Thursday 28th August 2014

Audi RS6 Avant: PH Fleet

As Dan's fast grey German estate prepares to depart the PH fleet Harris bags a newer, bigger and faster one

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I think it was around the time I wrote a piece for Autocar entitled 'why I hate the Audi TT' that my relationship with Audi deteriorated. They didn't agree with the piece and sent a strongly worded letter saying as much.

I've never quite clicked with Audi as a maker of fast cars. I admire everything it's done in the mainstream market, the brand has been expertly presented and managed and it appears to be good at winning Le Mans. But the showroom connection to this on-track success is mercurial as mercurial as, er, Jean Alesi.

Battleship grey seems entirely appropriate

In the beginning we had the Quattro, big 'Q' and major all-weather pace. Then the rather terrible S2, then a whole generation of 4WD, pretty, usable, fast machines that were about as much fun as colonic irrigation.

Then came the R8 and the B7 RS4. And suddenly Audi's RS brand became a serious rival to BMW's M, and pretty much all other makers of fast machinery. That should have ushered in an era of faultless fast cars, but instead we were offered the dog poo that was the original RS5 and then the latest RS4 which was just a bit average, and of course the last RS6 which weighed more than Ingolstadt itself.

Friends reunited
Why this potted history? Audi has lent me an RS6 for a while. This is something of a leap of faith for them, given my presumed (and unfounded) anti-Audi stance, and equally an RS6 has traditionally been the large performance German that I didn't really want to live with.

I am very interested in how this relationship turns out, because the RS6 is perhaps the car that best defines the difference between a machine that can win a tester's heart in a day and one whose charms may be released more slowly over time. The S4 I've had for well over a year now is a cracking car, but the affection in which everyone who drives holds it is very much couched in terms of respect rather than exhilaration. For the money, if you didn't need the space, an E46 M3 would be more engaging. But this leads us to the thorny subject of all-wheel drive and its role in a fast car.

Debadge? Tick. Bravo Mr Harris

Do people buy RS6s to gas on about steering feel and agility and going sideways? Of course not. They buy them because they go like the clappers, don't get stuck in Chamonix come December and look bloomin' marvelous. All of those things are appealing, but I've always felt that if the accompanying downsides were tragic steering, a brake pedal more sensitive than my feelings around being branded a paid Porsche hand in the PH forums and the ride comfort of a cheap lawn tractor. Well, I'd rather just manage some RWD oversteer.

These new RS6s must be very popular because I completed the order form at the end of last year. The specification caused some consternation because I didn't want tinted glass and having seen some shots of an Australian press car in Nardo grey with all the brightwork painted black. It looked superbly sinister, but not gangster - a difficult trick to pull off.

Twist of the arm
Audi took some persuading on the colour, but gamely gave in after some resistance, however they said the satin-finish brightwork was too much of a pain to replace, so was left in place. I still think it looks stunning, but secretly wish it had the black window surrounds!

Ceramics, 21s, RS suspension ... and £10K+ on price

But what an impressive, imposing machine the RS6 is. The wide arches, big oval exhaust holes and optional 21-inch forged wheels give just the correct suggestion of don't effing mess with me. And the base A6 Avant shape is very pretty anyway.

My sidekick Neil nearly vomited when he saw the pin-stripe wood inside but, again, I think it's a welcome change from those dreary German cabins. I suspect there's a spreadsheet somewhere at Audi UK will track the residual value of this car with some interest.

This area of the marketplace is as much about personalising your car as just specifying the equipment level. I've really just gone for bits that enhance the performance (Dynamic Package Plus for a mere £10,725, sports exhaust for £1,000) and added a big hi-fi for £6,300. And just those three options are of greater cost the value of my entire 2009 S4.

I don't think I've ever seen a set of options for a normal production car that can drag its base price above six figures so easily. Anyone fancy 'Audi Exclusive design package in Valcona leather with honeycomb quilted design'? If you do, it's £9,200. And you can still drop another £2,700 on an Alcantara headlining. I kind of understand why Audi wanted me to stay calm on the spec!

Dabble in trims and you could add many £s still

The car arrived with 250 miles showing and the manual suggested taking it easy for the first 950 miles. This was duly done, and I was very careful bedding in the vast carbon ceramic discs and their pads. There are two reasons I ticked the Dynamic Package Plus box to get the crazy brakes. Firstly, I've driven one of these with steels and I cooked them quite easily. And my cars spend lots of time in airport car parks, and those open spokes mean lots of rust on mild steel discs.

I have just enjoyed my first few drives being able to use full power, and even after the FF it feels very brisk. This part-Bentley 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 is immense. The soundtrack is too obviously fake, but the combination of 516lb ft and the ZF eight-speed transmission is just about the perfect everyday companion. I'm seeing 26mpg on long runs, so the 70-litre tank gives a decent range.

