was rated at 450 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. Quattro all-wheel drive and a five-speed Tiptronic transaxle with paddle shifters are used to transmit power. An oil change and the replacement of the timing belt, water pump, and battery were among the maintenance tasks completed during the current owner’s tenure.
A replica of the window sticker shows the included features, available options, and an overall cost of $86,010. Two keys, recent service documents, and an owner’s manual are all included in the transaction. The Carfax report from September 2020 lists Florida, Oregon, and New Hampshire registration history and omits any indication of damage or accidents.
The RS 4 has a listing price of $75,000, and this one is presently bidding at $30,000 with 4 days remaining (as of this writing). The RS 6 is a solid vehicle, however it isn’t as appealing as the RS 4. This one won’t last very long, I have a feeling. This RS 6 with extremely low mileage and a ton more pictures are available HERE. Thank you Kat for the warning.
Can RS6 match R8’s speed?
A curious phenomenon, inflation. You don’t give it much thought at first, but eventually it creeps up on you. Like when you see someone post on Twitter that they drive a 134,000 Audi RS6 and your jaw drops. Even while the C8 press car in question was an extreme example, you’ll probably need to spend well over $100,000 to own one of these vehicles when options are taken into account.
Sounds like a lot of money for a fast estate, but the Mercedes-AMG E63 S is currently priced around that amount, and if you do the math, you’ll discover that the original C5 RS6 had a starting price of 95,000 in 2020 dollars, which is reasonably close to the new one.
The price of the R8 quattro is also about where it should be, but there is a significant difference: when it was introduced in 2009, there wasn’t a budget rear-drive model. There is now, and in contrast to the RWS, the “R8 RWD” is a constant in the lineup. Additionally, at 111,000, it is in RS6 range.
Of course, no one would pick a mid-engined, two-seater coupe over a 2.1-tonne estate vehicle. That wasn’t the purpose of pairing these two; rather, we were curious to see which of these 100,000+ Audi cars would be the most exciting to drive on the same route.
The RS6’s current 0-62 mph time of 3.6 seconds makes it the quickest car to the benchmark time by a tenth, underscoring just how ridiculously quick it is. The R8’s peak speed is 198 mph in contrast. If not for a 155 mph electronic speed limiter, the RS6 would undoubtedly achieve that number as well.
Even though the acceleration numbers are comparable, they arrive to the benchmark number in quite different methods. The naturally-aspirated V10 in the mid-mounted R8 needs to be wound all the way to 7900 rpm to reach its maximum power of 533bhp and 6400 rpm to reach its maximum torque of 398lb ft. The RS6 uses a twin-turbocharged V8 located at the front that produces 592bhp at 6000 rpm and 590lb ft of torque from just 2050 rpm.
After traveling to the location of our shoot in the R8, the C8 ought to feel like it has all the elegance of a greased-up hippo, but strangely, it doesn’t. You can throw it about, but it weighs about half as much, is much bigger, and has a higher center of gravity.
When given anything other than moderate corner speeds, previous iterations of the RS6 would soon push on into understeer, but the C8’s front end resists giving in. The body maintains excellent stability throughout, with a small impression of pivoting in the middle that is primarily caused by the rear-wheel steering at work. Although the configuration here is less sporty than that of the Merc E63, the all-wheel drive system can potentially transmit almost 80% of torque to the rear axle.
Naturally, there is some turbo lag on the RS6, but it is not really noticeable. And the V8 bursts the RS6 down the road with horrifying force at almost 3000 rpm. It also sounds wonderful. But in contrast to a V10? That’s where things start to get interesting, though.
The R8 now features a pair of particle filters in its exhaust system, despite the fact that 10 cylinders that aren’t force-fed by turbos should be a nearly unmatched layout in terms of noise. Even though you still get a louder noise than most other cars, the top end wail that used to make your hair stand on end has notably quieted down inside. You’re standing outside the venue while one of the greatest concerts ever is taking place right in front of you.
These filters are present in the RS6 as well, but they don’t seem to hinder the V8 as much. And since the R8’s best feature is no longer intact, you find yourself paying more attention to the dynamics. This is a problem because the R8 is not the finest-handling supercar, whereas the RS6 is among the best super estates.
Regardless of whether you choose a 911 Carrera S or a 911 Turbo, Porsche has a more dynamically satisfying car to suit. The McLaren 570S is by far a better drivers’ car. Of course, this is not to suggest that the R8 is a poor car to drive; after driving the RS6, you can definitely feel the enhanced agility, and now that the front driveshafts are gone, the steering is a touch nicer than in a conventional R8, albeit too light and still a little nebulous.
Even though the front wheels are no longer driven, dry weather rarely poses a challenge for rear traction. In more difficult corners, there is typically only a faint rotation; to get more of that, provocation is required. Although the R8 RWD’s ESP Sport setting provides for a surprising amount of slip angle, you still need to be prepared to stop slides fast because the vehicle is rear-driven and mid-engined.
However, the Italian cousin of the R8 does this a lot better. The 5.2-liter V10 in the Lamborghini Huracan Evo RWD has more power, responds more aggressively, and produces more power. Driving one of those shortly before trying this Audi hasn’t been good for the latter.
The estate car outperforms your expectations, whilst the supercar only just about fulfills them. This is the main distinction between the RS6 and the R8. The R8 works as it should; it’s enjoyable to drive and moderately thrilling, but the RS6 offers more thrills because it accomplishes things that an estate vehicle weighing more than two tonnes clearly shouldn’t be able to do.
All of this leads me to an unexpected conclusion: I would prefer the RS6 if I could only drive one to tear down a good road.