Vs Audi RS6 vs Mercedes E63 AMG review - AutoExpress
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JHF
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We test out the Audi RS6 on British roads for the first time and have video of it against the E63 AMG
Verdict
4
THE RS6 has the straight-line performance to shame a 911, plus the added benefit of an interior spacious enough for a family to live with every day. It’s undoubtedly capable in bends, too, but it doesn’t have the same level of engagement you get from dedicated sports cars like the Porsche, and nor is it as engaging as the Mercedes E63 AMG.
Testing performance cars in the wet is never ideal, but in the UK it’s occasionally unavoidable. It’s good, then, that the latest Audi RS6 didn’t just feel capable on damp Leicestershire roads; it actually shone.
The twin-turbo 5.0-litre V10 from the previous RS6 has been ditched in favour of a twin-turbo 552bhp 4.0-litre V8, but the all-important quattro four-wheel-drive system remains. And it’s this combination that allowed us to set a 0-62mph time of 3.6 seconds in the RS6 – in the wet. That sort of straight line pace puts it on a par with the likes of the Ferrari FF and the Lamborghini Gallardo.
Officially, Audi claims a 0-62mph time of 3.9 seconds. That’s stil seven-tenths quicker than the old car’s 0-62mph time, despite power dropping by 20bhp. You can thank the extra torque, 100kg weight saving, new eight-speed auto box and launch control system for the improvements. But it’s not just off the line that the RS6 feels quick – accelerate hard at 80mph and there’s an aggressive hit of neck-snapping torque.
Take the RS6 through some corners, and you’ll find it has the same unflappable stability and grip as other performance four-wheel-drive Audis. The steering gets quicker and weights up to provide almost instant turn-in, and flooring the throttle on the way out of a bend barely does anything to unsettle it.
Yet while it’s very capable, a Mercedes E63 AMG provides far more in the way of adjustability and involvement. Still, we were surprised by just how comfortable the RS6 is. With the Dynamic suspension fitted – a £1,000 option – it’s compliant over bumps even in its firmest setting, and in Comfort mode it’s not far off a VW Golf, with a gentle cushioning over rough roads.
The RS6 is pretty sensible on fuel economy, too. By fitting a cylinder deactivation system and dropping two cylinders, Audi has improved fuel consumption by 30 per cent over the old car. It now officially stands at 28.8mpg – although after one particularly hard drive with us, the trip computer read 13mpg.
Then, of course, there’s the practicality, with a 565-litre boot and spacious rear seats. For all its abilities, though, the RS6 commands a hefty price tag. It starts from £75,500, but add a couple of options and it’ll quickly exceed £80,000. The E63 AMG is in similar territory, and while it may be down on performance, from behind the wheel it feels more desirable.
www.autoexpress.co.uk
Verdict
4
THE RS6 has the straight-line performance to shame a 911, plus the added benefit of an interior spacious enough for a family to live with every day. It’s undoubtedly capable in bends, too, but it doesn’t have the same level of engagement you get from dedicated sports cars like the Porsche, and nor is it as engaging as the Mercedes E63 AMG.
Testing performance cars in the wet is never ideal, but in the UK it’s occasionally unavoidable. It’s good, then, that the latest Audi RS6 didn’t just feel capable on damp Leicestershire roads; it actually shone.
The twin-turbo 5.0-litre V10 from the previous RS6 has been ditched in favour of a twin-turbo 552bhp 4.0-litre V8, but the all-important quattro four-wheel-drive system remains. And it’s this combination that allowed us to set a 0-62mph time of 3.6 seconds in the RS6 – in the wet. That sort of straight line pace puts it on a par with the likes of the Ferrari FF and the Lamborghini Gallardo.
Officially, Audi claims a 0-62mph time of 3.9 seconds. That’s stil seven-tenths quicker than the old car’s 0-62mph time, despite power dropping by 20bhp. You can thank the extra torque, 100kg weight saving, new eight-speed auto box and launch control system for the improvements. But it’s not just off the line that the RS6 feels quick – accelerate hard at 80mph and there’s an aggressive hit of neck-snapping torque.
Take the RS6 through some corners, and you’ll find it has the same unflappable stability and grip as other performance four-wheel-drive Audis. The steering gets quicker and weights up to provide almost instant turn-in, and flooring the throttle on the way out of a bend barely does anything to unsettle it.
