Outstanding performance and the ultimate in dynamics – the new Audi RS 6 Avant is the high-performance product in business-class motoring. It brings Audi’s winning motor sport technologies to the road. A newly developed V10 biturbo gasoline engine with FSI direct injection plus quattro permanent all-wheel drive puts the new RS 6 Avant out in front of the competition. Its 426 kW (580 bhp) and torque of 650 Nm create an unparalleled experience of power and dynamism. And yet the Audi RS 6 Avant also offers uncompromising comfort and benefits for everyday driving.
The biturbo V10 accelerates the Audi RS 6 Avant at super sports car speed, catapulting it from zero to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and then on to an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h, which can optionally be increased to 280 km/h. The six-speed tiptronic numbers among a new generation of highly responsive automatic transmissions. Designed for active driving, it transfers the huge engine torques to a quattro driveline, which affords extremely dynamic roadability with its slight rear-axle bias.
A dynamic partner – the sport suspension
The sport suspension is ideally matched to the power of the V10 FSI. A fluid-mechanical system called DRC Dynamic Ride Control adjusts the shock absorbers at lightning speed, while the optional sport suspension plus enables the damping characteristic to be set to three different levels. The car comes standard with 19" aluminum wheels, and 20" wheels are available as an option. Installed behind them are the kind of brawny brakes that are used in motor sport; ceramic brake discs are also optionally available for the front and rear axles.
Like all Audi RS models developed and manufactured by quattro GmbH, the new RS 6 Avant stands for the ultimate in sportiness, for power and elegant styling, for exclusivity and for impeccable quality. It has become traditional for Audi to unite the dynamics of the RS concept with the high utility value of an Avant: The very first Audi RS 2, dating back to the year 1993, was built exclusively as an Avant model, and customers still especially appreciate this elegantly functional body style.
The new Audi RS 6, too, will initially be available only as an Avant, offering the unrivaled combination of 426 kW (580 bhp) and up to 1,660 liters of luggage space. The launch of the Audi RS 6 Avant is set for April 2008; its base price in Germany will be €106,900, including value-added tax.
ENGINE
The RS 6 Avant – the world’s most powerful wagon
With an output of 426 kW (580 bhp), torque of 650 Nm, acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h (optional: 280 km/h), the new Audi RS 6 Avant raises the bar for performance dynamics to new heights in the business class. The tiptronic automatic transmission and quattro permanent all-wheel drive transfer all of the immense forces to the road, without any losses; and the performance of the chassis, too, is equally uncompromising with DRC Dynamic Ride Control and heavy-duty brakes. Like all RS models from Audi, the new RS 6 Avant adheres to a strict philosophy – to achieve the ultimate in sporty performance without sacrificing suitability for everyday driving.
Breathtaking power and fascinating dynamics – the Audi RS 6 Avant lends new meaning to the term high-performance. Its 426 kW (580 bhp) make it the most powerful model in the current Audi portfolio and the most powerful production vehicle ever to bear the four-ring emblem. Its high horsepower also places it well above any competitor in the upper business category – it is simply the most powerful production wagon in the world.
The engine in the RS 6 Avant, whose power output comes from a displacement of 4,991 cc, is based on the V10 powerplants installed in the Audi S6 and Audi S8, but nearly all of its details have been newly developed. With its combination of a ten-cylinder layout, FSI direct fuel injection, two turbochargers and the same kind of dry-sump lubrication used in motor racing, this engine is totally unlike anything the competition has to offer. In terms of its power-to-weight ratio, too, the RS 6 Avant can rival the sports car elite: Every horsepower has to propel just 3.5 kg.
The turbocharging system provides extremely high and consistent delivery of the torque across almost the engine’s entire rpm range. Its maximum torque is an awesome 650 Nm, available from 1,500 to 6,250 rpm, while maximum power output is produced between 6,250 rpm and the engine’s top speed of 6,700 rpm.
The biturbo V10 catapults the Audi RS 6 Avant to the level of a high-performance sports car. Accelerating from zero to 100 km/h takes just 4.6 seconds, and the sprint to the 200 km/h mark a mere 14.9 seconds. The speed then keeps on rising rapidly until 250 km/h, at which point the speed governor gently intervenes. Audi also offers a higher top speed of 280 km/h as an option.
