Audi’s hottest RS 6 Avant GT set for Euro delivery

AUDI’S predilection for ridiculously fast (Avant) wagons continues in the just announced RS 6 Avant GT special edition which the four rings company says, “is the pinnacle of the model series”. It will be available here in limited numbers later this year (H2). 

The Avant RS 6 GT thought bubble goes back to Audi’s apprentice project RS 6 GTO concept from 2020 when twelve apprentices learning skills as bodywork and vehicle construction mechanics, automotive mechanics, automotive painters, and tooling mechanics worked on the project for six months with the support of Audi Design.

Inspiration for that project came primarily from “legendary” Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO race car from way back in 1989 with the result showing in a range of ways.

Audi says the RS 6 Avant GT stands out from other models in its range – the RS 6 Avant and the RS 6 Avant performance version thanks to its accentuated appearance based on the RS 6 GTO concept.

The striking front end of the newcomer takes inspiration from that model.

“The special edition is packed with exclusive details for both the exterior and the interior,” says Audi in a statement.

“Only 660 units (will be available) worldwide and heritage decals based on the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO guarantee exclusivity.”

The new GT is a showcase of current thinking in performance parts inspired by motor racing such as the pass-through roof edge spoiler, a redefined diffuser and 22-inch wheels in a distinctive design.

The chassis boasts lightweight adjustable coil-over suspension “unique” to the RS 6 Avant GT and a reworked quattro sport differential on the rear axle sharpens the drive feel.

The interior features high-quality bucket seats, a dedicated colour combination and individual numbering in the centre console as exclusive accents.

Moving to the body we find a carbon bonnet and front guards to save weight and accommodate those large 22-inch wheels fitted with high-performance tyres.

The characteristic Audi single frame grille and the air intakes are finished in high-gloss black which makes the car appear low and wide. Vertical blades in the front apron, a new intake grille, and a powerfully cast front splitter integrated into the bumper enhance the sharpened look.

This is the first time Audi Sport GmbH, the outfit responsible for the GT, is not only using a fully redesigned bonnet but is also manufacturing it from carbon-fibre. The one-of-a-kind finish makes the redesigned bonnet a “bobby dazzler” as it’s framed in the body colour.

Integrated air outlets behind the wheels reduce air pressure in the wheel arch and improve brake cooling while the carbon-fibre guards fall into the same “first time” category as the bonnet.

The model’s side profile is highlighted by side skirt inserts, exterior mirror covers in glossy carbon and other visual and exclusive to GT enhancements.

The rear presents with black RS 6 GT lettering, a tailgate specially adapted to the design with a visually lowered loading edge, a functional diffuser with a vertically centred reflector that makes the car appear wider and a distinctive double wing inspired by motorsport.

The double wing idea was taken almost exactly from the apprentices’ concept car.

This is the first RS 6 Avant not to have roof rails which were deleted for a flatter, sportier silhouette.

Customers can option “exclusive” decals in two colours, the first, in conjunction with an Arkona White finish, combines the traditional colours of Audi Sport, black, grey, and red. The model badges at the front and rear also come in these colours.

With this combo’ the wheels are in a high-gloss white. Alternatively, the decals in black and grey tones come with the exterior colour Nardo grey or Mythos black and to match, Audi offers the high-sheen wheels in high-gloss black or matte black.

More finessing of the car’s appearance applies includes the tailgate along with the model lettering.

The wagon is available in Arkona White, Nardo Gray, Chronos Gray Metallic, Madeira Brown Metallic, and Mythos Black Metallic exterior colours and rolls off the production line with the RS design package plus as standard.

This dictates a black interior enhanced with numerous accents in a red and copper colour combination. The RS bucket seats in a leather-Dinamica and the RS 6 GT lettering below the headrests also feature this colour scheme. Honeycomb stitching in the centre of the seat “shimmers” in Express Red, while the outer seam is finished in copper colour.

Performance capabilities of the RS 6 Avant GT are impressive with a 0 to 100 km/h sprint despatched in 3.3 seconds and the model is capable of accelerating to 200 km/h from a standstill in 11.5 seconds where permissible.

Top speed, again where permissible, is 305 km/h, with the whole shebang pulled up by an RS ceramic brake system.

The 4.0 TFSI V8 drives through a permanent all-wheel drive quattro system and an eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox with optimized shift times. It has a locking centre differential that distributes power to the front and rear axle at ratio of 40:60.

If slippage occurs, more drive torque is automatically applied to the axle with better traction – up to 70 per cent can flow to the front axle and up to 85 per cent to the rear axle.

“The reworked centre differential improves driving dynamics, ensures noticeably more precise cornering, and makes for less understeer at the limit,” says Audi.

The quattro sport differential on the rear axle has been specially tuned for the RS 6 Avant GT with a greater focus on agility through a rear bias in “dynamic” driving mode.

The adjustable coil-over suspension rides 10mm lower than the regular RS 6 Avant for comfort and dynamic gains derived from a higher spring rate, triple-adjustable dampers and stiffer stabilisers (30 per cent stiffer at the front and 80 per cent at the rear) that cut body roll.

Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) or the RS adaptive air suspension are optional.

The rapid wagon rolls on high-performance Continental Sport Contact 7 285/30 R22 tyres that are said to offer consistently better roadholding under both dry and wet conditions and reduce understeer when cornering at speed while reducing braking distance.

The car is not entirely assembled on the production line in Neckarsulm as after the body construction works and paint shop, the 660 units go to Böllinger Höfe for finishing … the same place as the Audi R8, Audi e-tron GT quattro and RS e-tron GT are built in small-series production.

European delivery of the Audi RS 6 Avant GT will begin in the second quarter 2024.