New 800hp Audi RS6 LE marks 130 years of Abt

First anniversary special gets gold accents, carbon aero and Alcantara everywhere - two more are to follow

By Matt Bird / Thursday, 19 March 2026 / Loading comments

They say you learn something new every day, so let’s try this: did you know that the Abt name was first used in business as a blacksmith’s? That was in April 1896, when Johann Baptist Abt - great name - took over a forge and workshop on Burgstrasse in Kempten. In 1920, his son formed the first partnership with Horch and Audi, taking the company racing in subsequent decades, with Auto-Abt established in 1967 and its first electronic performance upgrade launched in 1980. All of which means the 130th anniversary of Abt is imminent, and there aren’t many automotive companies that can claim quite so much heritage. So there are celebrations aplenty planned for 2026, with three special editions on the way; the first is a ‘vehicle that embodies the full expertise of the Allgau-based company.’

So, yes, it’s an 800hp RS6. Nothing wrong with giving the people what they want sometimes, particularly when Abt has enjoyed so much success with the uber Avant. Indeed, this new LE 800 is based on the Legacy Edition seen a few years ago, which celebrated 20 years of RS6s. But against this latest creation, the 2023 car looks positively underpowered and two-a-penny: what was a 200-unit, 760hp Abt edition now boasts 800hp, and only 30 will be produced. The power increase from the standard 600hp (or 630hp for an RS6 Performance) comes about thanks to the Power R software package, plus an Abt turbo and intercooler. With 723lb ft alongside, there’s not going to be much faster on the autobahn.

There won’t be much that looks faster, either, thanks to Abt’s visual rework; the outgoing C8 RS6 was never a subtle car, and now with a carbon aero kit plus 22-inch ‘Neodym’ wheels, it really means business. The black and gold theme runs throughout the LE 800, with gold badges contrasting against the black and Neodym flecks featuring in the carbon trim. There’s even an anniversary gold coin included for all 30 cars, ‘honouring the company's 130-year history and making every RS6-LE 800 an authentic witness to this remarkable era’. Probably the Abt exhaust, coilovers and anti-roll bars are more worthwhile changes, but then it’s not every year that your blacksmith-turned-tuner is marking 130 years…

Given the extent of the makeover, it should come as no surprise that an anniversary Abt doesn’t come cheap. It will ask each of its 30 customers for their RS6 plus €108,000 - or £93,000. Then another 13,640 euros, or almost £12k, for installation. More than £100,000, basically, which is a huge investment given a C8 is going to cost £65k on its own. On the other hand, that car could become an Abt limited edition for less than the price of an RS6 GT. So don’t be surprised if every LE 800 build slot is spoken for pretty soon. Then it’ll be time for whatever comes next. "This trilogy is our promise to everyone who shares our passion," said Hans-Jürgen Abt. "The RS6-LE 800 is just the beginning."