The ten-cylinder engine makes for fascinating driving in every situation. It closely and tenaciously follows the action of the accelerator pedal, instantly responding to even the slightest movement with a burst of acceleration. Its dual-branch exhaust system with two oval tailpipes accompanies the acceleration with a full, rich sporty sound, which perfectly rounds out this car’s high-performance profile.
The V10 – the ideal sport engine
A turbocharged ten-cylinder powerplant is the ideal recipe for sporty, dynamic performance. It has fewer components, lighter moving masses and less internal friction than a similar twelve-cylinder engine; the result is higher efficiency. Moreover, it is lighter and more compact – with all ancillaries, the engine in the new Audi RS 6 Avant measures only 670 mm in length, 790 mm in width and 655 mm in height. The length of the bare engine is 560 mm.
The V10 is a member of the Audi family of V-engines, which are all designed with a 90-degree included angle between cylinder banks and center-to-center spacing of 90 millimeters between cylinders. The offset between the two banks is 18.5 mm. The cylinder bore is 84.5 mm, the stroke 89.0 mm.
The crankcase is manufactured of hyper-eutectic aluminum alloy by means of low-pressure die-casting. This high-tech material unites low weight with high strength. The cylinder barrels of the single-piece crankcase are honed to mechanically expose the hard silicon crystals. The complete engine weighs only 278 kilograms – an outstanding achievement in the five-liter class.
A so-called bedplate design – an intermediate frame – gives the crankcase extremely high torsional rigidity and improves its vibrational behavior. Its cast-in bearing bridges, made from gray cast iron, reduce thermal expansion of the aluminum crankcase and keep the crankshaft’s main bearing clearances to within tight tolerances. The crankcase design features cross-flow cooling and has no ventilation openings between the crank chambers (pneumatic spring engine). This serves to recover energy at engine speeds of 2,500 rpm and higher, thus enhancing both power and fuel efficiency. The high-strength con rods are made of forged steel and the pistons, which are equipped with newly developed ring packages, are aluminum alloy. The common-pin forged steel crankshaft provides both increased strength and lower weight.
Dry-sump lubrication – for the ultimate in sporty driving
To meet the utmost demands in driving dynamics, a dry-sump lubrication system, known for its proven effectiveness in motor racing, was implemented in developing the engine’s oil circulation system. It features an extremely elaborate external oil tank and oil pump module, operating with numerous different vacuum stages. This ensures that lubricant is supplied to all engine components and the two turbochargers under all conditions – even at the extreme lateral acceleration forces of over 1.2 g of which the RS 6 Avant is capable. As a result, the dry-sump lubrication system has sheer limitless reserves, even under racetrack conditions.
The hydraulic variable valve timing system continuously adjusts all four camshafts through a crankshaft angle range of 42 degrees to vary valve overlap in response to engine loads and speeds. This optimizes volumetric efficiency for more effective combustion.
The camshafts, the oil pump module and the ancillary components are driven by maintenance-free chains at the rear of the engine. The valves, which are actuated by roller cam followers with hydraulic tappets, have a diameter of 33.9 mm on the intake side and 28.0 mm for the exhaust valves. To withstand high thermal loads, the exhaust valves are sodium-filled for improved cooling.
The fine oil separator that is integrated into the cylinder head works in accordance with the “Multitwister” separation principle, which ensures that the oil is returned directly to the cylinder head.
The V10 in the new Audi RS 6 Avant operates by means of FSI direct fuel injection. A common rail injection system injects the fuel directly into the combustion chambers at a pressure of 120 bar. The vacuum-controlled charge tumble flaps in the CVTS flange impart a tumbling motion to the intake air at engine speeds of up to 3,500 rpm – this circular motion perpendicular to the cylinder axis enhances combustion efficiency.
