With manufacturing of the R8 ending earlier this 12 months, the RS6 Avant and its mechanical sibling, the RS7, have grow to be Audi’s de facto halo automobiles—at the very least for now. Launched in 2020, this twin-turbo V8-powered station wagon isn’t fairly but due for a correct refresh. Nonetheless, that hasn’t stopped the German automaker from updating its long-roofed halo by introducing the 2024 Audi RS6 Avant Efficiency.
To be clear, the Efficiency isn’t a separate trim stage or an non-obligatory bundle. Each new RS6 Avant is a Efficiency mannequin, a barely complicated moniker contemplating Audi beforehand tacked “Competitors” onto its RS5, borrowing a web page from BMW’s playbook. Regardless, what issues are the updates the newest RS6 receives, which embrace a 30-horsepower bump as much as 621 hp, an non-obligatory set of light-weight wheels that lower unsprung mass by 11 kilos per nook, and decreased sound deadening so you possibly can really hear its burbly V8.
As you’d count on from a gentle replace, the Efficiency’s new extras don’t rework the driving expertise. Nonetheless, provided that the RS6 Avant already laid such a powerful basis, you’ll quickly study that as a substitute, they take one thing nice and make it even higher.
For the 2024 mannequin 12 months, the Audi RS6 Avant Efficiency provides normal matte grey completed trim to its entrance spoiler, rear diffuser, facet blades, and mirror caps. Nonetheless, my tester swaps it out for gloss black items courtesy of its $3,750 black optic bundle. This non-obligatory further coats its 22-inch light-weight cast wheels in a two-tone end whereas wrapping them in Continental SportContact 7 rubber. Mixed with the brand new 30-hp output improve, these Y-spoke wheels, which cut back unsprung weight by 44 lb, permit the Efficiency to chop its predecessor’s 0-60 time by two tenths, finishing the run in 3.3 seconds.
Though my tester is primed to fly underneath the radar with its Daytona Grey paint and equally refined black leather-based inside, the RS6 is now out there in two vibrant Grenadier Purple and Ascari Blue hues. Two shades that match completely with its non-obligatory RS design bundle, which provides blue, pink, or grey distinction stitching to the cabin. Nonetheless, they’re solely out there with a black leather-based base. The bundle covers its flat-bottomed steering wheel in Alcantara, whereas its gear selector and door playing cards get a Dinamica microfiber therapy.
Not like the RS5 Competitors, which acquired new coil-over suspension alongside its light-weight wheels and decreased sound deadening, thus considerably sharpening its dealing with, the RS6 Efficiency’s enhancements are far subtler. Though the RS5 arguably wanted the assistance to grow to be the very best model of itself, the wagon’s updates aren’t as transformative. That is primarily because of the outgoing RS6 already being a wonderful efficiency automobile to begin with.
A two-tenths faster 0-60 time might result in enhanced on-paper stats, however provided that we’re speaking in regards to the automobile that completes the run in round three seconds, that enchancment is hardly felt behind the wheel. In different phrases, it’s fast, however so was its predecessor. What’s noticeable, nevertheless, is the up to date tuning to its eight-speed computerized transmission, which rips shifts even faster than earlier than, making full use of the out there energy and the abundance of traction courtesy of its Quattro all-wheel-drive system.
Whereas its 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 generates extra energy because of a set of upsized turbos, now as much as 621 hp and 627 lb-ft, it does so identical to its predecessor. That’s to say, you get a cut up second of turbo lag, adopted by an enormous wave of torque down within the rev vary, which then builds to redline. The important thing to the Audi RS6 Avant Efficiency feeling supercar fast, nevertheless, is the abundance of midrange energy, which means that when you’re midway up the rev vary, the response you get from its V8 is swift. It’s not naturally-aspirated V8 swift however about as fast as a closely turbocharged powerplant may be.
Dive right into a nook, and the RS6’s entrance finish feels barely lighter on its ft, thanks primarily to its decreased unsprung mass. Whereas there’s no hiding this automobile’s practically 5,000 curb weight, the Efficiency provides a brand new stage of agility to a automobile that beforehand generated glorious grip ranges however wasn’t overly keen to vary route. Its steering, nevertheless, stays frustratingly muted, delivering little suggestions. Whereas a lighter and smaller central locking differential goals to dial out understeer, you’ll nonetheless get a smidge of push from the entrance finish as you choose up the tempo.
Alongside its decreased sound deadening, my tester pairs a $1,000 RS sport exhaust system. That is an non-obligatory further that ought to be necessary as a result of whereas the Efficiency permits extra pure sound to permeate via the cabin, though it nonetheless pipes in loads via its audio system, it nonetheless doesn’t provide a genuinely sonorous expertise with booming bassy V8 notes. That is due primarily to the large quantity of sound deadening current within the first place, proof that making something sporty out of a luxurious automobile remains to be fairly a problem.
That stated, it’s price remembering the RS6’s twin position of not simply being a backroad thriller however a correctly sensible day by day as effectively. To this finish, it’s comprehensible why Audi didn’t flip up the amount and, crucially, why it left its suspension untouched. The carmaker may’ve firmed it up additional to create a extra athletic machine. Whereas which means the RS6 isn’t comparatively as fast or hardcore because it may very well be, it permits it to retain glorious consolation ranges, even with its giant wheels, when you dial down its adaptive shocks. The result’s an ultra-powerful wagon that’s equally at residence sitting at triple-digit speeds on the left lane or chasing supercars up a winding mountain street.
For 2024, The Audi RS6 Avant Efficiency begins at $128,195, together with a $1,095 vacation spot price and a $1,300 gasoline guzzler tax. Choices such because the $3,750 black optic bundle, $3,000 RS design bundle plus, and $2,750 government bundle deliver my tester’s value as much as $144,040. That’s about what an equally optioned RS Q8 prices, the closest comparable car, provided that the brand new Mercedes AMG E63 and the BMW M5 have but to be unveiled. Throw in Porsche’s axing of the Panamera Sport Turismo, and the RS6 is in a category of its personal.
Whereas the Efficiency therapy might not rework the RS6’s driving expertise, it doesn’t must. On condition that Audi’s halo wagon began from a place of power, it’s solely been improved. Due to its further energy output, sharpened transmission tuning and decreased unsprung weight, it’s an excellent sharper device for tackling your favourite street. Crucially, nevertheless, these updates don’t detract from this automobile’s day by day usability, which is central to its attraction. In brief, the Efficiency takes an excellent automobile and makes it even higher.
