April 2008 is the month to keep an eye on, because that will signify the showroom launch of the new Audi RS 6 Avant, Audi's most potent car ever (not counting the Audi R10 TDI Le Mans racer). Audi's new family sports wagon produces an astounding 580 hp (426 kW) from a newly developed V10 FSI engine with torque peaking at 650 Nm at 6700 rpm. The new TwinTurbo V10 FSI is based on the V10 found in the S6 and S8 but has been redeveloped in almost every single aspect to attain this new level of performance.
Needless to say that its performance times are impressive and comparible to super cars. 0-100 km/h takes just 4.6 seconds and 0-200 km/h in just 14.9 seconds, only to stop accelerating at 250 km/h due to its top speed limiter. And while the car weighs in at plump 2,025 kg, the power-to-weight ratio is just 3.5 kg to every horsepower. A six-speed tiptronic is putting all that power to the road through Audi's quattro four-wheel-drive system.
The interior is of typical Audi quality with carbon fibre, aluminium, leather and Alcantara with the usual safety features as standard. Wheels come in 19 inch as standard but 20 inch are optionally available. Audi has fitted ceramic brakes on 420mm steel discs in the front and 356mm in the rear.
Read on for more details, and keep an eye on this space for live pictures from Frankfurt next week!
Outstanding top performance and maximum dynamism combined with excellent suitability for everyday use are the impressive features of the new Audi RS 6 Avant, which will be unveiled to the public for the first time at the IAA 2007 in Frankfurt. A newly developed V10 engine with FSI direct injection and twin turbochargers, permanent quattro four-wheel drive and sports suspension with Dynamic Ride Control DRC set the standard for high-performance vehicles in the luxury class. 426 kW (580 bhp) and a maximum torque of 650 Nm add up to an unforgettable performance experience. At the same time, the new Audi RS 6 Avant offers a high standard of travel comfort – on long journeys, too.
The Audi RS models from quattro GmbH are the ultimate in sportiness, complemented by powerful and elegant design, exclusive equipment and perfect quality. It has also meanwhile become a good tradition that their sports performance is combined with the high utility value of an Avant: the very first Audi RS2, which appeared in 1993, was only built as an Avant model. Although the unique Audi RS driving sensation can now be experienced in saloon, Avant and Cabriolet models – as is the case with the current RS 4 – customers especially appreciate the combination of dynamism and versatility that an Avant offers.
The new Audi RS 6 will therefore only be available as an Avant to start with, with the unrivalled combination of 580 bhp and a maximum 1,660 litres of luggage space. The Audi RS 6 Avant will be launched in April 2008.
The new leader in the performance category
The Audi RS 6 redefines the term “high performance” in the business class. With its 426 kW (580 bhp), it is the most powerful model in the current Audi range and – with the exception of pure racing cars like the Le Mans-winning Audi R10 TDI – the most potent Audi of all time. But not only that: it is also clearly superior to all competitors in the top performance category.
The ten-cylinder V-configuration engine in the RS 6 is based on the V10 powerplants of the Audi S6 and Audi S8, but has been redeveloped in practically every respect to attain the significantly higher level of performance. The twin turbochargers ensure an impressively constant stream of power over the entire engine speed range: the mighty peak torque of 650 Nm is available across the entire range from 1,500 to 6,250 rpm; maximum output is available between 6,250 and 6,700 rpm.
The road performance of a super sports car
This powerplant enables the Audi RS 6 Avant to achieve the road performance of a high-performance sports car. It requires just 4.6 seconds for the sprint from a standing start to 100 km/h, and reaches the 200 km/h mark in a mere 14.9 seconds. Only when the needle touches 250 km/h is the propulsive power electronically governed. The power-to-weight ratio, too, matches that of a first-rate sports car: after all, with a vehicle weight of 2,025 kilograms – including the dynamic and sure-footed quattro four-wheel drive – every horsepower of the RS 6 Avant has to propel just 3.5 kilograms
The ten-cylinder concept provides the ideal basis for a high-performance unit of this calibre. The V10 is unusually compact with an overall length of 670 millimetres and is very light with a total weight of 278 kilograms. TFSI technology from Audi, the combination of direct injection and turbocharging, ensures efficient power output, based on extensive experience in the field of motor sport: the R8 racing car, a pioneer of TFSI technology, captured a series of victories for the brand with the four rings at Le Mans.