In combination with turbocharging, FSI becomes TFSI – bringing together two technologies that complement one another perfectly. The swirling of the fuel helps to absorb heat from the combustion chamber walls – this solves the old problem of high heat build-up in turbocharged engines. In the V10 for the RS 6 Avant, the Audi engineers have implemented an unusually high compression ratio of 10.5:1, which produces excellent combustion efficiency. This is why the V10 biturbo contents itself with standard-cycle fuel consumption of 14.0 liters of premium gasoline per 100 km – very good fuel efficiency considering its power potential. Exhaust gas after-treatment is accomplished by means of two preliminary and two main catalytic converters. Thanks to their proximity to the engine, they rapidly reach operating temperature, and thus full effectiveness, after the engine is started.
Audi’s TFSI technology has garnered an outstanding series of victories in motor sport. The R8 racer equipped with it drove to five overall wins in the Le Mans 24 Hours as well as numerous successes in other events. In the Audi RS 6 Avant, the TFSI engine is managed by a highly advanced Motronic system called the MED 9.1.2. It operates with ten individual pencil coils and two separate control units in accordance with the master/slave principle. For the first time in this class, engine load is measured by a pressure sensor in the intake manifold.
Piling on the pressure – the two turbochargers
The single-stage intake manifold made from pressure die-cast aluminum is equipped with a multifunctional cover and features two separate air paths with two turbochargers and air filters. The pressure sensor built into the intake manifold supplies the necessary data for the innovative p/n control system. The two integral turbocharger modules – one per cylinder bank – develop pressures of up to 0.7 bar. At full load, they have the theoretical capacity to compress 2,200 cubic meters of air per hour. The clamping flange joints allow optimum longitudinal thermal expansion of the integral modules, and the kind of continuous insulation shell used in aerospace engineering minimizes energy input into the engine compartment. The turbochargers and the entire air intake system have been optimized for spontaneous, virtually instantaneous response, and suitably sized intake apertures in the front apron provide the airstreams for the two large charge air coolers.
DRIVETRAIN
A new level of dynamics
The engine’s exceptional power output of 426 kW (580 bhp) necessitates an appropriately superior drivetrain. The new Audi RS 6 Avant comes standard with the latest generation of the tiptronic automatic transmission, designed with six forward gears for sporty performance. It transfers the engine’s torque to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive, which itself is also built for the ultimate in driving dynamics.
The tiptronic six-speed automatic transmission represents the vanguard of a new generation of drivetrains that are now entering service throughout the Audi portfolio. It is extremely compact and light, and harmonizes perfectly with the dynamic character of the RS 6 Avant. Its torque converter, which operates in the activated lock-up mode most of the time, its hydraulics and its electronic management system, which adapts to individual driving styles, have been optimized for direct coupling to the engine. Response time has been shortened to a tenth of a second and shifting time has been cut in half – with kickdown responding in less than a second.
A deliberately short set of transmission ratios was chosen; even in sixth gear, the most powerful production Audi of all time offers impressive acceleration.
The driver can select the sport mode “S” with the selector lever; the shift point maps are then altered for higher engine speeds. Shifting can also be performed manually with either the lever or the shift paddles. The aluminum-look paddles are located behind the steering wheel rim and turn with it.
Driving pleasure and stability – the quattro driveline
As is typical for an Audi, the new Audi RS 6 Avant also relies on quattro permanent all-wheel drive with the superior traction and exhilarating driving pleasure it offers under all conditions. The quattro driveline is yet another winning motor sport technology from Audi. Its current generation, featuring asymmetrical, dynamic torque distribution, is further testimony to the philosophy of “Vorsprung durch Technik.”
A Torsen center differential installed longitudinally in the driveline distributes the torque between the front and rear axles. The normal split is 40 percent to the front axle and 60 percent to the rear – this slight rear bias was chosen to underscore the sporty nature of the new Audi RS 6 Avant. If the road surface conditions change, the purely mechanical differential responds instantaneously – it can divert up to 85 percent of the torque to the rear wheels or as much as 65 percent to the front wheels. Should a wheel on one axle spin, it is braked by the EDL electronic differential lock.
For the driver, this technology package adds up to outstanding agility, extremely stable handling and uncompromising traction when coming out of a bend – even on wet road surfaces where competitors helplessly struggle for traction with only two driven wheels. The handling dynamics of the RS 6 Avant are further enhanced by its relatively low engine weight, which results in a balanced distribution of axle loads. The battery and the energy management system are located in the luggage compartment for this same reason.
