MODEL DETAILS
What: Audi RS 6 Avant
Era: Audi modern era
Model Family: RS 6
Market / Zone(s): AUS, CN, EU, JP, UK
Model Years: 2016, 2017, 2018
Production Span: 2015-2018
Number Produced:
Model / Generation Code(s): type 4G
Chassis / Matrix: C7.5 / MLB
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Body Style(s): 5-door Avant (estate / wagon)
Drivetrain Configuration: longitudinal front engine, all-wheel drive
Engine(s): 4.0-liter, 3,993 cc EA825 V8 Biturbo
Power: 445 kW (605 hp) @ 6,100–6,800 rpm
Torque: 700 Nm @ 1,750–6,000 rpm, 750 Nm (overboost) @ 2,500–5,500 rpm
Transmission(s): 8-speed (ZF 8HP95) Tiptronic, hydraulic torque converter with lock-up clutch
All-Wheel Drive Type: quattro permanent all-wheel drive with self-locking center differential, standard rear axle differential, 40% front / 60% rear torque distribution, Rear sport differential with active torque vectoring (optional)
Steering: Electromechanical progressive steering with speed-dependent power assistance
Steering Ratio: dynamic 9.5:1 to 17.0:1
Front Brake Diameter: 390 mm, 420 mm carbon ceramic (optional)
Rear Brake Diameter: 356 mm, 370 mm carbon ceramic (optional)
Wheelbase: 2,915 mm (114.8 in)
Length: 4,995 mm (196.7 in)
Width: 1,936 mm body, 1,951 mm with mirrors
Height: approx. 1,461 mm
Curb Weight: 2,040 kg (4,497 lbs)
PERFORMANCE
Acceleration (0-62 mph (0-100 km/h): 3.7 sconds
Top Speed: 250 km/h, 155.3 mph (standard). 280 kmh (optional), 305 km/h (with Dynamic Package)
CHASSIS & SUSPENSION DETAILS
Front suspension: Five-link aluminum axle
Rear suspension: Trapezoidal-link aluminum axle
Standard suspension: RS adaptive air suspension. Ride height lowered by 20 mm
Optional suspension: RS sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC)
Steering: Electromechanical power steering, Dynamic steering (optional)
Drive modes: Audi drive select (Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Individual)
BRAKE DETAILS
Standard brakes: Internally ventilated steel discs with wave design
Front brake diameter: 390 mm
Front calipers: Six-piston
Optional brakes: Carbon fiber-ceramic discs
Electronic stability control: ESC with Sport mode and full deactivation
WHEEL / TIRE DETAILS
Wheel Size(s): 9.5Jx21
Wheel Design: 5 V-spoke star design “tarantula” with matte titanium / gloss turned finish and silver or anthracite black finishes optional
Tire Size(s): 285/30ZR21
Bolt Pattern: 5×112
Offset: ET25
CAPACITIES DETAILS
Seating capacity: 5
Cargo capacity: 564 liters (rear seats up), 1,680 liters (rear seats folded)
OTHER DETAILS
Predecessor: Audi RS 6 Avant (C7)
Successor: Audi RS 6 Avant (C8)
Platform Mates: Audi A6, Audi S6
Concept Cars:
Assembly Location(s): Audi AG Neckarsulm
Designer(s): Stephan Fahr-Becker
Motorsport Homologations:
INTERIOR EQUIPMENT DETAILS
Seats: RS sport seats with integrated head restraints
Upholstery options: Leather / Alcantara combinations
Instrumentation: RS-specific displays with overboost indicator
Infotainment: MMI navigation plus
Climate control: Four-zone automatic climate control
PRICING AT LAUNCH
Base Price: €117,000
DERIVATIVES
- Audi RS 6
SUMMARY
The Audi RS 6 Avant performance is a high-performance executive estate car produced by Audi Sport as the range-topping version of the Audi RS 6 Avant. Introduced as part of Audi’s updated “performance” model designation strategy, it represents a more powerful and dynamically focused evolution of the standard RS 6 Avant, combining supercar-level acceleration with everyday usability and long-distance efficiency.
The RS 6 Avant performance was developed for the European market and debuted alongside the RS 7 Sportback performance, with both models sharing mechanical and technological updates derived from Audi Sport’s experience with RS-branded vehicles.
OVERVIEW
The RS 6 Avant performance builds upon the fourth-generation RS 6 Avant by increasing engine output, refining drivetrain calibration, and introducing performance-specific chassis and design features. Audi positioned the model at the top of the RS 6 range, emphasizing both enhanced dynamic capability and efficiency through advanced engine management and cylinder deactivation technology.
