If there’s one thing Audi excels at, it’s blending blistering performance with everyday usability. Enter the 2024 Audi RS 6 Avant Performance; the latest manifestation of Audi’s relentless pursuit in building the ultimate performance wagon.
With its sleek and muscular design, luxurious appointments, and tidy interior, the latest RS 6 is the most powerful iteration yet. But it is the best generation and is it still the pinnacle in stock wagon performance?
2024 Audi RS 6 Avant Performance: Specifications
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
Output: 463kW@6000rpm / 850Nm@2300-4500rpm
Gearbox: Eight-speed dauto
Drive type: All-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 22×10.5, 285/30
ANCAP: Five stars
Tare weight: 2265kg
Power-to-weight: 4.89:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 11.8L/100km
Our consumption: 14L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 73L/98 RONPower efficiency: 25.71kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 1.78 seconds*
0-100km/h: 3.53 seconds*
0-200km/h: 11.68 seconds*
60-110km/h: 2.21 seconds*
1/4 mile: 11.57 seconds at 198.9km/h*
Max acceleration: 1.264g*
100-0km/h braking: 34.67m in 2.77s*
Max deceleration: -1.425g*
Decibel at idle: 52*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 91*
Starting price: $251,000
*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2024 Audi RS 6 Avant Performance: How much does it cost?
Before we even get behind the wheel, let’s address the elephant in the room: the price tag. Starting at a hefty $251,000, the RS6 Avant Performance isn’t for the faint of heart or thin of wallet.
However, for those who can afford it, the bragging rights alone should be enough to justify the outlay. And at this end of the market, paying more can actually be a good thing as it increases exclusivity. But to the rest of us, yes, this is a ridiculous price for a station wagon.
In saying that, its nearest rivals were the outgoing BMW M5 Competition (last priced from $273,600 in 2023), and the outgoing Mercedes-AMG E 63 (last priced from $270,468 in 2023). Right now, there are no direct rivals.
2024 Audi RS 6 Avant Performance: Interior & packaging
Step inside the RS6 and you’re greeted by a cabin that’s equal parts prestige and sensible, and clubsport and driver-focused. Premium materials abound, with leather upholstery, carbon fibre trim, and Alcantara accents creating an atmosphere of sportiness and expense.
The seating position is spot-on, with ample adjustability ensuring that drivers of all shapes and sizes can find their ideal driving position. As for practicality, the Avant body style offers plenty of cargo space, making it perfect for those who need to haul more than just themselves. Boot space is measured at 565L/1680L.
Rear seat accommodation and space is also more than adequate, after all, this is an Audi A6. Full climate control with dual zones in the back, charging ports, and more of that quality leather cement its flagship status. Even the floor carpets feel really nice and perfectly finished. And so they should given this is a quarter of a million dollars.
However, it’s not all sunshine and blooming flowers. While the interior is undeniably luxurious, some may find the design a bit conservative compared to the more avant-garde interiors found in other $250,000 cars. This is the Audi way, being very clinical and precise, but it can lack personality and pizazz in relation to its price.
Additionally, while the 10.1-inch infotainment system is feature-packed and easy to use, it, too, is very clean and uneventful. The menu flow is very logical, with simple grid-style presentation. This is great for a practical run-around, but considering that price again, one might expect something a little different to say, the $50k A3. These screens really aren’t that different.
As standard you get the usual stuff like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a surround-view camera system, digital radio and whatnot. However, it also comes with a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system with a sub-woofer and separate amplifier. This a superb system, as you’d expect.
There are plenty of options if you want to personalise your car and set it apart from others. Audi offers a range of 22-inch alloy wheel designs at no extra cost, as well as ‘RS design packages’ in red or blue for $2900, and a ‘carbon and black’ exterior package for $8700. If you want black badges, that’ll be $700.
This test car has the RS Design Package in blue ($2900), the matt grey exterior styling package ($700), blue-highlighted carbon fibre interior trim ($2100), and the 5-Y-spoke matt grey 22-inch wheels (no extra cost).