CHASSIS
Taming the power
Power means nothing if it can’t be controlled – and Audi engineers have followed precisely this motto in developing the chassis for the RS 6 Avant. The complex wheel suspensions, the high-tech Dynamic Ride Control shock absorber system and four brawny brakes form a package that is a worthy match for the engine’s tremendous power.
The chassis of the Audi RS 6 Avant unites the qualities of maximum dynamic performance, good road trip comfort and smooth straight-ahead stability. The combination of a host of advanced technologies produces a fascinating sports car-like driving experience. Its dynamic steering response, exact feedback, sporty precision and superior stability bridge the gap between racetrack and highway.
Most of the suspension components are manufactured of lightweight aluminum. This design reduces unsprung masses and lends an immediate and fascinating spontaneity to the car’s handling – just as in motor racing. In the front suspension system, the wheels are guided by four aluminum links. Their elastokinematics have been designed for highly dynamic performance. The front track is an impressive 1,614 mm. The self-tracking trapezoidal-link rear suspension system features a track of no less than 1,637 mm. The rear suspension kinematics have additionally been modified for sporty handling.
Special adjustments have also been made to the operating characteristics of the speed-dependent servotronic power steering. The steering box has a ratio of 12.5:1 for a direct, dynamic steering feel. The Audi RS 6 Avant’s steering works sensitively to impart a sense of close, positive contact with the road to the driver.
Purely mechanical – Dynamic Ride Control
One of the major features that sets the new Audi RS 6 Avant apart from the competition is Dynamic Ride Control as a standard feature, which was used in similar form both in the predecessor model and in the current RS 4. This evolved high-tech system reduces the vehicle’s pitching and rolling movements in a particularly ingenious way – by purely mechanical means, which makes it instantaneous.
In the compact, lightweight DRC system, each pair of diagonally opposite shock absorbers is interconnected by means of two oil lines and a central valve. When the car takes a bend, the valves reduce the oil flow at the shock absorber of the outer front wheel where the suspension spring is compressed. This improves support, reduces body roll and thus enhances handling dynamics.
If desired, Dynamic Ride Control in the new RS 6 Avant can be supplemented with optional three-stage shock absorption. This version is called sport suspension plus and allows drivers to individually adjust the driving experience to suit their own personal preferences or the route they are traveling. In the “comfort” setting, sport suspension plus provides remarkable ride comfort. In the “dynamic” mode it adjusts superbly to an enthusiastic driving style, and in the “sport” mode it delivers maximum driving precision.
The unique combination of sport suspension plus with DRC, the high-traction quattro driveline and the sporty axle layout lend unrivaled capabilities to the chassis of the new Audi RS 6 Avant. The high-performance Avant still handles safely within its dynamic limits under conditions that are well beyond the abilities of other concepts.
Pleasure and stability – ESP
The ESP directional stabilization system rounds out this characteristic: It intervenes at a very late stage and affords maximum driving pleasure while ensuring excellent safety. By briefly pressing a button, the driver can select a sport mode – the ESP’s traction control function, i.e. engine torque intervention, is then largely deactivated and braking intervention takes place at a later stage. This enables skilled drivers to perform fantastic drifts on low-friction road surfaces. Holding the button down longer deactivates both functions.
The new Audi RS 6 Avant comes equipped standard with 9 J x 19 cast alloy wheels featuring a 10-spoke design. They mount 255/40 R 19 tires, which are equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system as a standard feature. Also optionally available are 20" 9.5 J x 20 cast wheels featuring a five-segment spoke design in an aluminum-look or titanium-look finish. They are an impressive 275/35 R 20 in size and also feature pressure monitoring.
An automotive athlete of such exceptional caliber naturally also needs an extremely high-performance brake system. The standard steel discs on the Audi RS 6 Avant have been designed to withstand extremely high loads. They consist of an aluminum brake disc cover and a cast iron friction ring, joined by metal pins. This floating design increases thermal stability at high loads and reduces weight. The discs’ cooling channels and cross drillings both fulfill the same function.
