As Jeremy Clarkson famously once said about the previous generation Audi RS6, “One minute you’re having a lovely Sunday drive, the next minute you feel like you want to invade Poland!” We have to say that we couldn’t agree more with that sentiment. The previous, 426 kW, twin-turbo, Lamborghini sourced, 5.2 litre V10 TFSI, Audi RS6 still ranks up there as one of the most bonkers mad cars we’ve ever experienced. It had more power than all the planets orbiting the solar system combined. More than that, unlike an E63 AMG, it wasn’t quiet or relaxed to drive, it had an attitude about it that forced you to go full throttle anywhere, everywhere –all–the–time.
For Audi’s follow up to that astonishingly powerful car, the 2013 Audi RS6 will carry an upgraded version of the 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 from the S6 (pictured here), S7 Sportback and S8. Power output and torque should remain close to, if not 5% better than that of the outgoing 426 kW, V10. The engine will also be mated to a dual-clutch 7-speed automatic transmission as it is in the S6, S7 Sportback and S8; and of course it will use Quattro all-wheel-drive to nail all that power onto the tar. 0 – 100 km/h will come in 4.5 seconds with a limited top speed of 250 km/h. Although it will be capable of doing so much more if the limiter were to mysteriously be removed.
The extra torque now up to 700 Nm, coupled with a lighter engine and a lighter car which is expected to shed up to 100kg, should be enough to give the RS6 the performance edge over the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG and the BMW M5. And Audi aren’t only offering the RS6 is an Avant thankfully. You’ll be able to get a proper sedan as well. Bring it on.
