The Audi RS6 Avant is already a blisteringly quick and fascinating automobile, however that hasn’t stopped Audi from one-upping itself by introducing the track-focused, Audi 90 IMSA GTO–impressed RS6 Avant GT. Sadly, Audi is barely producing 660 RS6 GTs for all the world, and simply 85 are allotted for america, so anybody who will get to drive one among these depraved wagons is sort of a fortunate soul. I really feel very lucky to have spent two hours behind the wheel of a prototype on an empty Streets of Willow at Willow Springs Raceway, in what was one of many highlights of my profession. That is the swan music for the present RS6 Avant, and what a solution to exit.
Full disclosure: Audi rented out Streets of Willow at Willow Springs Raceway and invited little previous me to drive the RS6 GT on an empty monitor for a number of hours. I bought to share the monitor with the legendary Audi 90 IMSA GTO automobile that impressed the RS6 GT, and examine it side-by-side with the RS6 Efficiency. It was an unbelievable morning, and I’m very grateful for the chance. Thanks Audi!
Whereas the pace freaks might need for added energy over the RS6 Efficiency’s 621 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, the RS6 GT doesn’t reply that decision, but it surely’s nonetheless a tenth of a second quicker to 60 mph than the Efficiency at an Audi-claimed 3.3 seconds. The U.S.-spec RS6 GT is blessed with a 33-ish-pound weight discount in comparison with the plebian RS6 Efficiency, with most of that weight reduction coming from the transition to adjustable coilover suspension, gargantuan carbon-ceramic brakes, and the GT’s carbon-fiber hood and entrance fenders. These coilovers decrease the GTs experience top by 0.4 inches in comparison with the Efficiency’s air suspension, and the transmission and differential tuning are extra aggressive within the GT, although the tuning adjustments had been fairly imperceptible from behind the wheel.
Audi’s legendary Quattro all-wheel-drive system retains this large wagon on the pleasant facet of enjoyable, bestowing the motive force with ridiculous confidence after just some quick laps. I drove it back-to-back with an RS6 Efficiency, which illuminated the advantages of the GT’s coilovers, decrease experience top, and carbon brakes.
On monitor, the GT feels extra buttoned-down when in comparison with the RS6 Efficiency, with the coilovers nearly eliminating physique roll and the ceramic brakes seemingly by no means breaking a sweat. The RS6 GT is an intoxicating machine to drive laborious, with the dual turbo 4.0-liter V8 offering gobs of energy and a heavenly soundtrack, Quattro to maintain you secure, and chassis tech to maintain issues enjoyable. It’s nonetheless a giant, heavy Audi, so it’ll understeer when you’re driving poorly or oversteer when you drive it correctly. The steering isn’t particularly communicative, however I’m nonetheless in a position to really feel what the entrance wheels are doing more often than not. The 8-speed computerized transmission does a good job of choosing the proper gear for you, although I generally discovered myself wishing for a extra keen downshift tendency, which might at all times be achieved by utilizing the wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
Hopping into the RS6 Efficiency after a number of laps within the GT revealed a noticeable distinction in automobile demeanor. The Efficiency displays extra physique roll, its brakes don’t really feel fairly as sharp, and I missed the GT’s bespoke Continental SportContact 7 tires. The transmission tuning felt the identical between the 2 automobiles, with critically speedy and aggressive upshifts, and the differential tuning additionally felt very related, permitting for some slip within the rear to maintain the large wagon feeling full of life.
Magnificence is subjective, however my jaw dropped each time I stepped out of the automobile and admired its exterior. Even placing the particular graphics and IMSA GTO inspiration apart, the GT has a imply stance. The manhole-cover-sized 22-inch six-spoke white wheels tuck properly beneath the vast fenders due to the decrease experience top, and there are new air vents aft of the entrance wheels that look superior. The nostril of the automobile is nearly solely devoted to the gaping maw of a grille, and the rear spoiler, whereas comparatively refined, pairs with a brand new diffuser to provide the GT’s rear finish a tasteful modded look. Each facet of this automobile’s look, from its menacing stance to its ground-hugging bodywork to its historic graphics, is a singular model of Euro cool that solely Audi can execute. The RS6 Efficiency is already a looker, however the RS6 GT’s distinctive styling cues flip this station wagon into one among, if not the, coolest new automobile on the highway.
Contained in the GT is enterprise as ordinary for Audi, with all of the creature comforts you might ever need from a luxurious automobile. GT-specific niceties embrace the compulsory particular version construct quantity etched into the middle console, GT-specific purple seat belts and stitching, RS6 GT badging, and a singular purple carbon-fiber weave on some inside surfaces. It won’t be offered with a sunroof, however that’s not a nasty factor in my view. Within the U.S., we received’t have the choice of including the carbon bucket seats that this Euro-spec take a look at automobile was fitted with, which is a disgrace as they had been comfy and stored my bony butt securely bolted down. You continue to get moderately spacious rear seats and a flexible trunk area, so it’s nonetheless the final word automobile for households who’ve a necessity for pace.
How intently the RS6 GT is tied to the Audi 90 IMSA GTO past styling cues is questionable, however Audi says racing actually does inform the event of its highway automobile expertise. I solely skilled the GT on a clean race monitor, so I can’t communicate to its every day drivability, however even with the coilover suspension it shouldn’t be wherever close to uncomfortable, and you’ll choice again the air suspension if you would like. U.S. pricing hasn’t been introduced but, however for the reason that RS6 Efficiency begins at $125,800, I might estimate the RS6 GT’s worth to be nearer to $175,000. In case you can afford it and you’re keen on automobiles, driving, and searching cool, purchase an Audi RS6 GT and take it to the monitor a few times or each single weekend. You received’t remorse it.