The front brakes on the RS 6 Avant have a diameter of 390 mm and are gripped by six-piston fixed calipers made of aluminum. The discs mounted on the rear axle have a diameter of 356 mm and single-piston floating calipers. The brake calipers are painted black and adorned with RS emblems in front.
Audi can optionally supply ceramic brakes in conjunction with the 20" wheels. The ventilated, cross-drilled discs consist of a special composite in which high-strength carbon fibers are embedded in hard, abrasion-resistant silicon carbide – a material that has proven its effectiveness in aerospace engineering.
The discs offer the impressive diameters of 420 mm in front and 356 mm in the rear, but are nevertheless 12.2 kilograms lighter in total than steel discs. They thus reduce unsprung masses to enhance handling dynamics.
The ceramic brakes offer uncompromising performance. They have no trouble enduring even the most extreme loads, are not susceptible to corrosion and will normally last some 300,000 km. The brake calipers – with eight pistons on the front brakes – are painted Titanium Gray and have “Audi ceramic” lettering in front.
STYLING
Confident – the compelling look of the RS 6 Avant
With its styling, the new Audi RS 6 Avant follows a line that is characteristic of Audi – the elegance of dynamics. Its front-end form follows function: The high-performance engine and the two turbochargers need a considerable amount of air to breathe as well as for cooling, which is why the intake apertures have been enlarged. Arched struts form the surround and the front apron has been restyled. The single-frame grille featuring a high-gloss black guard with six-cornered diamond-look styling and a red and silver RS 6 logo serves to emphasize that this vehicle belongs to Audi’s high-performance family.
The headlights on the Audi RS 6 Avant are miniature high-tech works of art. To create space in the front apron for additional air flow, the halogen fog lights have been integrated alongside the xenon plus headlights, which are optionally available with adaptive light, the cornering light function.
The strip of LED daytime running lights adds a distinctive touch: Ten LEDs along the lower edge of each headlight unit lend the Audi RS 6 Avant an unmistakable appearance. A fairing at the top of the headlights sharpens the car’s look.
The side outline is characterized by the accentuated, wide side sills and flared wheel arches. Like the hood, the front fenders are made of aluminum in order to reduce weight.
They afford space to accommodate the commanding wheels and are also reminiscent of a milestone in automotive history: Flared wheel arches, squared off at the top, had already numbered among the styling elements of the Audi quattro (the “original quattro”) – which pioneered permanent all-wheel drive back in the year 1980.
Saying goodbye in style – the rear end of the new RS 6 Avant
The car’s rear end design also makes for an impressive sight – and this is the aspect of the new Audi RS 6 Avant that other drivers will typically see. It features a distinctively styled diffuser with large oval tailpipes integrated into it at the left and right. A subtle but effective roof spoiler, which accommodates the third brake light, provides the finishing aerodynamic touch, and an RS 6 logo denotes the special character of this high-performance Avant. The taillights, too, largely incorporate LED technology.
The Audi RS 6 Avant is an automobile of imposing stature. It measures 4,928 mm in length, 1,889 mm in width, 1,460 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2,846 mm. A metallic/pearl effect paint finish underscores its sporty, elegant design. And it comes in its own exclusive colors of Sepang Blue or Monza Silver, as well as in Monterey Green, Phantom Black, Mugello Blue, Misano Red or Daytona Gray.
INTERIOR
Exclusive – the elegant interior
The interior of the new RS 6 Avant offers an experience that exudes sporty exclusiveness. It is crafted with the impeccable quality for which Audi is renowned, from such sophisticated materials as carbon fiber, aluminum, leather and Alcantara. These materials create an atmosphere of refined dynamics and elegantly conceal all of the high-tech engineering that lies beneath.
RS 6 Avant customers can choose between two steering wheels: The multifunctional sport steering wheel with three-spoke design and the RS multifunctional sport steering wheel.
The RS version – which can optionally be covered in suede, has a distinctly powerful shape with the kind of flat-bottomed design found in motor racing. Both steering wheel versions have multifunctional controls for operating the telephone, navigation system and audio system. Shift paddles for the tiptronic transmission allow rapid manual shifting, and an RS 6 emblem on the lower spoke adds a distinctive visual touch.
