Ahead of its participation in our annual Performance Shoot, we put the mighty Audi RS 6 Performance through our road test programme. Keep in mind that you could still potentially have the family dog in the back while achieving these impressive figures…
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Ahead of a mandated switch to an all-electric future, Audi seems determined to make the most of its established internal combustion prowess. This German brand is also notably adept at creating fast station wagons!
The new RS 6 Performance introduces bespoke styling compared with the standard car, including a matte grey exterior finish on the mirrors, spoilers and roof rails, as well as, as the name suggests, increased performance.
Via larger turbochargers and an increase in boost pressure from 2,4 to 2,6 bar, the RS 6 Avant Performance (and its RS 7 Sportback Performance sibling) now deliver 463 kW and 850 N.m of torque – an increase of 22 kW and 50 N.m respectively – to all-four wheels via an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission and new self-locking centre differential.
One of our favourite features on the new Performance derivative is the considered deletion of up to 8kg of sound insulation from the rear of the car in order to enhance the amount of exhaust note that enters the cabin.
Able to send up to 70 per cent of torque to the front wheels and up to 85 per cent of twist to the rear axle should conditions dictate, on our test strip we were able to record a best 0-100 km/h sprint time of 3,78 seconds (as a reminder, we test all cars with a full tank of fuel and a passenger). We passed 140 km/h in 6,44 seconds from a standstill and glided through the quarter-mile mark in 11,74 seconds at a speed of 194,22 km/h. We covered one kilometre in 21 seconds flat, at a speed of 252 km/h.
In terms of in-gear acceleration, the RS6 Avant Performance shifted from 40 – 60 km/h in just 0,76 seconds, from 60 – 80 km/h in 0,82 seconds, 80-100 km/h sprint in 1,06 seconds, 100-120 km/h in 1,18 seconds and 120 – 140 km/h in 1,48 seconds.
Braking performance is another area where the RS6 Avant Performance holds its own. Its best stop is achieved in 2,66 seconds, while its worst stop recorded at 3,14 seconds. Our average of ten stops was 2,84 seconds and 39,92 metres.
Based on these figures, how do you think the RS 6 Performance fared on our annual Performance Shootout?
