As the wraps come off the new BMW M5, Audi Sport has taken the opportunity to reignite interest in their high-performance wagon, the RS 6 Avant.
To celebrate this return to the spotlight, Audi whisked the RS 6 Avant GT on a West Coast premiere, showcasing it against the stunning backdrop of Los Angeles and San Francisco.
The newly released photos depict the RS 6 Avant GT in all its glory, finished in Nardo Grey and Arkona White. The car isn’t alone though, accompanied by its historical inspiration, the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO racer.
This classic racer dominated North American racetracks in the late 1980s, and its influence is clear in the design of the new RS 6 Avant GT. Limited to only 660 units, the Audi RS 6 Avant GT boasts impressive performance and extensive customization options that take a full day to install.
This exclusivity translates to a hefty price tag, starting at €219,355 in Germany (€237,555 or £176,975 converted). Power comes from a familiar twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine, tuned to deliver 621 horsepower (463 kW) and 627 lb-ft (850 Nm) of torque a 30 horsepower and 37 lb-ft improvement over the standard RS 6.
An 8-speed Tiptronic transmission sends power to Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system, while a specially tuned rear differential and adjustable coilovers enhance handling. Sitting 0.4 inches lower than the standard car, the RS 6 Avant GT rockets from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 3.3 seconds, two-tenths of a second quicker than the 2025 BMW M5.
With a top speed of 190 mph (305 km/h), the limited-edition GT boasts impressive performance. Interestingly, the standard Audi RS 6 Avant Performance matches the GT’s acceleration and can be visually customized to resemble the limited edition for those seeking similar thrills without the exclusivity and hefty price tag.
In the United States, the 2024 RS 6 Avant Performance starts at $125,800, and it will face competition from the upcoming BMW M5 Touring expected to launch later this year or early next year.
Audi Sport is shaking things up with its high-performance wagon lineup. The beloved RS 6 Avant is nearing the end of its production cycle, and its replacement signals a significant shift.
Enter the RS 7 Avant, adopting the brand’s new naming convention: odd numbers for gasoline-powered vehicles and even for electric.
While details remain under wraps, rumors point to a powerful plug-in hybrid setup potentially featuring a twin-turbo V8 engine paired with electric propulsion.
Borrowing technology from other speed demons within the Volkswagen Group, like the Lamborghini Urus SE, is also a possibility. Regardless of the exact formula, Audi is set to deliver a thrilling and innovative wagon experience.