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Audi RS6 [C7] (2013 - 2020)

ULTIMATE SIX MIX (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 98

If you like things simple, it doesn't get much clearer than this. This third generation 'C7'-series Audi RS6 was in its production period (2013-2020) the world's fastest estate car. Up front, you get a 560PS twin turbocharged V8 sending drive to all four wheels in Audi's time-honoured quattro tradition with a ferocious punch that makes this car as quick to 62mph as a Lamborghini Gallardo. Yet there's space for five and 565-litres of luggage space in the back. Your Labrador may not like the result of this highly compelling technological package, but the driver in you certainly will.

Modelsword count: 5

5dr Estate (4.0 V8 petrol)

Historyword count: 299

Does the luxury estate segment really need contenders offering the option of supercar performance? Audi thinks so. This third generation 'C7'-series RS6, launched in 2013, was the quickest model of its kind in its period - as all its predecessors had been. The RS 2 Avant of 1992 and the first generation RS 4 Avant of 2000 were based on the brand's more compact designs but with the first 'C5'-era RS 6 Avant series first seen in 2002, Ingolstadt stepped things up a gear, offering buyers in search of the ultimate station wagon a larger and more powerful choice. That first 4.2-litre V8 version offered 450PS, while in 2008, its faintly frightening 5.0-litre V10-engined 'C6'-series successor upped the ante still further to 579PS. A pinnacle of power as it turned out for like its German rivals, Audi subsequently stepped back from the spiralling horsepower race by developing engines that worked smarter rather than harder. Proof of that came with the launch of this MK3 'C7'-series RS 6 in the Spring of 2013, complete with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 beneath the bonnet. With 560PS, the power it delivered might have dropped slightly over what was on offer before, but it was also lighter and more efficient, so the car still managed to be faster than ever, as well as being significantly cheaper to run. In other words, there was no question of this RS 6 having gone a bit soft in its middle age. If you doubt that, then just three or four seconds behind the wheel of this astonishing machine is all you need to underline its credentials. There was a light facelift in 2015. And a faster 'Performance' version with 600PS was launched in 2016. It sold until a replacement 'C8'-series RS 6 model was launched in 2020.

What You Getword count: 510

So what do you think? It's true that this RS 6 must walk a fine line when it comes to exterior design, subtle enough not to draw unwelcome attention but aggressive enough to please those in the know. Job done we'd say. To the uninformed, it looks like a big Audi estate with some shiny bits. True enthusiasts though, will spot the numerous RS-specific design details, like the matte black honeycomb radiator grille at the front with its matching matte-aluminium door mirror housings. Moving round to the side, you get a set of handsome 20-inch seven-spoke forged alloys as standard, although there was also a 21-inch option that most ignored for the sake of ride quality. The subtly blistered wheel arches and side sill extensions give the car a planted, pugnacious stance, while the small roof spoiler is a nod to the RS 6's trademark high speed stability. The finishing flourish is a rear diffuser framed by a pair of oval tailpipes. And inside? Well there are so many slick pieces of design here that it's hard to know where to start. Build quality from the Hungarian factory is faultless and everything hangs together without appearing cluttered or overly complicated. Certainly the view from the driver's seat is something quite special. You're gripped by delightful prominently side-bolstered monogrammed RS super sport Valcona leather seats, trimmed with a honeycomb quilted finish. They're heated and electrically adjustable for height, upper backrest position and lumbar support, as well as the usual back, forth and tilt functions. Other highlights? Well we love the rubber and metal pedal set, the illuminated door sills, the fold-out 7-inch LCD display that pops from the dash and the meaty flat bottomed steering wheel that contains all the controls you need and none you don't. Through it, you glimpse a purposeful set of instruments with black faces, white dials and red needles. Buyers choose between carbon, matt-brushed aluminium or piano black interior inlays. And for rear seat passengers? Well access isn't quite as good as it could be if the doors opened a little wider, but that's something you'll really only notice when lugging baby seats in and out. Once inside though, it feels very nice indeed, provided that you're not stuck on the hard central seat. Thanks to the wheelbase increase of this generation A6, owners of the previous generation 'C6'-series RS 6 will notice leg and headroom improvements that enable a couple of six-foot adults to stretch out in comfort. As for the boot, well there's 565-litres on offer. If there is no substitute for sheer size, then pushing forward the split-folding rear bench frees up as much space as most will need, though because the backrest simply flops down upon the seat cushion, you do get a slightly uphill cargo bay, one reason why the 1,680-litre total isn't quite as much as you'll get in, say, a rival Mercedes E63 AMG Estate. But then that car doesn't quite have the interior feel-good factor of this one. And we're guessing that for most owners, that'll be crucial.

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Scoring (subset of scores)

Category: Sporting Cars

Performance
100%
Handling
80%
Comfort
70%
Space
90%
Styling, Build, Value, Equipment, Depreciation, Handling, Insurance and Total scores are available with our full data feed.

This is an excerpt from our full review.
To access the full content library please contact us on 0330 0020 227 or click here

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