Audi RS6 review, test drive

Audi’s high-performance RS6 Avant is here. But is it strong enough to change the buyers’ stance on estates?

Published on Jul 03, 2015 08:00:00 AM

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What is it?

Many things. The Audi RS6 Avant is, at present, the only estate you can buy in India. It is also the first estate from a luxury carmaker in India. More excitingly it also happens to be one of the fastest of its type. With a claimed 0-100kph time of 3.9 seconds and a possible top speed of 305kph, it’s a car that, for reference, can keep up with the BMW M5s and Mercedes-AMG E63s of the world. In a nutshell, the RS6 is powerful, fast and loud – not words you’d normally associate with the average estate.

It doesn’t look like your average estate either. In essence, a high-performance version of the well- proportioned A6 Avant available abroad, the RS6 looks menacing and hot. Whether it was the fiery scarlet red paint of our test car or elements such as the large air intakes up front, exaggerated wheel arches and massive (albeit optional) 21-inch wheels, the RS6 was an attention magnet wherever we went. And to think estates were considered borderline boring! Even the tail end looks all business, thanks to the carbon fibre diffuser and the pair of oversized exhausts.

The cabin is no less special. Chunky flat-bottomed steering wheel apart, there’s plenty of alcantara, brushed aluminium and carbon-fibre trimming on the inside to distinguish it from the more everyday versions of the A6. The familiar dash remains as user-friendly as ever with all controls positioned within easy reach. The RS6 Avant gets front sport seats as standard that look sexy and offer great support. But, the option to adjust side bolstering would have been nice. The rear seats are more standard in form, but offer enough comfort for two occupants; the middle passenger will have to contend with the high centre tunnel.

Those interested in the RS6 Avant more for its virtues as an estate than as a performance car will be happy to know it’s got a very practical side too. The powered tail-gate lifts to reveal a well-shaped, 565-litre luggage bay. It’s large enough to be useful house-moving missions. It’s also enough space for your dog to move around in. Should you need more space, the rear seats fold down flat to free up 1680-litre of luggage room.