What a Car - UK - (2020-04)

Mercedes-AMG

E63S Estate

Thunderousengine

givesbonkerspace,

interioris luxurious

andbootis massive.

PorschePanamera

SportTurismo

Agileandfast,

especiallyin Turbo

form,butnotas

practicalastheRS6.

RIVALS

20 April 2020 whatcar.com

FIRST DRIVE

EVERSINCETHEfirstgenerationwas released

in 2002, the RS6 has stood proud as Audi’s

unofficial halo model, mixing supercar-baiting

performance with exceptional practicality.

In that respect, this fourth-generation model

is no exception.

Under the bonnet lurks a tweaked version of

its predecessor’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8,

now producing a mighty 592bhp and 590lb ft

of torque. That immense power is fed to all four

wheels through an eight-

speed automatic gearbox,

an effective combination

that results in the kind of

acceleration that feels like

you’ve been rear-ended by

an express train. The sprint

from rest to 62mph is over in

just 3.6sec and the top speed

is as high as 189mph if you’ve

specified the optional carbon-

ceramic brakes on a high

trim level. Fit the RS sports exhaust system

as well and there’s a mellifluous V8 bellow to

accompany the eye-popping acceleration.

Then again, the old RS6 was never short on

straight-line speed. Where it really needed to

improve was in corners, and, boy, has Audi

Sport worked some magic. All UK-bound RS6s

get four-wheel steering as standard, and this

helps to make the car feel far more nimble than

its two-tonne-plus weight would suggest. With

the rear wheels angled in the opposite direction

to the fronts at low speeds, it takes a few corners

to get used to the back of the car pitching you

into bends. Once you learn to trust it, though,

it really does make the RS6 feel like a smaller,

lighter and more agile car. At higher speeds,

the rear wheels turn in the same direction as

the fronts to boost stability,

making it feel planted on

the motorway. However,

even though the steering is

fast and precise, it doesn’t

give you a great sense of

connection to the front tyres.

Happily, this isn’t an old-

school Audi RS that just runs

wide at the front if you push

it hard. Although it doesn’t

have a ‘drift’ mode like the

Mercedes-AMG E63 S, you can feel power being

directed to the back wheels on the exit of

corners. This not only prevents the nose from

running wide but also gives you an opportunity

to make the RS6 wag its tail slightly, should you

enjoy that kind of thing.

With optional Dynamic Ride Control

(DRC) suspension (conventional springs but

hydraulically linked dampers), you get a good

sense of connection to the road through

your seat, but it won’t rattle your child’s baby

teeth out. Point the RS6 at an undulating,

pockmarked B-road and you’ll certainly be

aware of the road’s topography, but it never

thumps, thuds or get remotely uncomfortable.

The DRC feels a little firmer over broken

surfaces at city speeds than the standard-fit

Audi RS6 Avant

New high-performance estate aims to be more stimulating in corners than

beforewhilestillbeingheroically rapid On sale NowPricefrom£92,750

WIDER-FIT SHOES

To cover its vast 21in or

22in wheels, the RS6

has much fatter wheel

arches than the

regular A6 Avant. It’s a

whopping 80mm

wider overall.

AudiRS6AvantVorsprung

BUYER’S FILE

Price £109,250

Engine 8cyl, 3993cc, twin-turbo, petrol

Power 592bhp @ 6000-6250rpm

Torque 590lb ft @ 2050-4500rpm

Gearbox 8-spd automatic

0-62mph 3.6sec

Top speed 174mph

Economy 22.1mpg (combined)

CO 2 , tax band 290g/km (WLTP), 37%

Neil Winn

[email protected]