Audi RS6 Price & Performance

German luxury behemoth Audi , has launched the Audi RS6 in India adding to the company’s already rich portfolio. The Audi RS6 Avant is a performance centric version of the A6. Audi has already charmed the Indian audience with its many refined luxury vehicles. The Audi RS6 has recently joined the family and graces the company’s Indian portfolio. The Audi RS6 Avant will be brought imported in India as completely built units and is one of the classiest offerings from Audi India.

EXTERIOR AND LOOK ;

The company has launched this vehicle with a sporty exterior appearance, which will certainly lure the car enthusiasts. It is fitted with a number of striking features, which gives the occupants an attractive look. To begin with the frontage, it is designed with a massive radiator grille in single frame, which has a few chrome slats. There is a prominent company insignia, which is embedded in the center of this grille. It is surrounded by a headlight cluster has a sleek design and is equipped with Matrix LED headlamps, which are extremely radiant. Just below this, it has a body colored bumper that looks quite aggressive and houses a wide air intake section along with a pair of air ducts for cooling purpose. This air dam is flanked by a couple of bright LED fog lamps along with day time running lights that gives the frontage a distinct look. Its large windscreen is made of heat insulated glass and fitted with a set of rain sensing wipers as well. The sleek bonnet has a few visible character lines. Coming to its side profile, it is elegantly designed with a few expressive lines and body colored door handles along with outside rear view mirrors. The door sill of has chrome finish with Quattro logo. Its external rear view mirrors are integrated with side turn blinker and are electrically adjustable. These mirrors are also auto foldable and come with auto dimming function as well. While top end variant is blessed with automatic anti glare action and memory function as well. The flared up wheel arches are expected to be fitted with a classy set of cast aluminum alloy wheels, which are covered with high performance tubeless radial tyres that gives a superior grip, while off-roading. Its rear end has a lot of attractive features that gives the crossover a captivating appearance. It has a large windscreen that is integrated with a defogger, which has a self timer. It is accompanied by a sporty roof spoiler that is fitted with a LED high mounted third brake light. The curvy boot lid is fitted with prominent company badging and a thick chrome strip that adds to the elegance. The body colored bumper is fitted with an aluminum under guard for preventing the vehicle from minor damages. It is also gets an optional package like Matte aluminum styling package, which includes air intake duct, side flaps, rear diffuser with Quattro logo in the titanium grey. Apart from these, the buyers can also opt for few more packages like carbon styling and gloss black styling package.

INTERIOR AND COMFORT ;

Much like the exterior, the interior was carried over from the standard RS6 Avant. As a result of that, the wagon is equipped with bolstered sports seats that have integrated head restraints, a custom instrument cluster with black faces, white dials, and red needles, a three-spoke, leather wrapped steering wheel, and a power-retractable display for the MMI navigation system. Other standard features include four-zone automatic air conditioning, MMI navigation plus with MMI touch and the Audi sound system. Optional features range from a head-up display and the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System to various driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control with night vision assistant and Audi connect.Specific Performance features include new seat upholstery in an Alcantara and leather with a honeycomb pattern and matchingcontrasting stitching on the armrests, control elements and floor mats, Alcantara knee pads, and carbon twill blue inlays made from carbon-fiber interwoven with a blue thread.Cargo capacity remains unchanged from the RS6 Avant, meaning the Performance model offers 564 liters (20 cubic feet) of cargo room with the seats up and 1,680 liters (59.3 cubic feet) with the rear seats folded flat.

ENGINE AND GEARBOX ;

As I have mentioned time and again, automotive journalists love being surprised. And we love a powerful engine that pushes us back into our seats and have the wind knock out of us. And the RS6 does both, with grace. Under the hood is a monster of a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine that makes a staggering 568PS of peak power and an equally staggering 700Nm of peak torque. Push the start button and the RS6 comes to life with a grown and a burble that would make every single petrol head in the world grin ear to ear.Floor the throttle pedal and the RS6 shakes like a 60s American muscle car hinting at the kind of performance you can expect. We cant help but mention again how absolutely sublime both the engine and the exhaust note are though with its well timed crackles and grunts. So how is it to drive? Well, potter around town in full comfort mode and it feels as comfortable and quiet as any other large Audi does. In fact, the engine actually cuts off four of the eight cylinders if it feels that the car does not really need that level of performance, which results in a surprisingly easy to drive experience in the city in start-stop traffic.The gearbox too is crisp and great and has no lag at all when you tug on the aluminum paddle shifters. Of course, on a slightly wet surface, the RS6 can be quite the handful to drive with the traction control and the Quattro system working in overdrive mode but it still manages to feel controlled at all times if you ignore the torque steer that does creep in sometimes. All said and done, the RS6 is one of those performance cars that most forgiving and can be driven briskly in any condition.

DRIVING DYNAMICS ;

The Audi RS6 Avant comes with 35-profile 20-inch wheels but despite this, the ride quality is surprisingly good. The estate can soak up most undulations without losing its composure. At high speeds, again the ride is very good and the car remains stable and maintains its line. The steering is really nice and it weighs up brilliantly. Handling is also fun but you can most certainly feel the length of the car while cornering. The Avant gets awesome brakes which are very sharp but due to the high speeds that the car does, the brake pads wear out really quickly.

SAFETY FEATURES ;

The Audi RS6 Avant is equipped with full size airbags for front and rear occupants. Adding to it, the car also offers side, front and head airbags for all the passengers. It is loaded with advanced safety and security features like anti-lock brake system (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and hydraulic brake assist and anti-slip regulation (ASR) that avoids wheel-locking and skidding during panic braking. Also on offer is the electronic differential lock that offers good control while running on slippery surfaces. Other safety features include night vision assistant, cruise control, hold assist, rear view camera, camera based limit display, child-proof lock, safety steering column, to name a few.

CONCLUSSION ;

Given the unfavourable response to estates in India, the RS6 Avant comes across as a curious addition to Audi’s line-up. However, think of the RS6 as a performance car that just happens to be an estate and you’ll see it in the right light. This is a blistering fast car for those who must have something different. The estate shape will not only help the RS6 standout at the odd supercar gathering, but also gives it a practicality you wouldn’t associate with a high-speed machine.Question is, how many performance-car buyers will be willing to break the norm? It’s a pertinent question, because even the Ferrari FF’s shooting-brake form hasn’t found too many takers in India. Still, if the Rs 1.35 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi) RS6 Avant proves to be a success in the segment, it could just result in more estates coming to India at lower price points.