New Audi RS6 Avant to hit the streets in 2013

The all-wheel drive Audi RS6 Avant has reigned supreme in its class for quite a while. In its third generation, the new Audi RS6 Avant, instead of the predecessor’s 5.0-litre twin turbo V10 engine, sports an eco-friendly 4.0-litre V8 bi-turbo engine with cylinder-on-demand technology that combined with the large dual twin-scroll turbochargers mounted with the intercooler inside the engine’s V bank enable a 0-100km/h time of a mere 3.9 seconds.

The new car weighs 100kg less than the previous RS6 Avant, as about 20 per cent of its body is made of aluminium and high tensile steel. As result of the new engine and body, the new RS6 Avant’s fuel efficiency is boosted by 40 per cent in regular driving cycles. 

A practical five-door estate car with 1,680 litres of boot space and a four-cylinder petrol engine, its RS specific engine management system activates the dormant four cylinders and the engine makes 560PS of power between 5,700rpm and 6,700rpm, while an impressive 700Nm of torque is available from 1,750rpm to 5,500rpm. 

All that power is put down on the road via the company’s legendary Quattro all-wheel drive system which in the RS6 Avant is equipped with torque vectoring, a self locking centre differential with an elevated locking value. A sport differential is also active on the rear axle to distribute power seamlessly between the rear wheels. 

The large dual twin-scroll turbochargers mounted with the intercooler inside the engine’s V bank enable a 0-100km/h time of a mere 3.9 seconds. 

The engine is paired with an eight-speed tiptronic gearbox with reduced shift times to make the most of the ‘Sport’ and ‘Manual’ settings, there is also a ‘Drive’ mode for normal conditions. The eighth gear improves fuel efficiency while cruising on motorways.

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Its new shift light feature’s green display indicates gear changes, and approaching redline, it turns red. 

The new adaptive air suspension takes into account road conditions, driving style and the selected mode in the Audi drive select adaptive drive dynamics system to ensure the most appropriate ride quality. 

There is a sports suspension plus option with Dynamic Ride control that employs steel springs with three-way adjustable dampers that are interconnected diagonally with oil lines and a central valve for improved stability under dynamic driving conditions. 

The extensive options list however can take the car’s price to astronomical levels. It includes dynamic steering, three different sets of 21-inch alloy wheels (the standard rims are 20-inchers), two exterior packages (matte aluminium or carbon), LED headlights, ceramic brakes, head-up display, 1200-watt 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo, mobile phone preparation – High for web based service, a portfolio of high-performance driver assistance systems, sports exhaust system, Dynamic package to boost top speed from 248km/h to 278km/h and Dynamic plus package for a top speed of 302km/h. 

If this is Audi’s practical supercar of sorts, why not keep it in standard trim?

The car is expected to hit the UK market in early 2013 with an expected price of £77,000 (Rs 67,60,000). 

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