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.

[big_rob_sydney]

R.Sole said:

Terminator X said:

Nubiann said:

Spec an E63s and it gets to almost the same price but it still looks like a hearse outside and a cheap disco inside. It would also get stomped by the RS6 in a cross country sprint; spec up the M5 its almost the same but no option of an estate!

Both the afore mentioned have a RWD mode which is nothing but a chav shopping centre carpark drift mode but no criticism that neither can be driven fast on public roads in "drift" mode.

So yes its expensive but not more or less so than its competitors but Audi seems to get a bashing for its options. If you criticize one criticize all.

What the hell did anyone expect from this car its an RS6 it meant to be aggressive and ferociously fast, that the C8 can still despatch continents with ease but now adds focus and ability on the twisty stuff makes it my choice, minus a few options it is comparatively good value.

There are obviously too many potting shed pipe smoking morgan hankerers here. Zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Edited by Nubiann on Thursday 13th February 17:33

No one pays £100k for the M5 though + it is also 250kg less in weight and arguably more powerful eg 659hp on the dyno etc. Unless you are hooked on the RS6 looks not sure why you'd pay so much more for a car that seems already beaten up by rivals.

TX.

The indicators work?

I get that you're making fun of BMW drivers, but perhaps using an Audi as your benchmark was misplaced...

/irony

ps: no lexi were harmed in the production of this service message.