First
launched in 2002, the RS6 is now marking 20 years of being Audi’s
all-wheel-drive performance estate and saloon icon. Proving to be a perfect
blend of performance and everyday practicality over four generations, it
continues to be as coveted as ever.
To mark the
milestone, here’s a look at back over 20 years of the Audi RS6…
The
first hit – the 2002 C5
Following
the success of the Audi RS4, the German firm’s performance arm was tasked with
creating another ‘sporty renovation’ of an existing model, and it was Audi’s
larger A6 saloon and estate that was selected.
Far from
being just an A6 with a larger engine, its suspension, transmission and even
the appearance were tweaked – growing in length and width. This was
predominantly to accommodate its 444bhp 4.2-litre V8 engine, which was actually
developed and tuned in the UK by Cosworth, and at the time was Audi’s most
powerful model.
The only
RS6 that actually went factory racing, the C5 could be had as both a saloon and
Avant estate, with the latter proving the most popular. At the end of the
production run, Audi launched a limited-run ‘Plus’ model, which saw its power
increase to 469bhp, while the speed limiter was raised from 155mph to 174mph.
The
10-cylinder icon – the 2008 C6
As if a V8
engine wasn’t enough, Audi increased the cylinder count to 10 for the second-generation
RS6, with a 5.0-litre unit being selected and producing a huge 572bhp – a power
figure that even exceeded the firm’s R8 supercar at the time.
It was a
huge engine, weighing close to 300kg on its own, and a major engineering feat
that had to use lots of motorsport know-how to tune. Again offered as a saloon
or estate, the former was able to accelerate from 0-60mph in just 4.3 seconds,
while ceramic brakes were an option for the first time.
But despite
the performance, the RS6’s styling was very subdued, not being much wider and
more aggressive to look at than a regular A6, which all added to its appeal at
the time.
‘Making
more from less’ – the 2013 C7
This
phrase, ‘making more from less’, was how Audi justified the use of a smaller
engine and moving away from the legendary V10 powerplant. In fact, launched in
2013, the C7 generation’s 4.0-litre V8 engine was actually the smallest in RS6
history. Power even dipped slightly to 552bhp, although thanks to an extensive
use of aluminium, Audi managed to shave 120kg from the model, making it much
better to drive.
The saloon
version of the RS6 was discontinued with this generation but was indirectly
replaced by the RS7 Sportback, while adaptive air suspension was introduced to
maximise ride comfort – something Audi’s customers had been asking for. Other
practical touches included a tow bar that could be specified for the first
time, while the popularity of the RS6 really grew with this generation.
Towards the
end of the C7’s life, Audi introduced a hotter Performance model, which saw
power increase to a huge 597bhp. In fact, it remains the most powerful RS6 to
date, with a 0-60mph time of just 3.7 seconds.
The tech
giant – the 2020 C8
In early
2020, Audi’s fourth-generation RS6 started to arrive in showrooms and brought a
whole range of advances.
Retaining
the twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine from its predecessor, power stood at 592bhp,
although its 3.4-second 0-60mph time makes it the fastest-accelerating version
of this wagon to date. It even ushered in light electrification, with a 48-volt
mild-hybrid system to enhance efficiency.
Responding
to demand for bolder-looking performance models, this latest RS6 is the most
aggressive-looking version yet, riding on huge 21-inch alloy wheels as
standard, while its extended bodykit makes it three inches wider than the
regular A6. In fact, the only panels carried over from the standard A6 Avant
are the roof, front doors and tailgate. For the first time, the RS6 also rolls
off the main production line, rather than receiving alterations in a specific
hall like its predecessors do.
The first
RS6 to be sold in the US, the C8 also brims with the latest technology, from
its rear-wheel steering system to a cabin dominated by screens to give it a
particularly modern feel.