The Audi RS 6 is now 20 years outdated

The Audi RS 6 has turned 20 years outdated. Audi put out a press launch Tuesday recounting the historical past of this efficiency mannequin, which has been supplied as a sedan however achieved iconic standing in Avant wagon kind.

On the flip of the twenty first century, Audi was within the midst of a motorsports push that might see it grow to be the dominant producer on the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and it needed to capitalize on that with an expanded lineup of efficiency street automobiles. Having simply reworked the A4 into the RS 4, Audi determined to provide the larger C5-generation A6 the identical remedy.

Launched in 2002, the C5 Audi RS 6 used a 4.2-liter V-8 from the S6, however with added twin turbochargers and tuning by Cosworth. It produced 444 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque, propelling the inaugural RS 6 from 0-62 mph in 4.7 seconds. Prime pace was electronically restricted to 155 mph. A later Plus model boosted output to 473 hp (torque remained unchanged) and raised the highest pace to 174 mph.

Manufactured in sedan and Avant physique types, the C5 RS 6 was solely bought as a sedan in america, and just for the 2003 mannequin 12 months. Manufacturing was restricted to simply 860 models, and people can be the one examples of the RS 6 to make it to the U.S. for a while.

Audi launched the second-generation C6 RS 6 in 2008, this time with a 5.0-liter twin-turbo V-10 producing 572 hp and 479 lb-ft. Nevertheless, the C6 was solely in a position to shave 0.1 second off the C5’s 0-62 mph time, and the identical electronically-forced pace limits remained.

The C6 was solely bought for 2 years, and was by no means imported to the U.S. We did get an S6 sedan with the naturally-aspirated 5.2-liter V-10 from the Audi R8 and Lamborghini Gallardo supercars, although.

Audi went again to eight cylinders for the C7 RS 6, which appeared in 2013. The C7’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 produced much less horsepower (552 hp) however extra torque (516 lb-ft) than the V-10, and the C7 was considerably faster, reaching 62 mph from a standstill in 3.9 seconds. It additionally boasted a 190-mph prime pace. Obtainable solely in Avant wagon kind, the C7 RS 6 was not bought within the U.S.

The RS 6 lastly returned to the U.S. for the 2021 model year in redesigned C8 Avant guise. Launched internationally in 2019, the C8 RS 6 Avant once more makes use of a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8, this time producing 591 hp and 590 lb-ft. That will get it from 0-62 mph in 3.6 seconds, whereas the highest pace stays unchanged from the C7’s 190 mph (automobiles with out carbon-ceramic brakes are restricted to 155 mph).

Now you can get an RS 6 Avant from an Audi vendor for $117,595 (together with vacation spot). That is not low-cost, however in case you’ve acquired the means and need a quick wagon, it is likely to be a good suggestion to seize one when you can. Because the historical past of the RS 6 exhibits, as soon as it is gone, you by no means know when it will likely be again.