The cockpit – perfect ergonomics
The clearly laid out and easily readable instrument package additionally features a turbocharger boost pressure indicator. Like the oil temperature gauge and lap timer, it can be accessed via the driver information system. When the ignition is switched on, both its display and the seven-inch color monitor of the MMI operating system show the RS 6 logo. All switches and levers are perfectly positioned within easy reach and are integrated into the cockpit, which is clearly angled toward the driver, with meticulous devotion to detail.
In numerous tests, the MMI operating system has repeatedly won acclaim from the automotive media for its superior, intuitive concept. Its large buttons and controls on the center tunnel feature a gleaming aluminum-look finish. The electromechanical parking brake that comes as standard equipment eliminates the need for a handbrake lever; in its place is a wide, comfortable center armrest.
The inlays in the new Audi RS 6 Avant are made of carbon fiber neatly edged with fine aluminum trim strips, and the center console is also trimmed in carbon fiber composite. Alternative trim combinations in matt brushed aluminum, fine grain myrtle nutmeg and piano finish are also available. The cockpit fascia, which accommodates the instruments and the monitor, always shines with its black piano finish – a little feast for the eyes.
Other special touches in the interior include the aluminum edging around the MMI operating terminal, specially designed door openers, as well as the sport pedals and the footrest, which also come in an aluminum-look finish. The door sills, too, are trimmed with aluminum strips bearing the RS 6 logo. As an option, the headliner and the insides of the columns can be covered in Nardia, an innovative high-tech microfiber.
Firm support – the sport seats
The highly contoured sport seats provide the body with the best possible support and an exceptionally firm hold. They be can electrically set to precisely the desired position and feature an integrated head restraint plus a manually adjustable thigh support. The sport seats are upholstered in a combination of leather and Alcantara, including an embossed RS 6 logo, or they are optionally available with all-leather upholstery in Silk Nappa or Valcona with color-contrasting stitching. RS bucket seats are also optionally available. The front seats and the outer seats in the rear are heated as a standard feature.
The new business class sports car from Audi offers generous space for five passengers and their luggage, with plenty of freedom of movement for heads, arms and legs, both in the front and rear. In its normal configuration, the luggage compartment has a capacity of 565 liters; with the rear backrest folded down, the volume grows to an impressive 1,660 liters. A load-through hatch, roll-up cover blind, a luggage net, a rail system and a twin loading floor with integrated dirt-resistant liner are all included as standard features. And with its low loading lip that allows easy access to the luggage compartment, the sporty RS 6 Avant is outstandingly equipped to satisfy sporty transport needs.
FEATURES
The finest in high-tech – standard equipment
Audi equips the RS 6 Avant, which is available at dealers in Germany for €106,900 including value-added tax, with a range of standard features that underscores its dynamic, exclusive character. The world’s most powerful production wagon is already clearly recognizable from the outside by a wealth of exclusive features – these include the daytime running lights, consisting of ten LEDs per headlight, the flared wheel arches and the commanding 19" cast aluminum wheels with brawny brakes behind them. The tires are continuously monitored for proper inflation pressure. A metallic/pearl effect paint finish emphasizes this Audi model’s sporty and elegant lines.
On the inside, the RS 6 Avant pampers its passengers with electrically adjustable sports seats upholstered in Silk Nappa leather. The front seats and the outer seats in the rear are heated. The carbon fiber inlays, a piano finish cockpit fascia and a host of RS 6 logos add refined highlights to the interior.
Top of the line – comfort and safety
Comfort and safety, too, are top of the line. An automatic anti-glare rear view mirror, an RS multifunctional sport steering wheel with shift paddles, and the deluxe automatic air conditioning system plus, which fine-tunes climate control for two separate interior zones, add distinctive touches of luxury. An alarm system and six airbags – two front, two side and two curtain airbags – enhance security and safety. Isofix mountings in the rear afford fast and reliable child seat installation.
