The Audi RS6 Avant is already a blisteringly quick and fascinating car, however that hasn’t stopped Audi from one-upping itself by introducing the track-focused, Audi 90 IMSA GTO–impressed RS6 Avant GT. Sadly, Audi is simply producing 660 RS6 GTs for your entire world, and simply 85 are allotted for the USA, so anybody who will get to drive one in all these depraved wagons is sort of a fortunate soul. I really feel very lucky to have spent two hours behind the wheel of a prototype on an empty Streets of Willow at Willow Springs Raceway, in what was one of many highlights of my profession. That is the swan music for the present RS6 Avant, and what a technique to exit.
Full disclosure: Audi rented out Streets of Willow at Willow Springs Raceway and invited little outdated me to drive the RS6 GT on an empty monitor for a number of hours. I acquired to share the monitor with the legendary Audi 90 IMSA GTO automotive that impressed the RS6 GT, and evaluate it side-by-side with the RS6 Efficiency. It was an unbelievable morning, and I’m very grateful for the chance. Thanks Audi!
Whereas the pace freaks might need for added energy over the RS6 Efficiency’s 621 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, the RS6 GT doesn’t reply that decision, however it’s nonetheless a tenth of a second sooner to 60 mph than the Efficiency at an Audi-claimed 3.3 seconds. The U.S.-spec RS6 GT is blessed with a 33-ish-pound weight discount in comparison with the plebian RS6 Efficiency, with most of that weight reduction coming from the transition to adjustable coilover suspension, gargantuan carbon-ceramic brakes, and the GT’s carbon-fiber hood and entrance fenders. These coilovers decrease the GTs experience top by 0.4 inches in comparison with the Efficiency’s air suspension, and the transmission and differential tuning are extra aggressive within the GT, although the tuning adjustments had been fairly imperceptible from behind the wheel.
Audi’s legendary Quattro all-wheel-drive system retains this massive wagon on the pleasant facet of enjoyable, bestowing the driving force with ridiculous confidence after only a few brief laps. I drove it back-to-back with an RS6 Efficiency, which illuminated the advantages of the GT’s coilovers, decrease experience top, and carbon brakes.
On monitor, the GT feels extra buttoned-down when in comparison with the RS6 Efficiency, with the coilovers just about eliminating physique roll and the ceramic brakes seemingly by no means breaking a sweat. The RS6 GT is an intoxicating machine to drive onerous, with the dual turbo 4.0-liter V8 offering gobs of energy and a heavenly soundtrack, Quattro to maintain you protected, and chassis tech to maintain issues enjoyable. It’s nonetheless an enormous, heavy Audi, so it’ll understeer should you’re driving poorly or oversteer should you drive it correctly. The steering isn’t particularly communicative, however I’m nonetheless capable of really feel what the entrance wheels are doing more often than not. The 8-speed automated transmission does a good job of choosing the proper gear for you, although I typically discovered myself wishing for a extra keen downshift tendency, which might all the time be achieved by utilizing the wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
Hopping into the RS6 Efficiency after a number of laps within the GT revealed a noticeable distinction in car demeanor. The Efficiency displays extra physique roll, its brakes don’t really feel fairly as sharp, and I missed the GT’s bespoke Continental SportContact 7 tires. The transmission tuning felt the identical between the 2 automobiles, with critically fast and aggressive upshifts, and the differential tuning additionally felt very comparable, permitting for some slip within the rear to maintain the massive wagon feeling full of life.
Magnificence is subjective, however my jaw dropped each time I stepped out of the automotive and admired its exterior. Even placing the particular graphics and IMSA GTO inspiration apart, the GT has a imply stance. The manhole-cover-sized 22-inch six-spoke white wheels tuck properly beneath the huge fenders because of the decrease experience top, and there are new air vents aft of the entrance wheels that look superior. The nostril of the automotive is sort of totally devoted to the gaping maw of a grille, and the rear spoiler, whereas comparatively refined, pairs with a brand new diffuser to present the GT’s rear finish a tasteful modded look. Each facet of this automotive’s look, from its menacing stance to its ground-hugging bodywork to its historic graphics, is a singular model of Euro cool that solely Audi can execute. The RS6 Efficiency is already a looker, however the RS6 GT’s distinctive styling cues flip this station wagon into one in all, if not the, coolest new automotive on the highway.
Contained in the GT is enterprise as normal for Audi, with all of the creature comforts you possibly can ever need from a luxurious automotive. GT-specific niceties embrace the compulsory particular version construct quantity etched into the middle console, GT-specific pink seat belts and stitching, RS6 GT badging, and a singular pink carbon-fiber weave on some inside surfaces. It won’t be offered with a sunroof, however that’s not a foul factor in my view. Within the U.S., we received’t have the choice of including the carbon bucket seats that this Euro-spec take a look at automotive was fitted with, which is a disgrace as they had been comfy and saved my bony butt securely bolted down. You continue to get moderately spacious rear seats and a flexible trunk house, so it’s nonetheless the final word automotive for households who’ve a necessity for pace.
How intently the RS6 GT is tied to the Audi 90 IMSA GTO past styling cues is questionable, however Audi says racing actually does inform the event of its highway automotive know-how. I solely skilled the GT on a clean race monitor, so I can’t communicate to its each day drivability, however even with the coilover suspension it shouldn’t be wherever close to uncomfortable, and you may choice again the air suspension in order for you. U.S. pricing hasn’t been introduced but, however because the RS6 Efficiency begins at $125,800, I’d estimate the RS6 GT’s worth to be nearer to $175,000. If you happen to can afford it and you’re keen on automobiles, driving, and looking out cool, purchase an Audi RS6 GT and take it to the monitor a few times or each single weekend. You received’t remorse it.
