2024 Audi RS6 Avant Review, Pricing, and Specs

The wagon is a tough sell across the U.S. This isn’t because people would like to drive an automobile (although there is a need). Also, it’s not that the idea of a large roof causes PTSD from the years of abuse by siblings in the third row facing the rear in Dad’s Country Squire (although it is possible). The issue is that the market just doesn’t make sense. Take the Audi RS6 Avant. It as well as the A6 Allroad is scheduled to launch in 2021. And the 1/3 more expensive RS6 surpasses the A6.

2024 Audi RS6 Avant Review
2024 Audi RS6 Avant Review

2024 Audi RS6 Avant Performance Specs

They’re a tough bunch that are wagon owners. While the RS6 is incredibly robust and dynamically efficient, however, it was too quiet, too polished, and too soft. They were looking for a sharper machine. In the year 2024, which was the calendar year Audi was listening to the feedback of customers and released a new model, which is called RS6 Avant Performance.

The latest RS6 Performance loses some sound insulation and boosts thirty horsepower as well as 37 pounds of torque. The boost to the dual-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 engine, which now produces 621 horsepower and 627 pounds-feet is the result of an increased turbocharger impeller as well as the new engine mapping. The peak boost can be increased to 23.2 psi up from 20.3. The boost is accompanied by no additional delays.

2024 Audi RS6 Avant Interior
2024 Audi RS6 Avant Interior

The hot-V engine immediately responds to throttle inputs, whereas the ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic has quick downshifts that are said to be faster. Audi engineers also tweaked the Torsen center differential with a limited-slip to reduce understeer. The loss of noise insulation in the firewall reduces isolation and makes the engine more volume inside. If this isn’t enough, you can get an RS Sport exhaust, which can be more raucous. The extra power is likely to bring the speed down to a 3.0-second threshold. That won’t make it as fast as that of the BMW M5 as quickest in the category however, the RS6 will not be the fastest. We’re talking about a tenth one second here, or maybe two, and bragging rights are essential.

Do not get caught by the numbers of this car but how it feels more important. The brand new 22-inch Y-spoke wheels as well as Continental Sport Contact 7 tires reduced 11 pounds in comparison to the regular 21-inchers. If you’re looking to decrease the weight of your unsprung choose carbon-ceramic brakes which cuts nearly 17 pounds off every corner. It’s a tense brake pedal. Or at the very least, they’re a learning curve that we never fully mastered during our brief journey through Napa Valley, but based upon our experiences with ceramic rotors used in various VW Group cars, we believe we’ll be able to adjust eventually.

Without or with the brakes, the lowered unsprung mass of the steering transforms it from being a bit sluggish to one that has real feedback. The wagon, which weighs around 4900 pounds, has its V-8 positioned completely in front of the front axle line, and its understeer is effectively confined to the canyon blast. It’s that until you’re way too quickly for the curve. The Continentals have plenty of grip. And when stability control kicks in with a gentle push that won’t disrupt the flow or cause your passengers to think that you’re not able to drive.

Although the RS6 first came out in the U.S. solely with air springs, the more sporty Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) suspension was added to the choice sheet a year later in 2022. It can resist roll and pitch using hydraulics, however, when a wheel is moved like in a pothole hydraulics do not increase the resistance to compression. Only when the wheels on the axle (such as for acceleration or brakes) or on the opposite side (during the cornering) move in tandem, are the hydraulics able to keep the body at a steady level. If you’re considering racing the RS6, DRC is worth the extra cost, but the steel coils that are stiffly springing aren’t as comfortable as the ease of normal air springs.

Visually, the RS6 Avant Performance isn’t that unlike its predecessor. The bumpers have been tweaked and the trim pieces come in a matte gray. What you’ll notice is the options for visuals of four different wheel finishes and various mirror caps as well as three interior stitching colours and three brake-caliper color options provide a wide range of options. The Bronze Edition, limited to only 75 examples, blends bronze-colored wheels and pearl black paint to create a striking curb appearance.

2024 Audi RS6 Avant Specs
2024 Audi RS6 Avant Specs

2024 Audi RS6 Avant Price & For Sale

It’s worth noting it is that the mechanically similar RS7 Sportback Performance is also available, however for reasons that aren’t clear, it costs $2,000 more. At $126,895 for the RS6, Audi will surely sell as many units as it wants to sell. But what would you rate a sporty, moderately priced vehicle for the middle class? Perhaps that’s not appropriate for this market.