The Audi RS 6 is one of the clearest benchmarks of sports family cars. It is the perfect example that a car with a ranchera body and the versatility that this entails is not at all incompatible with high performance. This is his story.
It was born in 2001, so it has just completed two decades on the market and in this time it has evolved over four generations that, despite its advances, have kept its successful original formula intact.
First generation Audi RS 6
The debut of the Audi RS 6 came in 2001 with the update of the first generation of the Audi A6 (C5). From the first moment he made his intentions clear: 40 mm longer and wider bodywork, 18 or 19-inch wheels, specific bumpers and two oval exhaust outlets at the rear.
Under the hood, it had an engine tuned together with Cosworth, a 4.2 V8 biturbo block that delivered 450 hp and 560 Nm of maximum torque, it was the most powerful Audi in the range and accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 4, 7 seconds. As the end of its life cycle approached, the ‘plus’ version was launched, which had 480 hp and increased its top speed to 280 km/h.
Audi RS 6 second generation
The C6 grew, literally in every aspect. The key was the mechanic, with a 5.0 V10 engine that developed 580 hp and 650 Nm of torque, again heart-stopping figures that even exceeded the Audi R8.
The saloon accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, the Avant 4.6 seconds. Its maximum speed was 250 km/h, but it could be unlocked up to 280 km/h, while the RS 6 Plus reached 303 km/h.
Interesting details are that for the first time it could mount carbon-ceramic brakes, with 420 mm discs on the front axle and 356 mm on the rear; and that the Dynamic Ride Control could also mount electronically controlled shock absorbers as an option.
Audi RS 6 third generation
The RS 6 C7 arrived at a time (2013) when the trend was downsizing, so it went with the flow and said goodbye to the V10 engine to return to a V8, this time with only 4.0 litres, a power of 560 hp and 700 Nm of torque. Thanks to this, it completed the sprint up to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and could reach a maximum speed of 305 km/h.
During the generation it received an update that took it further than ever: the biturbo engine was updated to reach 605 hp and 750 Nm of maximum torque.
Audi RS 6 fourth generation
The current Audi RS 6 (C8) arrived on the market in 2019 and, again, was adapted to the prevailing trends, this time electrification. Keeping the 4.0 V8 biturbo block, it now had a microhybrid system (MHEV) that in Spain gives it the DGT ECO label.
Of course, without losing an iota of sportiness: 600 hp and 800 Nm of torque, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and only 12 to cross the 200 km/h barrier.
It is also the most imposing generation of all, with a really aggressive image seasoned by details such as 21-inch wheels that can optionally be 22, the body widened by 80 millimeters, the rear exhaust outlets, etc.