Yet while it’s very capable, a Mercedes E63 AMG provides far more in the way of adjustability and involvement. Still, we were surprised by just how comfortable the RS6 is. With the Dynamic suspension fitted – a £1,000 option – it’s compliant over bumps even in its firmest setting, and in Comfort mode it’s not far off a VW Golf, with a gentle cushioning over rough roads.
The RS6 is pretty sensible on fuel economy, too. By fitting a cylinder deactivation system and dropping two cylinders, Audi has improved fuel consumption by 30 per cent over the old car. It now officially stands at 28.8mpg – although after one particularly hard drive with us, the trip computer read 13mpg.
Then, of course, there’s the practicality, with a 565-litre boot and spacious rear seats. For all its abilities, though, the RS6 commands a hefty price tag. It starts from £75,500, but add a couple of options and it’ll quickly exceed £80,000. The E63 AMG is in similar territory, and while it may be down on performance, from behind the wheel it feels more desirable.
Audi RS6 Avant review | Auto Express
We test out the Audi RS6 on British roads for the first time and have video of it against the E63 AMG
www.autoexpress.co.uk
donkeykong
Track Technician
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Jeez Audi,is it impossible to provide steering feedback from your performance vehicles? I'd take the E63 in this case,I think it looks fantastic. Not as attractive as the RS6 in my opinion,but the facelift is major improvement in the AMG trim.
JHF
Driving Dynamics Pro
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One reason is, it has too much weight out front ahead of the front axle. But Audi knows that, and in some case many Audi will understeer, but not all of them. The New RS6 understeer less than the old one still.
mini_cooper4
Autotechnik Ace
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In my book it goes like that:
Driving - E63 over both the M5 and the RS6.
Looks - RS6 then M5 and the E63 is a distant last.
Tho I still see no real reason to own any of them
Driving - E63 over both the M5 and the RS6.
Looks - RS6 then M5 and the E63 is a distant last.
Tho I still see no real reason to own any of them
Tumbo
RPM Ruler
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Woohoo!Tomorrow in AutoBild Sportscars: RS6 vs E63 AMG S T-model performance test @ Sachsenring
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From AutoBild Sportscars 08/2013
Audi RS6 Avant (Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S T-model)
0-50 km/h: 1,5 s (1,6 s)
0-100 km/h: 3,6 s (3,8 s)
0-130 km/h: 5,4 s (5,8 s)
0-160 km/h: 7,9 s (8,3 s)
0-200 km/h: 12,4 s (12,4 s)
Quarter mile: 11,68 s (11,84 s)
Sachsenring: 1:39,5 min (1:39,0 min)
Audi RS6 Avant (Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S T-model)
0-50 km/h: 1,5 s (1,6 s)
0-100 km/h: 3,6 s (3,8 s)
0-130 km/h: 5,4 s (5,8 s)
0-160 km/h: 7,9 s (8,3 s)
0-200 km/h: 12,4 s (12,4 s)
Quarter mile: 11,68 s (11,84 s)
Sachsenring: 1:39,5 min (1:39,0 min)
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According to AutoBild SC M5 does 0-100 in 3,9 and 0-200 kph in 11,8 s. They did not test the E63 S Sedan yet. Old E63 PP did 4,1 and 12,6 sec.Wow, it aint getting closer than that. Now we need M5 Competition package as well.
Zafiro
Supreme Roadmaster
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According to AutoBild SC M5 does 0-100 in 3,9 and 0-200 kph in 11,8 s. They did not test the E63 S Sedan yet. Old E63 PP did 4,1 and 12,6 sec.
But there been M5 vs E63 S comparison, maybe it was Autozeitung?
mini_cooper4
Autotechnik Ace
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These days a combi is not much slower than my ex car... even a bit faster from 0-100km/h. and just 1.4sec. slower to 200km/h................ DAMN! The LP is still in production which means these two compete with a current supercar... at least on a straight line!
Tumbo
RPM Ruler
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And all this talk from the MB fanboys that their baby was gonna smoke the RS6. Muhaha! Eat your words now. Audi 1 - MB 0
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100-200 kph: 8,8 s (RS6) / 8,6 s (E63)
Sachsenring: 1:39,5 (RS6) / 1:39,0 (E63)
It's not "smoking", but neither an RS6-win.
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