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 barely producing 660 RS6 GTs for the whole world, and simply 85 are allotted for the USA, so anybody who will get to drive one in every of 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 tune 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 previous me to drive the RS6 GT on an empty monitor for a couple of hours. I obtained to share the monitor with the legendary Audi 90 IMSA GTO automobile 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 velocity freaks may 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, nevertheless 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 peak 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 have been fairly imperceptible from behind the wheel.
Audi’s legendary Quattro all-wheel-drive system retains this huge wagon on the pleasant facet of enjoyable, bestowing the motive force with ridiculous confidence after just some brief laps. I drove it back-to-back with an RS6 Efficiency, which illuminated the advantages of the GT’s coilovers, decrease experience peak, 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 exhausting, with the dual turbo 4.0-liter V8 offering gobs of energy and a heavenly soundtrack, Quattro to maintain you secure, and chassis tech to maintain issues enjoyable. It’s nonetheless a giant, heavy Audi, so it’ll understeer in case you’re driving poorly or oversteer in case 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 computerized transmission does a decent job of selecting the best gear for you, although I typically discovered myself wishing for a extra keen downshift tendency, which may at all times be achieved through the use of 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 reveals 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 vehicles, with severely speedy and aggressive upshifts, and the differential tuning additionally felt very comparable, permitting for some slip within the rear to maintain the large wagon feeling energetic.
Magnificence is subjective, however my jaw dropped each time I stepped out of the automobile 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 large fenders because of the decrease experience peak, and there are new air vents aft of the entrance wheels that look superior. The nostril of the automobile is sort of completely devoted to the gaping maw of a grille, and the rear spoiler, whereas comparatively refined, pairs with a brand new diffuser to offer the GT’s rear finish a tasteful modded look. Each facet of this automobile’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 every of, if not the, coolest new automobile on the street.
Contained in the GT is enterprise as normal for Audi, with all of the creature comforts you possibly can ever need from a luxurious automobile. GT-specific niceties embrace the compulsory particular version construct quantity etched into the middle console, GT-specific crimson seat belts and stitching, RS6 GT badging, and a singular crimson carbon-fiber weave on some inside surfaces. It is not going to be bought with a sunroof, however that’s not a nasty factor for my part. Within the U.S., we received’t have the choice of including the carbon bucket seats that this Euro-spec take a look at automobile was fitted with, which is a disgrace as they have been comfy and saved my bony butt securely bolted down. You continue to get fairly spacious rear seats and a flexible trunk area, so it’s nonetheless the last word automobile for households who’ve a necessity for velocity.
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 street automobile expertise. I solely skilled the GT on a easy race monitor, so I can’t converse to its day by day drivability, however even with the coilover suspension it shouldn’t be anyplace close to uncomfortable, and you’ll choice again the air suspension if you’d like. U.S. pricing hasn’t been introduced but, however for the reason that RS6 Efficiency begins at $125,800, I’d estimate the RS6 GT’s worth to be nearer to $175,000. In case you can afford it and you’re keen on vehicles, driving, and searching cool, purchase an Audi RS6 GT and take it to the monitor a couple of times or each single weekend. You received’t remorse it.