Deliveries in Europe began in late 2016, with Germany serving as the lead market.
ENGINE & PERFORMANCE
The RS 6 Avant performance is powered by a 4.0-liter V8 TFSI twin-turbocharged petrol engine with a displacement of 3,993 cc. This version represents the most powerful production variant of Audi’s 4.0 TFSI engine at the time of its introduction.
Maximum output is rated at 445 kW (605 hp), available between 6,100 and 6,800 rpm, with peak torque of 700 Nmavailable from 1,750 to 6,000 rpm. An electronically controlled overboost function temporarily increases torque to 750 Nm between 2,500 and 5,500 rpm under full load when the drivetrain is set to dynamic mode.
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is achieved in 3.7 seconds, representing an improvement of 0.2 seconds over the standard RS 6 Avant. Acceleration from 0 to 200 km/h takes 12.1 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h, with optional increases to 280 km/h or 305 km/h when equipped with the dynamic package.
Despite the increase in power, combined fuel consumption under the ECE cycle is rated at 9.6 liters per 100 kilometers, with CO₂ emissions of 223 g/km.
DRIVETRAIN
Power is transmitted through an eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission, specifically calibrated for high-performance applications. Gear ratios are closely spaced in the lower gears for rapid acceleration, while the eighth gear is optimized for reduced engine speed during cruising.
The RS 6 Avant performance features quattro permanent all-wheel drive as standard, using a center differential with a default torque split of 40 percent front and 60 percent rear. Torque distribution is continuously variable, supported by wheel-selective torque control.
An optional rear sport differential actively varies torque between the rear wheels, enhancing agility and stability during high-speed cornering.
CHASSIS & SUSPENSION
The RS 6 Avant performance is equipped as standard with RS adaptive air suspension, which lowers the ride height by 20 millimeters compared with the standard A6 Avant. Damping is continuously adjusted based on driving conditions, vehicle dynamics, and the selected drive mode.
As an alternative, Audi offers RS sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC), featuring steel springs and hydraulically interconnected dampers designed to reduce body roll and pitch during dynamic driving.
Additional chassis options include dynamic steering with a continuously variable steering ratio, integrated into the Audi drive select system.
BRAKING SYSTEM
The standard braking system consists of internally ventilated wave-design steel discs, measuring 390 mm at the front, clamped by six-piston calipers. The wave design reduces unsprung mass by approximately three kilograms compared with conventional brake discs.
Optional carbon-fiber ceramic brakes further reduce weight by approximately ten kilograms and offer increased resistance to fade under repeated high-load conditions. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) includes a Sport mode and can be fully deactivated.
EXTERIOR DESIGN
The RS 6 Avant performance features performance-specific exterior elements that distinguish it from the standard RS 6 Avant. These include revised front and rear bumpers, enlarged air intakes, flared side sills, and a pronounced rear diffuser.
Matte titanium-effect accents are applied to the Singleframe grille surround, exterior mirror housings, window trim, roof rails, and diffuser insert. A quattro logo is integrated into the front air intake duct. Audi also offers optional exterior styling packages in carbon fiber, gloss black, or matte aluminum.
The model is fitted as standard with 21-inch alloy wheels in a five-V-spoke star design, exclusive to the RS 6 Avant performance.
INTERIOR & EQUIPMENT
The interior features RS sport seats with integrated head restraints and pronounced side bolsters. An optional RS performance design package introduces Alcantara and leather upholstery with honeycomb stitching, blue contrast details, and carbon twill blue decorative inlays.
RS-specific displays are featured throughout the cabin, including a boost pressure indicator that changes color when overboost is active. The Audi MMI navigation plus system, four-zone automatic climate control, and a premium sound system are standard equipment.
Cargo capacity ranges from 564 liters with the rear seats in place to 1,680 liters with the seats folded, retaining the practicality expected of an executive estate.
PRODUCTION & AVAILABILITY
The Audi RS 6 Avant performance was produced for the European market and offered through Audi Sport dealerships. In Germany, the model launched with a base price of €117,000, excluding options and market-specific taxes.
The RS 6 Avant performance formed part of Audi’s broader “performance” sub-designation strategy, applied to select RS models positioned above the standard RS lineup.
LEGACY
The RS 6 Avant performance reinforced Audi’s position in the high-performance estate segment, combining everyday practicality with acceleration and power figures comparable to contemporary supercars. It is widely regarded as one of the most extreme factory-produced performance wagons of its era, contributing to the RS 6 Avant’s reputation as a benchmark in the segment.
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