2013 Audi RS6 Avant: 190mph & 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds

The 2013 Audi RS6 Avant has been revealed with a V8 552bhp Twin Scroll Turbo delivering 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds and up to 190mph.

[nggallery id=1322 template=customlinks]

The old version of the Audi RS6 Avant was a stand out car because of its 4WD and creamy V10 engine. But Audi are going the route of most car makers and lopping off cylinders to improve economy, leaving them with a problem finding a USP for  the latest 2013 RS6 Avant – how to make it stand out against cars like the BMW M5 and Mercedes E63. But they’ve managed it.

The 2013 Audi RS6 Avant comes with a 552bhp version of the twin-scroll V8 found in the latest, most powerful Audis (and the Bentley Continental GT V8) which, despite being 28bhp down on the power of the old V10 RS6 (although it does have 37lb/ft more torque – 516lb/ft) can get to 62mph in a supercar-bashing 3.9 seconds and, in standard guise, 155mph.

But spend more than the £77k Audi will want for the new RS6 Avant by opting for the Dynamic Package and top speed increases to 174mph. Dig even deeper and spec the Dynamic Package Plus and you can power on to 190mph. In an estate.

All that power goes through an eight-speed ZF auto ‘box with flappy paddles, shorter ratios and delivering power to all four wheels via a modified self-locking centre diff with a Sport diff, which can distribute torque between the back wheels, coming as an option.

The RS6 Avant’s suspension – adaptive air suspension for the first time on an Audi RS – gets continuously adaptive damping and sits 20mm lower than the S6 with new brakes hidden by standard 20″ alloys and a ceramic brake option.

Despite all that performance, Audi say the new RS6 Avant is 30 per cent more economical thanks in part to a 100kg weight loss, but also thanks to Stop-Start and Audi’s ‘Cylinder on Demand’ technology which shuts down four of the eight cylinders when load is light. That means official economy of 28.8mpg.

Cosmetically. the new RS6 Avant gets matte aluminium finishes, a matte black honeycomb grill and more aggressive bumpers, sill flares and wings with a rear diffuser, big back spoiler and big, elliptical exhaust pipes.

You can add to the bolder look of the RS6 with either the Matte Aluminium of Carbon Packs with a choice of eight colours for the paint including a matte Daytona Grey.

Inside, the instruments feature black faces with white dials and red needles, RS Sports seats with big bolsters, Valcona leather – with an Alcantara and leather option – and a plethora of ‘RS’ logos.

Options will be extensive – and it’s easy toi imagine paying £100k for the new RS6 Avant – with stuff like Ceramic Brakes, Sports Suspension with Dynamic Ride, 1200w B&O sound and just about anything else you can conceive of.

The 2013 Audi RS6 Avant – costing from £77k – will go on sale in the UK in summer 2013.

2013 Audi RS6 Avant Photos >>