Audi has released the first details and images of its 2013 RS 6 Avant, and we like what we see.
As with the new RS 4 Avant, the RS 6 features wedge-shaped xenon plus headlights, a large single-frame grille and a fascia dominated by colossal air inlets and honeycomb mesh. Oddly enough, it does not wear the same box-type wheel arches as the RS 4 or the outgoing C6 RS 6 model, with Audi opting instead for flared items to accommodate the car’s wider track. 20-inch alloys come as standard with 22-inchers an option. At the rear, there’s a large roof spoiler, LED taillights and a pair of elliptical tailpipes shrouded by that imposing diffuser.
Sitting in the engine bay we see that the mighty V10 has made way for a tweaked version of the twin-turbocharged 4.0 TFSI V8 currently powering the S8. It sends 412 kW (560 hp) and 700 Nm of torque to all four wheels via an eight-speed tiptronic transmission, allowing an insane 0-100 km/h time of 3.9 seconds and a limited 250 km/h top speed, which can be raised to 280 km/h (174 mph) upon request.
Thanks to a start-stop and cylinder on demand system, coupled with the utilization of lighter materials, resulting in a car that weighs 100 kg less than its predecessor, helping the C7 RS 6 to return an average fuel consumption figure of just 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres, meaning an improvement of 40 percent over the model it replaces.
The RS 6 is the first RS to use adaptive air suspension with controlled damping, but if you require something a little sharper there’s the sport suspension plus option with Dynamic Ride Control which uses springs and adjustable shock absorbers that are all linked to a central valve by a shared oil line for improved body roll cohesion. Helping to bring the Avant to a standstill is a quartet of vented discs, with 390 mm front discs gripped by six-piston calipers, but if you’re thinking about hitting the track we’d go for the 420 mm carbon ceramic versions.
Inside, occupants are treated to black Alcantara and leather-covered RS sport seats, carbon inlays, MMI navigation plus, 10-speaker sound system, cruise control and three-zone automatic air conditioning.
Notable options include a sport differential on the rear axle, LED headlights, a carbon splitter and diffuser, 21-inch alloys and the comfort package, which brings with it a 1,200 watt 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System, head-up display and Bluetooth online car phone – delivering web-based information, such as weather, news, Audi traffic information online and Audi music stream.
[Source: Audi]