Audi Sport’s new, fourth-generation RS 6 Avant is set to arrive in Audi Philippines’ showrooms this month. Together with the RS 3 Sedan and the RS Q8, the RS 6 Avant heralds the introduction of the Audi Sport brand in the country.
Other RS models from Audi Sport are set to be laurnched in the Philippines throughout 2021. Included among these is the Audi Sport-developed R8 supercar, which will arrive locally in January.
Audi Sport is the high-performance division of Audi AG. It develops and produces the RS models, which are composed of compacts, sedans, coupes, wagons and SUVs, and are defined by distinct designs and a capacity to be driven daily even if these are focused on performance. Included among other models in the current RS lineup are the RS 4 Avant, RS 5 Coupe, RS 5 Sportback, RS 7 Sportback, TT RS Coupe, TT RS Roadster, RS Q3 and RS Q3 Sportback.
The new RS 6 Avant celebrates 25 years of the dynamic RS line, as well as 25 years of high-performance station wagons from Audi, beginning with the now-legendary RS 2 Avant. The new, more powerful and efficient (thanks to a mild hybrid system) RS 6 Avant ushers in a new chapter in the history of RS Avant models.
“Throughout our 25-year RS history, the RS 6 Avant is one of our absolute icons with a large global fan base,” said Audi Sport GmbH managing director Oliver Hoffmann.
Fitted under the hood of the new RS 6 Avant is a 4.0-liter, twin-turbo, gasoline V8 TFSI engine that makes 600 hp and 800 Nm of torque, available from 2,050 rpm. This output allows the high-performance station wagon to sprint from rest to 100 km/h in only 3.6 seconds, and to 200 km/h in 12 seconds.
Combined with the V8 engine is a mild hybrid system composed mainly of a belt alternator starter that can recover up to 12 kW of power during deceleration, storing the energy in a separate lithium-ion battery. This allows the RS 6 Avant to coast for up to 40 seconds with the engine switched off, and for start/stop operation at speeds of up to 22 km/h (13.7 mph). Also helping efficiency is the engine’s cylinder deactivation system, which could switch off cylinders No. 2, 3, 5 and 8 at low to intermediate speeds and load.
Matched to the new RS 6 Avant’s V8 engine is an eight-speed tiptronic transmission tuned for optimized shifting times, and a quattro permanent all-wheel drive system.
The new RS 6 Avant’s front end is aggressive because of a gloss-black Singleframe grille, extended side air inlets and a hood boasting of a power dome. Found at the car’s sides are quattro blisters over the wheel arches and RS-specific sills with black inserts. Marking the rear are a roof edge spoiler and an RS-specific bumper which has a gloss-black rear diffuser and other design elements. An RS exhaust system with oval tailpipes complete the look.
The new RS 6 Avant is roomier than previous versions, with increased luggage space. Its interior features a perforated sport leather-wrapped, flat-bottom steering wheel; large RS aluminum shift paddles; sport seats; and plenty of RS and RS 6 badges. The car’s all-digital operating system has a black-panel design, and an “RS Monitor” display provides information on the temperature of the drive components, the maximum g acceleration figures, and tire pressure and temperature.
