RE Geneva Motor Show 2013: Audi

RE Geneva Motor Show 2013: Audi

Wednesday 6th March 2013

Geneva Motor Show 2013: Audi

New RS6 is business as usual for Quattro GmbH; RS Q3 something new, and the first RS SUV



If you hadn't caught on already the Audi stand at an international motor show is where the sheer scale and perceived dominance of the brand really hits home. Along with the homogeneity of some of the design. Obviously Audis aren't exactly a rare sight on the road but when confronted with a vast display of them picking out the one you were looking for isn't always easy, especially when they're all painted the same colour. There's the new RS6! No, hang on, it's an RS4. Is that the S3? Nope, some sort of -Tron suffixed hybrid thingy.

New RS6 has 'downsized' to twin-turbo V8
New RS6 has 'downsized' to twin-turbo V8
To be fair to the new RS6 it wasn't that hard to pick out. It was the one with black wheels. And it does look pretty damned mean, if not entirely dissimilar to the two previous RS6s. Surprise! Not sure about this new fashion for the Quattro script in the front valance - maybe that was the additional uberholprestige boss Rupert Stadler was on about at the preview night to set the RS apart from the hordes of S Line wannabes.

You can read the details of the tech spec in our earlier article here but the headlines are 560hp from the 'downsized' 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with a mighty 516lb ft of torque driving the already ubiquitous ZF eight-speeder. 0-62 is in 3.9 seconds and you can have the 155mph limiter raised to 174mph or 189mph. And it'll do nearly 30mpg thanks to cylinder cut-off.

300hp for five-door Sportback version of new S3
300hp for five-door Sportback version of new S3
Similar stats to the RS7 Sportback, which is making its European debut here too, as it happens. Another hot Sportback was also making its debut - this time the S3. It'll take an RS version to really offer a rival to the A45 AMG unveiled across the way at Mercedes but you can be sure Quattro GmbH will be looking closely at AMG's entry into the four-wheel drive premium mega hatch market.

Then there's the RS Q3 which, surprisingly, was in amongst the general ranks of Audi models. An RS-branded SUV? Well, few surprises there and it is what it is.

Moving swiftly on Audi also unveiled its new 2013 DTM RS5, which looks suitable mean and moody and was driven onto the stage by new Brit signing Jamie Green, poached from Mercedes. Enough to take on the winning BMW M3 this year? If looks could kill and all that..

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Author
Discussion

Andy ap

Original Poster:

1,147 posts

171 months

Wednesday 6th March 2013
quotequote all
That is one bad ass looking car. loving the grill, the shape of the lights and the wheels. But hate the fairy lights.

toppstuff

13,698 posts

246 months

Wednesday 6th March 2013
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I must admit to having quite a crush on big fast quattro estate Audis.

If I was speaking to an Audi engineer, however, I would have one question; Whats with the rubbish ride quality dude? Why can't your cars be better damped? They tend to crash and skip rather than flow. I'd like to understand why they build them this way. Recently tried the new RS4 and I really didnt like the ride.

Otherwise, lovely cars.

zcacogp

11,239 posts

243 months

Wednesday 6th March 2013
quotequote all
Far, far, far too flash. Impressive figures indeed but the look-at-me styling coupled with the hideous ride quality strongly suggest that those figures are meant to be bandied around in pubs rather than used on the roads.

Shame. The Audi of the '80's and early '90's could have so easily have gone in a much better direction than it did.


Oli.

epom

11,400 posts

160 months

Wednesday 6th March 2013
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RS6 looks just wonderful, not overtly flashy, but with just enough menace smile

Ali_T

3,379 posts

256 months

Wednesday 6th March 2013
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The RS3 is also going to have to be a LOT cheaper next time around.

Ex Boy Racer

1,151 posts

191 months

Wednesday 6th March 2013
quotequote all
zcacogp said:
Far, far, far too flash. Impressive figures indeed but the look-at-me styling coupled with the hideous ride quality strongly suggest that those figures are meant to be bandied around in pubs rather than used on the roads.

Shame. The Audi of the '80's and early '90's could have so easily have gone in a much better direction than it did.


Oli.
How do you know about the ride quality? I didn't think that anyone had driven one yet...

waltergti

62 posts

172 months

Wednesday 6th March 2013
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Any pictures of the RS7?

jeremyc

23,336 posts

283 months

Wednesday 6th March 2013
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Whatever happened to the Quattro Concept?