The highlights of the standard features include the Audi parking system plus parking aid, which utilizes eight ultrasound sensors to assist the driver with exact audible and visual signals. The sound system, BOSE Surround Sound, is a delight to the ears – it generates powerful, crystal-clear sound from a 270W amplifier supplying 13 speakers. Its sound algorithm analyzes driving and outside noises and appropriately adjusts the frequency response curve to compensate for them.
The epitome – custom features
Customers who wish to further customize their RS 6 Avant need look no further than the options list – it constitutes the absolute epitome of what technology has to offer. Equipped with sport suspension plus, the shock absorber system, which is already highly precise thanks to Dynamic Ride Control, can be adjusted as desired to one of three mapped characteristics. The 20" cast aluminum wheels come with 275/35 R 20 tires; they allow room for high-performance brakes with huge ceramic discs. The interior can be equipped with an RS multifunctional steering wheel with shift paddles, its rim covered in suede if desired. Audi additionally offers Silk Nappa or Valcona leather upholstery for the seats, with color-contrasting stitching. The options also include a higher top speed of 280 km/h.
Adaptive light – even better nighttime visibility
Audi adaptive light is a feature that makes driving more relaxing by dynamically illuminating bends in the road and intersections. Audi lane assist, on the other hand, facilitates staying in lane at speeds of 65 km/h and higher. A minicam on the windshield observes the road and a computer detects the lane markings. Should the driver edge toward one of the lane markings without using turn signals, Audi lane assist provides a warning by vibrating the steering wheel.
Audi’s adaptive cruise control (ACC) is another highly advanced driver assistance system. It controls the car’s speed between 30 and 200 km/h. Using radar sensors, the system maintains a preset, driver-selectable distance behind the vehicle in front – gently accelerating and braking as needed. In dangerous situations, the integrated braking guard function comes into play: A warning light and an audible signal instruct the driver to brake; should the driver fail to take action, the system triggers a brief mini-application of the brakes. If the driver then responds, the brake assist system instantly makes the full braking force available.
The new Audi RS 6 Avant is at the cutting edge of technological advances when it comes to multimedia. Optionally available are a fast, powerful DVD-based navigation system and an easy-to-use voice interaction system, in addition to a module for analog and digital radio reception. If desired, FM radio signals can also be digitally received and processed – the DAB standard (Digital Audio Broadcasting) is far superior to analog reception in terms of dynamic range, transparency and three-dimensionality.
The Audi Bluetooth car phone affords luxury-class telephone functionality. The mobile phone stays in the driver’s jacket pocket, while the car phone wirelessly accesses the mobile’s data. It then switches off the mobile phone’s transmitting unit and uses the vehicle antenna.
THE RS MODELS FROM AUDI
For 13 years – the ultimate line for dynamic performance
Since 1993, the RS models have formed the dynamic spearhead of the Audi model line. In the upper midsize class, the RS 2 and RS 4 have defined the standards for power and performance, while the RS 6 has moved into a new dimension in the premium class. All RS models unite emotion and perfection to fashion a fascinating overall concept.
The Audi RS 2 was built in cooperation with Porsche starting in 1993. Its five-cylinder turbocharged engine incorporating four-valve technology produced an explosive 232 kW (315 bhp), superbly transferred to the road by the quattro driveline. The model’s performance specifications and brakes have moved it into the league of high-powered sports cars. The RS 2 originated a concept that was adopted and continued in the year 2000 by its successor, the first Audi RS 4. It was powered by a 2.7-liter V6 with two turbochargers that delivered 279 kW (380 bhp).
The current Audi RS 4, unveiled in 2005, takes a different engineering approach – it uses a naturally aspirated, high-revving V8. With the aid of FSI direct fuel injection, its 4.2-liter engine delivers 309 kW (420 bhp) and 430 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm. The RS 4 is available as an Avant and a Cabriolet; its predecessors came only in Avant form.
The Audi RS 6, which debuted in 2002, came from the A6 model line. It was powered by an earlier embodiment of the 4.2-liter V8 – with the boost pressure of two turbos, its five-valve engine with indirect injection produced 331 kW (450 bhp). Audi offered the first RS 6 both in sedan form and as a wagon. The high point for this model line came with the production of the special limited edition RS 6 plus, powered by a 480-bhp engine.
