Performance car of the year 2022 Finalist: Audi RS6 Avant
So you’re Darth Vader? Well, we think we have your car! Happily Audi, still remains smitten with station wagons strong enough to align the stars. For now. Angular and purposeful in dark Sebring Darth Vader hue, it seems to be travelling at 300 km/h standing still. Even if the Audi RS6 Avant is limited to 280 with this one’s RS option.
LOOKS THE PART. TURNS HEADS TOO
There’s good reason why it looks so squat. RS6 is 40 mm wider. Flatter, sportier HD Matrix LED headlamps add to the effect. They punctuate the 3D single frame grille and ducts. And proved a revelation at night. Its estate roots really make this one pop. RS6’s long, flat roofline stretches back to a dramatic story aft. Amplified vocal black RS sport exhaust tips sit each side of the rear splitter. Add a tow hitch for good measure!
RS6 Avant has Audi’s latest mild hybrid 441 kW 800 Nm 4-litre TFSI biturbo V8 turning all four wheels via a shift-optimised eight-speed auto. That 48-volt belt alternator hybrid is interesting. It recovers 12 kW in gentle driving to charge up a lithium-ion battery and then use said juice to aid start-stop driving up to 22 km/h. Cylinder on demand deactivates half the V8’s cylinders in four-pot mode in lighter driving. All of which saves three of four litres a tank.
Not so sure how much it saves with those turbos all spooled up. Push it and RS6 becomes a drunkard with a platinum card on pay day. Of course, the RS6 Avant is not really about saving the planet. It’s more about the cool bits. Like its sonorous, full cream V8 howl. A wonderful racket highlighted by a biturbo scream customisable by RS1 and RS2 modes. Makes any tunnel worthy of doing again. And again.
THE QUICKEST WAGON WE EVER TESTED
The quattro bit has a mechanical self-locking centre differential. With RS Dynamic sport to seamlessly spread up to 70 percent forward and 85 percent aft. All of which means RS6 is now even quicker to 100 km/h. It took a quite astounding 3.3 seconds. And it pulled a mid-11-second quarter mile with staggering overtaking ability, too. So it’s the quickest wagon we’ve ever tested.
285/30 rubber is wrapped around four splendid 22-inch alloys framing internally ventilated and perforated steel disc brakes. Aluminium-rich five-link front and rear RS adaptive air suspension has six mode Dynamic Ride Control with two individual RS settings. It rides splendidly in normal driving. But it also handles brilliantly, turns in precisely and follows through beautifully when pushed. Quattro may rob a touch of deftness but it’s a sure driver confidence booster.
RS6 has a dreamy cabin dominated by honeycomb black Valcona leather sports seats. A latest haptic MMI RS monitor has the kitchen sink packed in. RS dials sit behind a chunky multifunction paddle shift sport steering wheel. But the biggest RS6 advantage is that it’s a wagon. A foot gesture power tailgate opens the cavernous trunk. It grows triple the size with its 40:20:40 split rear bench folded. Not enough? The power swivelling hitch will tow a 2,100 kg braked trailer.
RS6 AVANT HAS OUTER WORLDLY STYLE
The Audi RS6 is a rare top end station wagon. There’s a certain outer worldliness about its style and execution. It looks magnificent, sounds incredible and feels spectacular to drive. So, there you go Darth Vader — take Bat Woman home!
PERFORMANCE CAR OF THE YEAR 2022 FINALIST Audi RS6 Avant quattro Engine: 441kW 800Nm 4-litre biturbo petrol V8 Drive: 8-speed automatic AWD TESTED: 0-100 km/h: 3.37 sec 0-160 km/h: 7.69 sec 400m: 11.4 sec @ 195 km/h 80-120 km/h: 2.24 sec CLAIMED: VMax: 280 km/h Fuel: 12.2 l/100km CO2: 285 g/km Warranty/Service: 1y Unl./5y 100K km LIST PRICE: R2.11M
Performance car of the year 2022 Program Pcoty ‘22 Introduction Audi RS 6 Avant BMW M5 Competition Ford Ranger Raptor SE Jaguar I-Pace Mercedes-AMG A45 S Mercedes-AMG E 63 S Mini Cooper SE Toyota GR Yaris Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI Pcoty ‘22 Electric Shootout Pcoty ‘22 Super Hatch Shootout Pcoty‘ 22 Super Saloon Shootout Pcoty '22 Top Three Pcoty ‘22 Winner