Racing technology for high efficiency
FSI direct injection delivers precisely metered amounts of fuel into the combustion chambers at a pressure of up to 120 bar. This permits a compression ratio of 10.5:1, which is very high for a turbo engine. Remarkably efficient combustion is the result. The engine is thus content with a standard consumption of 13.9 litres – a very good figure in view of the potential offered.
A further feature adopted from racing technology is the dry-sump lubrication system used on the V10. By virtue of the elaborate design of the oil pump module and oil tank, reliable lubrication of all engine components and both turbochargers is guaranteed, even with constant lateral acceleration of 1.2 g.
Thanks to FSI technology and the optimised design of the turbocharger and air ducts, the ten-cylinder unit is extremely responsive and converts minimum movements of the throttle into dynamic acceleration. Yet the twin turbo is by no means a rough-and-ready sports engine: it runs smoothly and with refinement, as is typical of a ten-cylinder unit. When accelerating, of course, its dual-branch exhaust system with two oval tailpipes produces that sonorous sporty, throaty sound – an essential feature of a high-performance automobile. Those who wish to enhance this daily delight for the ears even further may opt for the alternative sports exhaust system.
when I see Mercedes cars, I feel nothing could be better of it. But when I see these Audi's sport cars I feel it's really better than Mercedes cars !!!
I think Audi is just throwing everywhere with horses.It's still a twin turbo!! Look at the M5/6 , it's still a V10 but it is a normally aspirated engine, still delivers 507bhp. No car Mercedes or Audi can match the dinamycs and the precision of an M5. No one can beat the M division.
bmw's M5 is not a 507 bhp as they say. it is a 400 bhp engine. it is tuned to this power, and increases to 507 only when u push the so called SPORT button located near the gear stick. that's when the engine power goes up, the suspesion stiffens and everything gets tight. my opinion: it's a weak engine compared to the new RS6. so what if it's aspirated? the m5 is much slower. and the mercs, the AMG, well....they're not mercs, they're AMGs. it seems mercedes doesen't have enough knowledge or money to create their own super sport sedan, like audi and bmw. someone else has to do it. what if audi's super sport sedan was built/modified by ABT, or bmw's 3 or 5 series built by hamann?..that wouldn't be an authentic audi, or bmw
To bmwaddict: The RS 4 is based on a 5+ y/o platform, and everybody said the new M3 would take it. But guess what, it hasn't! It barely matches the RS 4's output. N/A engines only have the advantage of "instant torque" but as we all know the M5 doesn't reach it's peak torque until higher up in the rev-range, and I can assure you Audi's V10 TT will deliver more torque, sooner. Also, the reason why Audi did not go with a high reving N/A V10 engine is because it would not put out as much torque.
To norther: The M5's engine is a 507 HP engine, but they decided to detune it on initial start-up so that it's not an "un-wieldly" car. Also, there is no difference between AMG, Quattro GmbH (produces Audi's one-off cars, and RS cars), and the M division. They're all "official Tuners" of their respective marquees. Please get your facts straight before babbeling useless info on here.
For NauAudiS4: either way dude, i think mercedes and bmw are weaker...at least for the moment. this rs6 is just stunning. For Xenomorph: i don't think bmw is BEATEN by audi (maybe the merc is). the rs4 is faster in corners, and on wet roads, snow etc, due to its great quattro tech. but in a straight line i think the m3 is faster, all the m3's were. For Tolga: you talking about this 810 HP M5? http://www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/cmc_m5.asp .. dude, that's "old"...and it's not an BMW, it's an "Currency Motor Cars" modified M5.
Ladies first off lets get your facts all in line the BMW M5 is a 507bhp and yes only when the power button is pushed, but when not its 400bhp, the M-power engine produces 507bhp that is its max line. So please dont tell me its weak. Also I'm sorry to say but all these wounderful cars have V10s AMG ueses a V8 6.2L that pushes out 510bhp. This Audi RS6 may sound amazing but I own a 2003 Audi RS6 saloon with 450bhp and it has a 0-60 time of 4.4sec the new one is almost the same and it pushes out 130 more bhp, they put all that horse power under the hood and I cant go faster now come on thats no fun. In any case any way you look at it BMW M5, Mercedes E63 AMG, and the new Audi RS6 are all with in the 4.4-4.7sec range, I dont think we should be fighting over what cars faster, but once you've test driven all these then let every one know what you think because power isn't everything and thats coming from some one that has an RS6 and a M6 coupe and an SL55 and these cars are matched, all amazing to drive and fun, thanks for reading, drive safe!
