The all-new Audi RS 6 Avant
will need just 3.9 seconds to dispel any doubt that its ultra-efficient new
downsized V8 TFSI engine has compromised on muscle for the sake of
miles-per-gallon. The latest super Avant will firmly cement its RS credentials
by outrunning its mighty V10-powered predecessor with an exceptional
sub-four-second 0-62mph sprint time. At the same time its smaller displacement
and cylinder-on-demand technology will make 28.8mpg economy potential a
reality.
Available to order early in
2013 priced at approximately £77,000 OTR, and due in the UK next summer, the
new RS 6 Avant will derive its phenomenal pace from a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8
TFSI engine which replaces its predecessor’s 5.0-litre twin-turbo V10 TFSI. Peak output of 560PS in the new engine is
reached between 5,700 and 6,700 rpm, with a constant 700 Nm of torque available
between 1,750 and 5,500 rpm.
The two large twin-scroll
turbochargers enable the RS 6 Avant to gather momentum with remarkable intensity.
They are mounted together with the intercooler in the inside V of the cylinder
banks. The exhaust side of the cylinder heads is also on the inside, while the
intake side is on the outside. This concept allows for a compact design and
short gas paths with minimal flow losses.
The RS-specific engine
management and unthrottled intake system also contribute to the eight-cylinder
engine’s dramatic response, which is delivered to the tune of a classic V8
soundtrack. Switchable flaps in the exhaust system will make the sound even
fuller at the touch of a button, and a sports exhaust system will be available
as an option to provide even greater amplification if required.
Variable top speed
After catapulting to 62mph
from rest in a best-in-class 3.9 seconds, the RS 6 Avant in its standard form
will be capable of continuing to an electronically limited 155mph top speed
where conditions allow. It will be possible to increase this top speed to
174mph by specifying the optional Dynamic package, and to go a step further
still with the Dynamic plus package, which curbs acceleration only when the new
super Avant reaches 189mph.
Despite straying even further
into the realms of the supercar, the latest RS 6 Avant nevertheless manages to
register a fuel economy improvement of approximately 40 per cent, thanks partly
to an engine start-stop system and innovative thermal management technology,
but primarily to the new engine’s cylinder on demand (COD) system. At low to
intermediate loads and engine speeds, it shuts down the intake and exhaust
valves of cylinders 2, 3, 5 and 8. The 4.0-litre TFSI then runs as a
four-cylinder engine until the driver accelerates more forcibly again.
Efficiency in the active cylinders is increased because the operating points
are displaced toward higher loads.
The switch between four and
eight-cylinder operation takes just a few hundredths of a second, and the only
real indication to the driver that it is taking place is a visual signal within
the instrument cluster. The COD technology reduces ECE fuel consumption by
roughly five per cent. Even greater savings of approximately 10 per cent are
possible when driving at moderate speeds. Active engine mounts use out-of-phase
counter-oscillations to compensate for the vibrations that occur during four-cylinder
operation.
The 4.0-litre TFSI is paired
with an eight-speed tiptronic transmission featuring shortened shift times and
offering ‘Sport’ and ‘Manual’ modes in addition to the standard ‘Drive’
setting. To shift for themselves drivers can use the shift paddles on the
steering wheel or the selector lever, which is of a unique RS design. The lower
gears of the tiptronic are tightly spaced for optimum performance, while a tall
eighth gear reduces fuel consumption.
At the heart of the quattro
permanent all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring is a self-locking centre
differential with an elevated locking value. A sport differential is also
active on the rear axle to distribute power steplessly between the rear wheels
for even greater agility and stability.
Adaptive air suspension for the first time
The new RS 6 Avant will be the
first Audi RS model to feature adaptive air suspension. The specially tuned
set-up lowers the body by 20 millimetres, and incorporates controlled damping
which takes into account road conditions, driving style and the mode chosen in
the standard Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system, with which the driver
can influence the function of key components in multiple steps.
As an alternative, sports
suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) will also be available. This
system employs steel springs and three-way adjustable shock absorbers that are
interconnected diagonally by means of oil lines and a central valve for
improved body roll stability. Dynamic steering will be another option which
will allow the driver to steplessly vary the ratio and boost of the steering.