Vaggingquick

12,543 posts

180 months

Wednesday 6th March 2013
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Noticed Vag have all gone for the red look.
Way beyond my price though.

Jacobyte

4,718 posts

241 months

Wednesday 6th March 2013
quotequote all
Ex Boy Racer said:
zcacogp said:
Far, far, far too flash. Impressive figures indeed but the look-at-me styling coupled with the hideous ride quality strongly suggest that those figures are meant to be bandied around in pubs rather than used on the roads.

Shame. The Audi of the '80's and early '90's could have so easily have gone in a much better direction than it did.


Oli.
How do you know about the ride quality? I didn't think that anyone had driven one yet...
Indeed, the C6 RS6 has surprisingly good ride quality in "Comfort" mode (it's switchable through Comfort/Dynamic/Sport); in fact many compare it favourably with the A8's ride. One would expect the C7 to continue that theme.

Remember, this isn't a slammed S-Line dagdag. wink

Dion20vt

252 posts

161 months

Wednesday 6th March 2013
quotequote all
jeremyc said:
Whatever happened to the Quattro Concept?

Didnt they call it the RS5???

jeremyc

23,336 posts

283 months

Wednesday 6th March 2013
quotequote all
Dion20vt said:
jeremyc said:
Whatever happened to the Quattro Concept?

Didnt they call it the RS5???
No - this came after the RS5 but used a modified version of it's platform, and was planned to use a different engine.
Article said:
The genes of the A5 and RS5 on which the Quattro Concept is based are evident in the curvy haunches, although the car's wheelbase has been shortened by 150mm.

The aluminium spaceframe also gets help from carbon fibre ... the 402bhp, 2.5-litre turbocharged five-pot from the TT RS ...[/article]

MycroftWard

5,983 posts

212 months

Wednesday 6th March 2013
quotequote all
Looks impressive both visually and on paper.

Dion20vt

252 posts

161 months

Wednesday 6th March 2013
quotequote all
jeremyc said:
o - this came after the RS5 but used a modified version of it's platform, and was planned to use a different engine.
Article said:
The genes of the A5 and RS5 on which the Quattro Concept is based are evident in the curvy haunches, although the car's wheelbase has been shortened by 150mm.

The aluminium spaceframe also gets help from carbon fibre ... the 402bhp, 2.5-litre turbocharged five-pot from the TT RS ...[/article]
Ah i see - they probably didnt want to step on their own toes with already offering the RS5, RS3 and TT RS as coupe(type) cars. another "Quattro" would make all their other RS models look as common as a S-line!

Adenauer

18,564 posts

235 months

Wednesday 6th March 2013
quotequote all
Loving the RS6 but why the S-Line bashing?

I can't afford an RS6 but like the extra bits you get with the S-Line package so have an A6 S-Line. Why does that make me a wannabee? confused

toppstuff

13,698 posts

246 months

Wednesday 6th March 2013
quotequote all
Adenauer said:
Loving the RS6 but why the S-Line bashing?

I can't afford an RS6 but like the extra bits you get with the S-Line package so have an A6 S-Line. Why does that make me a wannabee? confused
Yep. That's told you. Hope you learned your lesson. wink

On a serious note, I had an S line A4 a while back and the ride was awful. That ( and the poor reliability ) put me off Audi for years.

I thought I would take a look at the new RS4 and the ride on that car is even worse. I have no idea what Audi are playing at.

A friend has an A7 and that rides nicely.

Maybe I am a Jag man, or getting old, but firm unyielding ride quality really bugs me. My business partner tried the TTRS the other day. Again, the ride was super stiff and unyielding , the whole car got thrown about on corners with poor surfaces, slowing progress right down..

Maybe other sporty Audis ride better. But in the main my experience of S line has been pretty negative.

jl34

523 posts

236 months

Wednesday 6th March 2013
quotequote all
my god that front end is ugly

SuperNiceBig

641 posts

232 months

Wednesday 6th March 2013
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Nice and "thugish" One day.

adzpz

185 posts

167 months

Wednesday 6th March 2013
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RS3 styling is awful, RS6 gets my vote!

Escort Si-130

3,270 posts

179 months

Wednesday 6th March 2013
quotequote all
Looks nice, but never been a fan of black wheels (only suited to black cars imo), the silver wheels look better on it.