Super enough?
I'm slightly unsure on the super unleaded debate. For the running in period I used the good stuff, thinking it might in some way be better for the engine. Which I suspect is complete bunkum. But it's just swilled a tank of 95 octane and still feels indecently fast, so what do I do. I've always wondered about this - does the slight power loss matter, or should there be a moral responsibility to ensure than one's 560hp is fully deployable at all times? I think I might just save the cash.

£100 extra for toasty cheeks is, well, cheeky

The top speed is pegged at 189mph, which is a little inconvenient, but I'll just have to live within such limitations. The suspension is the optional Dynamic Ride Control dampers and called RS Sports which should strike the fear of god into any civilised human who craves long wheel travel and suppleness. But you know what? It's very well judged for this country. Firm enough to give a sense of connection and very good at flattening ropey A-roads. In fact I think the suspension is impressing me as much as the powertrain. It feels like a completely different team of people worked on it than the ones who ruined the current RS4 chassis. That's because it was a different team of people.

And lumping down the M4 in a deluge and then having to make time on some back roads, well, then you do appreciate the four driven wheels. The front doesn't push at road speeds (with 285 sections on the front, you'd damn well hope so too) and the traction is, as you'd expect, phenomenal.

So, enough for now. This is a stunning car. And I'm a lucky sod to be loaned it for a while.

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FACT SHEET
Car: 2014 Audi RS6 Avant
Run by: Chris Harris
On fleet since: August 2014
Mileage: Enough to start letting it off the leash now
List price new: £77,005 before options (£98,765 as tested comprising Dynamic Package Plus [includes RS Sports suspension and ceramic brakes] £10,725, 21-inch wheels £2,000, Sports Exhaust £1,000, debadge £0, rear window sunblinds £210, heated seats £100, aluminium 'Beaufort Black' inlays £1,250, B&O Advanced sound system £6,300 and 'mobile phone preparation low' £175)
Last month at a glance: First impressions count ... and they're favourable

 

[Dave Hedgehog]

I was lucky enough to have one for a week, what a stonking engine, bat st crazy, im not sure what spec the one I had was but it had adjustable air suspension that was unflinched by pot holes and sleeping policeman

Every time I used the loud pedal it caused me to have fits of laughter (i dont get to drive V12 ferrari), but a couple of seconds of gas at 80 will put the speedo north of 120 ...

I love the engine and think its the best looking RS ever (even better than my B5) but a few things put me off, 13mgp for one, initial depreciation high enough to buy a M235i, its huge over spilling my parking space in both directions, the ride is far to soft and comfortable for me, but the biggest problem I had was not being able to find any deals, M5s can be leased for nearly half the monthly on the RS6

and anyone who spends 6.5 grand on a audio upgrade on a car they will change after a couple of years needs there head examined, you could get one hell of a home cinema setup for less


looks an absolute beast in dark met blue

Edited by Dave Hedgehog on Thursday 28th August 14:37

[Dave Hedgehog]

TurboHatchback said:

Whilst the idea of 560bhp in a 5-door estate car is very amusing I utterly fail to see the point of this car. It is far to big to drive quickly on almost all Europes best driving roads, it is completely unsuitable for driving on track (weight, cost of consumables etc) and the performance is just so great as to be unusable on the public highway.

PtheP said:

Twice as much on extras as I have even spent (of my own money) on a car! Some of us inhabit different worlds ...................

Yes indeed. 21 inch 285 section tyres that it will undoubtedly eat at a prodigious rate, hideous fuel consumption, depreciation on a £100k estate, the mind boggles at how much this would cost to run even before it starts breaking.

It's an extremely easy car to use on the road, very happily to plod around or to warp about at light speed, but it's best just to stick the box in S and ignore the paddles.

Potentially it's the perfect real world daily driver (if you can live with the mpg) doubly so if you have a second car like a 911 etc, I would have to stick to places with large parking bays like blue water.

It would be hard to keep a clean license thou as even a stab on the loud pedal to pass someone puts you 30+ over the limit lol

[Dave Hedgehog]

Chris Harris said:

DoubleSix said:

Come, come. Not everyone who specs them is a wannabe gangster. They offer lots of practical benefits and clearly, whilst subjective, those with an eye for aesthetics think they look pleasing as every marketing photo of a new model has them airbrushed in, including the blooming windscreen!

I just wish I could sensibly have them in-front of the B pillar as it would have prevented the oik in a rusty flatbed from gawping at my OH's legs when stuck in traffic by Temple Meads last Tuesday.

Because of UK law you can't have them all tinted and I think that really breaks-up the shape of the glass-house in profile. So I just have rear blinds for the kids and tell the dog not to wear a heavy jumper.

I totally hate the broken side profile of a half tinted car as well, makes it look like a van

Most RS have the 30% max tint down the side I believe

[Dave Hedgehog]

RenOHH said:

I've completely lost track of the cars Chris owns now.

The only ones I can think of are two range rovers, the S4, and now this.

Read the article it's a press car that he was allowed to spec

[Dave Hedgehog]

Hom said:

Dale487 said:

With fast Audis I can't help think less is more - as the current S1, S3 & S4 all get 4 star or better reviews but the RS models aren't rated as highly (harsh ride, the engine is too heavy, lack of handling balance).

