Thursday 13th February 2020

Audi RS6 Avant review | PH Video

The previous RS6 rewrote the fast wagon play book. Watch its replacement attempt to repeat the feat...

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The Audi RS6 hasn't always been held in such high regard. The original model, the 4.2-litre V8-powered C5, was guilty (among others) of helping to forge the firm's reputation for building austere, understeer-prone fast cars. Its replacement, the C6, memorably earned a 5.0-litre V10 as Audi went to plaid in a power-crazed effort to overhaul Mercedes and BMW. On the autobahn, it was sumo-grade and cemented the RS6's reputation for excess. But it wasn't necessarily the full ticket.

The C7 though, was too much to ignore. Sure, it had its faults. There are more rounded, rewarding big cars - several of them built by Audi's mortal enemies. But the outgoing RS6 was too savagely fast, too unapologetically effective and all too aware of what its buyers wanted to be easily dismissed. It looked gangster, and covered ground like rifle fire. In some ways it practically dared you not to like it - and then hooked you with the assuredness of an opiate; all warm-feeling and eager-to-please.

We loved it despite ourselves. When Matt B declared the then-new E63 S the superior wagon back in 2017, he was absolutely right. But by then it almost felt like the 605hp Performance model had almost nothing left to prove; it was still great in all the same implacable ways, and where it was found wanting it hardly seemed to matter. Few cars ever get to feel so comfy in their own skin. Which is why its such a deserving entrant on many people's if-I-had-the-money list.

It also makes it a conspicuously hard model to replace. Especially when Audi has felt it necessary to give the formula a judicious tweak. The C8 is built on a new platform and is a mild-hybrid to boot. It has a fresh look and a completely revitalised interior. But it is heavier and - on paper at least - not really any quicker than its predecessor. So the question is, does it weave the old sorcerer's spell? Is there something knowably brilliant about the new RS6? Or is it just another fast, large estate for the pile? Dan P has already pondered the question in print, but seeing is believing with this car. Cue the music...

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[big_rob_sydney]

Much prefer this over the visibility destroying high riding SUV's.

Still a fat fker though.

And £134k+ as tested. Council estate lads will be waiting a few years before they get their hands on one, unless they "borrow" it.

[Dave Hedgehog]

big_rob_sydney said:

And £134k+ as tested. Council estate lads will be waiting a few years before they get their hands on one, unless they "borrow" it.

how to dump100k in 3 years >.<

[Nezquick]

Is there anyone else out there that just doesn't "get" these?

I honestly couldn't ever see myself wanting one.

[Gitwhoismiserable]

Q8RS for me, prefer a higher COG and off-road ability

[scottygib553]

So much ability but I'd have zero interest. That's some arse it's carrying around.

[Dave Hedgehog]

Nezquick said:

Is there anyone else out there that just doesn't "get" these?

I honestly couldn't ever see myself wanting one.

i had the outgoing model with air suspension for a week, it looked great subtle but purposeful, was a fantastic daily driver (and the noise) and fairly sensibly priced when it was launched, running costs and depreciation are insane and 16mpg was not so good either. And its big, as wide as my parking space and 2 foot longer ...

its become a massively overpriced comic caricature of itself, a youtube influencers posing pouch

Edited by Dave Hedgehog on Thursday 13th February 11:48

[Turini]

We spec'd one on their configurator and had to stop when it broached £100k - nice car in so many ways but the extent and cost of the options seems excessive and designed to push the retail value up more than increase the desirability of the car. A starting price for the base of 3 models is £92,750 rising to £109,400 for the Carbon Black edition.... lot of money for an estate car no matter how fast and capable.

A new 992 with the right options can be had for less than £90k, I know that misses the point of it being a supercar estate but that would leave £25k left over for a nice toy or load lugger to get dirty with bikes, children and dogs (delete as appropriate)

[WCZ]

Dave Hedgehog said:

i had the outgoing model with air suspension for a week, it looked great subtle but purposeful, was a fantastic daily driver (and the noise) and fairly sensibly priced when it was launched, running costs and depreciation are insane and 16mpg was not so good either. And its big, as wide as my parking space and 2 foot longer ...

its become a massively overpriced comic caricature of itself, a youtube influencers posing pouch

Edited by Dave Hedgehog on Thursday 13th February 11:48

lots of people who make money illegally own RS6's, they are a good all rounder

[Pereldh]

Is it just me or is Dan usually quite pro-Audi/VW/Porsche...?

In any case this was a clip I did not watch even half of.. A car completely beheft of a soul if there ever was one.

[Augustus Windsock]

As ugly as my ex-wife.
Surely these will either be company cars (for directors etc) or in some dangled PCP deal?

[JuniorD]

So dull....you went all the way to German via the channel tunnel to produce that that?!

I can only imagine how dull the unused footage must have been.

[griffdude]

Would be an interesting comparison with an Alpina B5 Touring.

[Arsecati]

Absolutely 1000% most definitely yes. In black please.

[3rd]

How can it be a "UK Review" when you spent most of the time in Germany and Belgium?

[PSB1]

Nezquick said:

Is there anyone else out there that just doesn't "get" these?

I honestly couldn't ever see myself wanting one.

Then why comment on it? Bizarre behaviour.

[PSB1]

JuniorD said:

So dull....you went all the way to German via the channel tunnel to produce that that?!

I can only imagine how dull the unused footage must have been.

The footage must be positively riveting compared to your comment.

[JuniorD]

PSB1 said:

JuniorD said:

So dull....you went all the way to German via the channel tunnel to produce that that?!

I can only imagine how dull the unused footage must have been.

The footage must be positively riveting compared to your comment.

Yeah because comments are supposed to be amazingly wonderful and insightful, like your own?

[evojam]

Brilliant machine for atacking the outside lane of a smart motorway at 70mph in the wet

[NGK210]

As ever, a very useful getaway car for a bank heist. And I’m sure members of the Russian mafia tasked with body disposal during all weathers will also appreciate its talents and presence. As will chaps who favour lifts in their shoes and a pair of socks stuffed down the front of their black Versace Y-fronts.
BTW, nice vid. New director and editor? It must be galling that this vid will get c. 70,000 views, whereas amateur, smug dorks with high-pitched voices, self-filming with GoPros, overusing the phrases “hey guys!” and “it really puts a smile on my face!” will get views in the millions.
It is indeed a strange world.

[Court_S]

I really like the C7 which looked pretty tough without looking silly but I think this may have taken the styling too far. It does look a bit like a cartoon of a fast estate.

Audi have having a giraffe with the cost of some of those options....£6k for a stereo! Can’t help thinking there are better ways to spunk £130k on a car.