Bartek S.
Aerodynamic Ace
The twisting roads of Targa Tasmania are a suitable location for Audi’s new high-performance wagon that’s more powerful than any Porsche.
Audi’s RS6 Avant can hold up to 1660 litres of luggage, but it’s the five litres of cargo under the super-wagon’s bonnet that counts.
The twin-turbocharged 5.0-litre V10 gives the RS6 an astonishing 426kW – more power than any current production Porsche on sale as well as all Ferraris except the 599 GTB Fiorano.
It’s also a higher output than any Lamborghini Gallardo, the origin of the RS6’s V10.
On the road, however, the $270,946 RS6 Avant feels more like a big-torque monster than a high-power machine.
While the Gallardo’s (naturally aspirated) V10 wails beyond 8000rpm, the RS6’s engine sounds relatively muted, before the rev limiter cuts in at just 6700rpm. (The engine note is even disappointing at Australian freeway speeds, with a constant drone at 110km/h.)
But there's no disappointment when you give the RS6's accelerator pedal a good prod.
The key to the RS6’s rocketing standing-start and in-gear acceleration is the 650Nm that lie between a vast engine-rev spread of 1500 and 6250rpm.
Even from standstill, the RS6 will reach 200km/h in 14.9 seconds - 2.7sec quicker than its still-quick predecessor.
Though be warned, because the RS6 Avant’s fuel consumption will also rocket, quickly draining the 80-litre fuel tank. The wagon comes with a 14.0L/100km sticker, though exploit the RS6’s performance and this rises easily above 21.0L/100km.
Full article: drive
