Audi RS6 Avant here in November at $230K

AUDI will offer the latest V8 twin-turbo RS6 Avant for around $30,000 less than the outgoing model when it hits Australian showrooms in November, priced around $230k.

Despite the price cut and the loss of two cylinders, the redesigned RS6 can monster the 0-100km/h sprint in a supercar-chasing 3.9 seconds, seven tenths quicker than the previous generation.

Exact equipment specifications are yet to be announced but Audi is promising plenty of on-board technology such as a 360-degree parking camera, adaptive air suspension, a digital TV tuner and a top-end infotainment system with internet and sat-nav.

A matte-finished Quattro styling package, 20-inch alloy wheels and carbon-fibre interior trim will help make the bahnstorming load-lugger stand out as something a bit special.

The RS6 will round off a busy year of launches for high-performance Audis, joining the recently released RS4 Avant, TT RS Plus and facelifted R8 as well as the RS5 Cabriolet due to arrive in July.

Representing the more affordable end of Audi’s performance portfolio will be the S3 hot hatch when it goes on sale in December.

Helping quicken the impressive acceleration time is a 100kg weight loss and an extra 50Nm of torque compared with the old twin-turbo 5.0-litre V10.

Evidently this more than makes up for the 412kW/700Nm 4.0-litre V8’s peak power output being 14kW lower than the V10.

Combined fuel consumption plummets 30 per cent from 14 litres per 100km on the V10 to 9.8L/100km on the V8, demonstrating the benefits of weight reduction, downsizing and the engine’s cylinder deactivation technology.

The new V8 – shared with Bentley – pumps out a considerable 103kW and 150Nm more than the low-blow version used in the S6 sedan ($168,900) and S7 Sportback ($179,900).

Audi Australia managing director Andrew Doyle described the RS6 – which provides 1680 litres of boot space with the rear bench folded – as the “ultimate compromise ... a car that performs brilliantly, yet has the practicality of an SUV, in an Avant body-style”.

“There will be no shortage of choice from the Audi range for those dynamically-minded customers wanting to make the most of high-performance, combined with everyday driving capacity,” he said.

“This model will further cement our reputation as a manufacturer of the highest quality, sports vehicles.”

In the Australian Audi range the RS6 will represent the polar opposite of the only two other A6 wagons on sale here – the front-drive, four-cylinder 2.0 TFSI and 2.0 TDI, although the high-riding A6 Allroad crossover does come with a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel.

Audi has said it will sell only 50 units each of the S6 sedan and S7 Sportback but shifted 65 examples of the previous-generation RS6 Avant between 2008 and 2010.