2024 Audi RS 6 Avant Performance: Powertrain & handling
Now, let’s talk about what really matters; performance. Under the bonnet lies a beastly 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, producing an earth-shaking 463kW and 850Nm. Mash the throttle and you’re treated to a symphony of deep metallic gargle and then a lion-esque roar, soon followed by immense g-force that ripples through your body.
The sense of urgency belies its size, and weight. This 2150kg (kerb) mass seems unperturbed by the laws of physics. It doesn’t matter what gear you’re in or how steep the road is, this engine and eight-speed auto has enormous pull that absolutely and completely blows your mind.
Out on a private road we ran some tests and witnessed 0-100km/h in 3.53 seconds, 0-200km/h in 11.68 seconds, and the quarter mile in 11.57 seconds at 198.9km/h. Even 0-60km/h. It’s over in 1.78 seconds.
We’ve all seen this from high-end EVs, but it’s a totally different experience when a combustion engine can achieves this. There are so many moving parts and all of them have to have their shit together to make this happen. It’s not just a light switch. It’s painstaking mechanical engineering.
Forgetting about straight-line speed for a moment, the RS 6 Avant shines in the corners as well. Thanks to Audi’s legendary quattro all-wheel-drive system and a sport differential at the back, the RS 6 corners with the poise and agility of a much smaller car. Body roll is pretty much non-existent, and the steering offers plenty of feedback (lots more than a typical Audi setup), allowing the you to place the car exactly where you want it on the road. Including during high-speed aggressive driving.
Grip levels are just stupendous. You can apply bags of throttle right in the middle of the corner and the trick AWD system sorts it out and supplies nothing but relentless lateral stance and catapulting corner escapes. It really is amazing the way engineers are able to achieve such agility and confidence, even when you feed it idiotic demands.
That said, it’s not all perfect. While the RS 6 Avant performance handles monumentally for a car of its size, it can’t quite match the razor-sharp precision of its Bavarian-born competitor. The BMW M5 offers a higher concentration of high-tempo dynamism and it is the better driver’s car in my opinion, especially with its ability to switch into RWD mode. There is a slight numbness in the steering feel in this, comparatively speaking.
Fortunately though, none of it really matters unless you’re planning on tackling lap times. This can take you to the snow for a weekend away and perform impeccably as a stately grand touring vehicle. The ride is firmer than an ordinary A6 but it is manageable if you’re used to sports cars. And it looks so freaking cool. To me, this is the best-looking wagon on sale. Don’t judge by these photos; you need to see one first-hand.
2024 Audi RS 6 Avant Performance: Key attractions/reasons to buy
- The coolest wagon on sale: Name something better. I’ll wait.
- Performance: Truly incredible acceleration and speed for a 2.1-tonne vehicle, and one with a combustion engine.
- Clean and practical: It’s still an Audi wagon at the end of the day, so you’ve got all the space you need for five people and their luggage.
- Legendary AWD grip: It might not have the pure steering feel of a BMW or majestic presence of a Mercedes, but boy does this thing know how to grip up and hammer around corners.
2024 Audi RS 6 Avant Performance: Key considerations before you buy
- Price: It’s a quarter of a million dollars. For a station wagon. Dig only a bit deeper and you could have yourself a supercar or a Porsche 911.
- Similar in-car tech to an Audi A3: The screens inside are very sharp and refined, with quality graphics. But in all honestly, you get a similar thing in an Audi A3.
- Conservative interior design: Likewise with the touch-screen, this interior doesn’t really stand out above cheaper Audi models. Carbon fibre and Alcantara are nice touches, but it doesn’t scream $250k. Although net and tidy can also be good thing; practical.
2024 Audi RS 6 Avant Performance: Video
How does it rate against its rivals?
- Price
- Quality look & feel
- Interior tech
- Powertrain performance
- Ride & handling
- X factor (does it stand out in its class?)
Final word
Right now, there is nothing quite like this on the market; hugely powerful V8 wagon that offers epic performance and practicality in equal measure. It is the ultimate expression of automotive engineering in wagon format. While its price tag is high, it is less expensive than its nearest rivals. The conservative interior design is the main letdown in our view, but it’s probably going to be a none-issue for most.
