Audi has introduced the RS6 Avant GT as their latest special edition and the “pinnacle of the model series.” If it looks familiar, it should as the wagon draws inspiration from the 2020 RS6 GTO concept. That particular car was created by twelve apprentices and was inspired by the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO race car from 1989. That lineage is easy to spot as the special edition has a blacked out grille and bumper to make the car look lower and wider. This effort is aided by a pronounced splitter, which commands attention in red.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg as the
model sports a unique carbon fiber hood with exposed accents. The front fenders
are also made of carbon and feature vents that “reduce air pressure in the
wheel arch and improve brake cooling.” Sticking with the performance theme, the
wagon has been equipped with a motorsport-inspired double wing that was “taken
almost 1:1 from the apprentices’ concept car.” The roof rails have also been
removed for a “flatter, sportier silhouette,” while a massive diffuser with a
vertical reflector helps to emphasize the car’s width.
Elsewhere, designers installed carbon
fiber mirrors and glossy carbon fiber accents. They’re joined by colored badges
and special 22-inch wheels, which are available in white. Speaking of colors,
the model sports eye-catching graphics as well as an Arkona White, Nardo Gray,
Chronos Gray Metallic, Madeira Brown Metallic, or Mythos Black Metallic paint
job. Splashes of color continue inside as the black cabin is contrasted by red
and copper accents. However, the real highlights are heavily bolstered seats
that have “RS6 GT” embroidery as well as honeycomb center sections. Buyers will
also find crimson red seat belts, special floor mats, and an individually
numbered accent on the center console. Dinamica microfiber trim comes standard,
but customers can also get open-pore carbon with a twill structure.
On the performance front, the wagon has a
twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 developing 621 hp and 850
Nm of torque. That’s 30 hp and 50 Nm more than the
standard model. The engine is connected to an eight-speed Tiptronic
transmission, which is paired to a quattro all-wheel drive system with the same
center differential as the RS6 Avant performance. While that component carries
over, the car has been equipped with a unique adjustable coilover suspension as
well as a specially tuned quattro sport rear differential. The suspension
lowers the ride height by 10 mm and promises the “perfect
combination of dynamics and comfort.” Other highlights include stiffer
stabilizers, a ceramic braking system, and Continental Sport Contact 7 tires.
Audi says the latter offer “consistently better roadholding under both dry and
wet conditions” as well as reduced understeer when cornering at speed.
In terms of raw numbers, the RS6 Avant GT
rockets from 0-100 km/h in 3.3 seconds and hits 200 km/h in 11.5 seconds. If drivers keep their foot planted, the car will eventually
top out at 305 km/h. Production will be limited to 660 units and
deliveries are slated to begin in the second quarter. A whole day is spent
installing components by hand and this helps to explain why pricing starts at
€ 219,355 in Germany and £ 176,975 in the United Kingdom.


