Audi RS6 2008 review

BMW might like to disagree, given its V10 M5, but it's hard to disagree with Audi when you look at the spec sheet that includes a twin-turbo V10 engine, quattro all-wheel drive and Audi's dynamic ride control suspension.

The RS6's 5.0-litre V10 engine also packs a considerable punch, with 426kW and 650Nm.

Like all Audi RS models, the Avant _ Audi speak for station wagon _ was developed by quattro GmbH.

It will cost $270,946 when it hits local showrooms next month.

An RS6 sedan will follow early next year.

The newest RS6 Avant comes with a long heritage attached to it.

The very first Audi RS2, launched in 1993, was built exclusively as a wagon.

With 1660 litres of luggage space, not only is the newest Avant versatile but it will challenge its fellow German rivals for power and performance.

The 5.0-litre V10, sourced from Lamborghini but reworked by Audi, bundles together FSI direct fuel injection, dry-sump lubrication and twin turbochargers.

With up to 1.6 bar of boost, these technologies provide a smooth delivery of power and performance.

Peak torque of 650Nm comes in from 1500 to 6250 revs while peak power of 426kW is generated between 6250 and 6700 revs.

The V10 catapults the car to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and has an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h.

Power flows through the new-generation quick shifting six-speed tiptronic transmission with paddle shifters.

The dynamic ride control has three damper settings, sport, dynamic and comfort and also reduces pitch and roll using purely mechanical means via hydraulic lines and valves that connect diagonally to opposing pairs of shock absorbers.

When cornering, the flow of fluid to the damper of the compressing outside front wheel increases, providing firmer support and reducing roll.

The electronic stability control has a higher activation threshold and in Sport mode it can also be deactivated entirely.

The Avant gets 20-inch alloys shod with 275/35 tyres.

Up front, six-piston fixed aluminium calipers, painted black and decorated with RS badges, clamp down on 390mm brakes front and 356mm rear.

The rear axle features single-piston floating brake calipers.

The brakes have large cooling ducts and axial perforations for enhanced performance and less weight.

Visually the Avant sports several distinctive RS features.

There is the single-frame grille, large air intakes, Xenon-plus headlights, adaptive light and LED daytime running lights, flared mudguards and deep side skirts, rear diffuser, a spoiler integrated into the rear hatch and the twin exhausts.

Standard equipment includes a colour monitor and TV reception, advanced key entry, electric glass sunroof, satellite navigation, dual-zone deluxe automatic air conditioning plus, front and rear parking sensors, three-spoke, multi-function leather sports steering wheel with flat-bottomed rim and a Bose surround sound system.

A boost pressure indicator for the two turbochargers in the driver information system rounds out the instrumentation.