All of you Audi fan's. Look at all the tests on Youtube. The old M (343 hp)beats the old S4 way ahead. The test is made by The Stig. Also on the track there is no match for the E46 M3. And they say the new one is better on the track. Tiff Needell from Fifth Gear, top car journalist, said the M5 is a masterpiece, the most precise saloon he has ever driven. It's not all about power, and proves it. They squeezed another 130hp into the new RS6, but 0-100km/h dropped just 0.1 sec. On the track that's nothing. No car can beat the M5 on the track, Merc, or Audi.
Regarding the power management on the M5, switching from 400 to 507hp. On normal regims, the car is runing on 400 hp for fuel efficiency and lower emissions. This makes it even a better car, looking from this point of view. It has the most precise steering put on serial saloons today, the fastest gearbox, etc, etc. Audi has made important steps, has already beaten the Mercedes, but still has a lot to work to catch up BMW. I think everyone is missing important facts like suspension, steering, braking. All those are better in the M5.
Sebfill55 i know the test, i have the top gear collection. but, i think u watched on google only the straight line test. and i know, the s4 is beaten by far, but they tested the car on the track..wich is faster. and the s4 beat it good, by a couple of seconds
If it wasn't for McLaren's touch Mercedes would not have a supercar. The SLR is not a Mercedes smartie! The fastest Mercedes ever built is the CLS Brabus Rocket, he's a Mercedes fan and he doesn't know what's the fastest car of his lame brand. Such fans, such brand.
bmwaddict seems unable to accept when something is made thats actually better than his favorite cars. BMWs are good, but you have to realise they arn't always the best. Many other cars can match or best them, e.g the RS 4 models, the R8 and certainlly this new RS 6. You keep saying they can't be beaten with brakes etc, very wrong. Time to face reality, BMW isn't always the best.
We'll just have to wait for the tests. M5 is not my favorite car, the RS4 has not beat the M3 CSL, not in a single test on track. 0-100 km/h is faster than the the M3 CSL 0.3 sec, but that's it. I will not make any other comments on who's faster on a track. We'll just have to wait and see for ourselves.
The CSL isn't even out yet and track times havn't been released as far as I know. Anyway, theres more to a car than just speed and performance, crafstmanship, build quality, design and materials are also very important; to me anyway. And I think Audi does the best job at that. Hopefully the sedan version of the RS 6 comes out soon as well, does anyone have an idea? I prefer the look of the sedan, however I think Audi does make the best looking avants of any car company.
on the dude who was dissing mercedes benz and saying they cant achieve anything and they have to have a company like AMG to do them sports cars, get your facts straight, AMG is appart of Mercedes Benz, and has been since like 1967... how about all their bi turbo V12 engines that produce 510hp? and you call them slow? most of those cars are like the S class and the CL class which are big and heavey luxary cars that can still throw down a punch...
go properly test drive one before you make a comment like that again
but at the same time, everyones different, i choose a car with personality, is comfortable and looks beautiful and has loads of technology that everyone copies which shows they are the originals in the technology race. which is why i'd choose merc over a bmw or audi any day... sure the M5 is much better on a track and is put together perfectly... but at the same time, there is no race tracks around here, and not everyone can drive that car up to its potential anyway, and regardless, has anyone ever heard the sound of the M5 V10 engine? sounds pathetic, a toyota camry 4 cylinder makes a better sound, check out a mercedes amg, sounds like a muscle car and a ferrari thrown into one, to me, i want something that looks beautiful, sounds awesome, the interior has personality...
not a driving machine thats ugly and to buy a BMW just for the sake of buying a BMW...
so what ur saying maddawg0, is that both the rs6 and m5 are UGLY? :)....ok ok i respect ur choice, i respect everyones choice. i respect the mercs too, i didn't said they're completely ....AWFUL. i just expected more from such a big company like mercedes. i don't know, they kinda dissapointing. i think the audis and BMWs as cars for younger people, the mercs always resembles and old, retired rich man...too coky for me. anyhow, before we start (real) fighting over which is faster (cuz we cannot know for sure) i'm gonna do what bmwaddict does....wait and see.
sutpid audi,why would they make a sport car with wagon platform ..????..it will be the best if they keep the sedan syle,and finally this car is crap compare to nissan GT-R,high HP doesnt mean you go faster.