This system can also be integrated into Audi drive select and, just like the
standard electromechanical power steering, is tailored specifically for the RS
6 Avant.
Not surprisingly, the brakes
have also been engineered to take extreme performance in their stride. The four
internally vented discs feature a weight-saving wave design with a wave-like
outer contour. The front discs measure 390 millimetres in diameter and are
gripped by six-piston calipers which are available in either black or red. Also
available as an option are carbon fibre-ceramic brake discs measuring 420
millimetres in diameter. Their calipers are painted anthracite grey.
High-gloss, 20-inch, forged
wheels in a seven twin-spoke design will be standard for UK RS 6 models, and
three 21-inch cast wheels with either high-gloss silver, polished black or
polished titanium-look finish will be available at extra cost.
Around 100kg lighter
The body plays a major role in
the handling. It comprises roughly 20 per cent aluminium, and a sizeable
proportion of components made from high-strength steel. Through the more
intensive use of lightweight materials Audi engineers have been able to reduce the
weight of the new Audi RS 6 Avant by approximately 100 kilograms compared with
its predecessor. This obviously has a positive effect on the power-to-weight
ratio, which in turn enhances performance, efficiency and overall agility.
Numerous RS-specific design
details underscore the distinctive appearance of the high-performance Avant.
Most noticeable are the matte aluminium applications on the body, the matte
black honeycomb radiator grille at the front of the car, the bumpers, the
wings, the sill flares and the large roof spoiler. At the rear of the car, the
diffuser and the two large, elliptical exhaust tailpipes make a bold statement.
Two optional exterior design
packages – Matte Aluminium or Carbon – are also available to further customise
the look. With the Carbon appearance package, the front splitter and the
diffuser are even more boldly styled. The new Audi RS 6 Avant is available in
eight exterior colours, including the exclusive shade Daytona Grey matte.
Additional options from the Audi exclusive range offer numerous opportunities
for customisation.
The elegantly trimmed but
highly focused cockpit of the new Audi RS 6 Avant is singularly tailored to the
driver. The dial instruments feature black faces, white dials and red needles.
The key, the flat-bottomed three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, the
illuminated entry sills, the rev counter and the displays for the MMI and the
Driver’s Information System (DIS) incorporate RS logos.
New shift light feature
A new feature in the RS menu
of the DIS is the shift light. Green segments are illuminated as revs increase.
The bar turns red and begins to blink when revs approach the red line. Displays
for the gear selected, boost pressure, oil temperature and a digital
speedometer round out the RS 6-specific driver information system.
The footrest, pedals and
switches in the MMI navigation plus terminal have an aluminium look which
contrasts with the piano finish for the decorative bezel surrounding the
retractable monitor and the carbon inlays. A black headlining is standard, but
Moon Silver or black Alcantara options are also available.
RS sports seats with
pronounced side bolsters, integrated head restraints and RS 6 logos will be
standard. The seats are covered in high-grade, honeycomb-quilted Valcona
leather in either black or Moon Silver. The seats can also be covered in an
optional combination of black Alcantara and leather, and the centre sections
feature diamond quilting.
Power-adjustable comfort seats
with memory function will also be available as an option. The luggage
compartment holds up to 1,680 litres with the standard split rear seat folded.
As befits the ultimate
incarnation of the A6, the RS 6 Avant will feature a generous list of standard
equipment, including xenon plus headlights, LED rear lights, a tyre-pressure
monitoring system, illuminated entry sills and the RS-specific driver’s
information system. Also on board will be the parking system plus with visual
and acoustic prompts, cruise control, four-zone automatic air conditioning, MMI
navigation plus with MMI touch, BOSE sound system, DAB radio and Audi Music
Interface (AMI).
Key options will include
all-LED headlights with a unique design, ceramic brakes, sports suspension plus
with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC), the Dynamic packages and practically every
other high-end option available in the range.
The list includes a head-up display and a portfolio of high-performance
driver assistance systems, as well as the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound
System with 15 speakers and 1,200 watts of total power. Mobile phone
preparation – High, with Audi connect – the perfect complement to the MMI
navigation plus – will also be available to deliver web-based services to the
car.
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