Eh?

Current B8 RS4 reviews from quick google:

Autocar 4/5 http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/audi/rs4-avant...
EVO: 4/5 http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/2927...
Autoexpress: 4/5 http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/audi/rs4
Top gear: 7/10 http://www.topgear.com/uk/audi/rs4-avant/verdict
Telegraph: 4/5 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/car-manufactur...
Autotrader: 4/5 http://www.autotrader.co.uk/articles/2012/06/cars/...
What car: 3/5 http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/audi/a4/2012-audi-...
Honest John: 4/5 http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/audi/rs4-2012...
Daily Mail: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-22...
Parkers: 4.5/5 http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/audi/a4/rs4-...

The B8 RS4 is a very poor daily driver compared to the RS6, even ignoring that dynamic suspension mode which makes the RS3 appear to have soft fluffy marshmallow suspension the biggest problem is Audi have tuned the V8 for hard driving (and it is a truly epic engine when your on it) but it makes for a very bad real world engine as its pretty much dead below 4k rpms, the RS6 on the other hand (and the RS3 to a slightly lesser extent) will melt the tyres with a light jab of the loud pedal from tick over.

Audi have been testing a biturbo V6 with a reported 550bhp output so hopefully this will end up in the next RS4 which should make it far more flexible for every day driving. Although it will probably be 550 in the RS6 and detuned to 4 something for the RS4

[Dave Hedgehog]

jamieduff1981 said:

okie592 said:

jamieduff1981 said:

I simply and utterly cannot get over this country's fking obsession with overcast grey though. I mean seriously now could you pick a more lifeless colour?

Resale value.

Resale value is entirely dependant on someone else spotting the invisible car and thinking "Wow - that miserable hue suits my personality perfectly. Take my money Salesman!"

I just don't get it

most people buying cars like this will p/x them back to the dealer, the dealers know what sells and what colours stand for ever and they can not give away, it will hit your p/x price if you have a spec they know will be hard to sell

i always ask dealers what int/exterior colours are hard to sell because of this

[Dave Hedgehog]

Hom said:

Dave Hedgehog said:

The B8 RS4 is a very poor daily driver compared to the RS6, even ignoring that dynamic suspension mode which makes the RS3 appear to have soft fluffy marshmallow suspension the biggest problem is Audi have tuned the V8 for hard driving (and it is a truly epic engine when your on it) but it makes for a very bad real world engine as its pretty much dead below 4k rpms, the RS6 on the other hand (and the RS3 to a slightly lesser extent) will melt the tyres with a light jab of the loud pedal from tick over.

Audi have been testing a biturbo V6 with a reported 550bhp output so hopefully this will end up in the next RS4 which should make it far more flexible for every day driving. Although it will probably be 550 in the RS6 and detuned to 4 something for the RS4

That's not the point I was making. Mines a daily and suits me perfect. Same arguments are always thrown at the E9x M3 about being dead below 4k and I never had an issue either......Anyway floating off topic but highlighting an incorrect notion that most RS models are poorly received.

Edited by Hom on Friday 29th August 10:47

generally there not seen as the pinnacle of driving involvement especially when compared to M Cars (the real ones) but Audi do generally know what their customers want and build to that and not what a jurno on a track for a couple of hours wants

but even then owners requirements vary depending on how and where they drive

[Dave Hedgehog]

scherzkeks said:

Dave Hedgehog said:

Audi have been testing a biturbo V6 with a reported 550bhp output so hopefully this will end up in the next RS4 which should make it far more flexible for every day driving. Although it will probably be 550 in the RS6 and detuned to 4 something for the RS4

Cue PH review complaining about improved flexibility for everyday driving.

aye, a lot of people will not be happy with this but the new M4s engine is vastly better as a daily drive than the old V8 or the RS V8 IMO

[Dave Hedgehog]

Stan 24v said:

In order to get the look of the Aussie car, Chris, you just need a tin of Plastidip. Its a quick spray on rubber solution which just peels off when you no longer want it, that way you get the look you want and its 100% reversible without any fear of damaging the paint, invalidating your warranty or annoying Audi (any more than previously).....................plus it will look superb!!

http://www.plastidip.co.uk/eStore/index.cfm?Plasti...

a guy had to respray his elise after the plastidip took the paint off when he removed it

[Dave Hedgehog]

Patrick Bateman said:

NomduJour said:

braddo said:

Nice car and colour, but the window tinting looks st. I can't understand the popularity of privacy glass.

Mild window tinting for all side and rear glass - fair enough, but the blacked out glass excluding the front door glass.... Looks st and so little practical benefit.

Absolutely. Only for ghetto bluds who is well VIP innit or people with ugly kids.

When you're being tail-gated at night and there are Xenons brighter than the sun in your mirror, especially from a Range Rover, it is most definitely handy.

auto dimming mirror

and the RS6 has LED lights as an option, they are like 2 suns compared to HIDs