New Audi RS6 Avant debuts with detailed specs, launch info

Audi has released the first official pics of its updated RS6 Avant super estate/wagon along with some technical specs and features.

The performance car sports new bumpers, grille and headlights. 22-inch wheels sit in broader wheel arches, the brake calipers are red, and the discs are carbon-ceramic.

The cabin houses ventilated sport seats wrapped in leather and Alcantara, as well as a new steering wheel. In addition to the four previously available drive modes (Auto, Dynamic, Comfort and Efficiency), the car now supports two user-defined modes, called RS1 and RS2.

The powertrain consists of a 4.0-liter turbocharged V8 toiling in conjunction with a 48-volt starter/generator. The V8 supports partial (4) cylinder deactivation for greater fuel efficiency when power is not a priority. Its nominal output amounts to 600 hp (447 kW) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque. The top speed is normally capped at 250 km/h (155 mph), but you may pay extra to raise the limiter to 280 km/h (174 mph) or even 305 km/h (190 mph).

The mechanical differential can send up to 70 percent of torque to the front axle or up to 85% to the rear one. A quattro Sport differential with advanced torque vectoring is available at a premium.

The RS6 Avant rides on air-cushioned suspension by default and has 20% less clearance than the regular Avant. It drops 10 mm (0.4”) closer to the ground at speeds exceeding 120 km/h (75 mph) and rises by 20 mm (0.8”) when going slowly.

Accelerating from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) is a matter of 3.6 seconds. The overall dynamic performance is on par with sports cars: for instance, the Porsche 911 has similar acceleration specs. The RS6 Avant is clearly ahead of the latter in terms of trunk space, though, which can vary between 565 and 1,680 liters (20 – 59,33 cubic feet) depending on whether the rear seats are folded.

Sales will begin in the first quarter of 2020.