What the news?
The all-new Audi RS 6 Avant is now on sale in Ireland priced from €140,300. A host of technology is present on the new model, helping to bring performance up while driving fuel consumption down.
Exterior
As is typical with an RS model; a full body kit comes as standard. Both the front and rear bumpers have been replaced, the door sills extended, and a large spoiler resides on the roof. A diffuser has also been installed, housing twin exhaust outlets. Eight exterior colours can be specified for the RS 6, including a matte Daytona Grey finish. Standard-fit alloys measure 20-inches across while 21-inch rims are available as an option.
Interior
RS-branded sports seats replace Audi's standard items and they're upholstered in high-quality Valcona leather. In front of the driver is a branded, flat-bottomed sports steering wheel; while MMI navigation with MMI touch is fitted to every model. The equipment list also includes illuminated kick plates, a BOSE sound system, four-way climate control, a head-up display, and Audi's parking system at no extra cost.
Optional toys include night vision and a 15-speaker, 1,200-watt Bang & Olufsen audio system.
Mechanicals
The 5.0-litre V10 engine from the previous RS 6 has been ditched in favour of a smaller 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 for the new model. While this seems like a step backwards, the figures seem to show the opposite. Output measures 560hp and 700Nm of torque, which gets this family estate from 0-100km/h in just 3.9 seconds and onto a limited top speed of 250km/h.
The new engine also features cylinder-on-demand (COD) technology, which shuts down four of the car's eight cylinders under light loads. Coupled with a stop-start system and an eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox the new engine manages to attain a 9.8 litres/100km fuel consumption figure on the combined cycle.
Adaptive air suspension has also been fitted for the first time on an RS model. As well as dropping ride height by 20mm, the system uses driving style, road conditions and selected drive mode to ensure the car behaves as it should.
Anything else?
Order books are open now for the new RS 6 Avant, with first deliveries expected in July. Click here to read our first drive of the Audi RS 6 Avant.
