The Audi RS6 Avant is a performance station wagon derivative of the A6 sedan with power coming from a turbocharged V8 motor and does the 0-100 km/hr run in 3.9 seconds.
Probably the boldest move made by the Ingolstadt maker since its arrival in the country, Audi India has officially launched the 2015 RS6 Avant priced at Rs. 1.35 crores (ex-showroom, Delhi). Joining its stablemates, the RS5 coupe and the S6 saloon, the RS6 Avant is a performance station wagon and certainly the first-of-its-kind offering that the country has ever witnessed. Making the RS6 Avant different from all other sports car offerings is the extremely useable boot which makes the newest Audi extremely practical that comes paired to a mammoth of a powertrain.
Updated at the Paris Motor Show last year, the 2015 Audi RS6 Avant gets a single-frame grille that houses the familiar ‘RS’ badging while the bumper gets larger air intakes to feed cool air into the engine. The headlight cluster has been tweaked for a sharper profile and also gets Matrix LEDs as optional. There is also the new T-shaped LED daytime running lights on the RS6 that are seen on all Audi models. The side profile looks agile sporting 20-inch alloy wheels (21-inch alloys are offered as optional) while the most noticeable change is the inclusion of the D-pillar. At the rear, the RS6 Avant features revised LED tail lights along with dual exhausts finished in chrome.
On the inside, the Audi RS6 Avant gets the aggressive tone set with the all-black cabin, sports seats with multiple adjustment settings and memory function and a pop-up display unit. The multifunction flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters looks chunky and the car comes loaded with goodies including navigation, heated seats, reversing camera, keyless go, start-stop and a whole lot more. Move to the rear and things get more sedated with the bench seat that can accommodate three passengers with healthy legroom while the massive boot has a capacity of 565-litres which can be expanded to 1680-litres with the rear seats folded.
Power on the 2015 Audi RS6 Avant comes from the 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 engine tuned to produce 560 HP of power and 700 Nm of peak torque. The 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels via the famous Quattro system. Keeping up with the power figures, the RS6 Avant is quick by all means and does the 0-100 km/hr sprint in 3.9 seconds while the top speed achievable is 305 km/hr (with the option pack). Keeping the skies clear, Audi has also incorporated its Valve-lift cylinder-on-demand technology on the RS6 Avant which shuts down four cylinders when in traffic congestions maximising fuel efficiency. Emission levels though stand at 229 g/km.
In terms of safety aid, the Audi RS6 Avant gets six airbags, stability control, Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-sense Plus with Brake Assist and Active Lane Assist. In India, the RS6 Avant does not have any direct competition but will be rivalling a host of other sports cars from its German compatriots along with certain British offerings. The performance station wagon will also be rivalling a host of luxury SUVs at its price range. The bold move by Audi might just make other luxury manufacturers bring in their estate derivatives to the country.
