Fast Estate The Audi Way – RS6 On Test

Looking for a family friendly estate, that doubles up as a mighty fine driver’s car? Well Audi has had the answer for so very many years and when the opportunity presented itself to try its latest RS6 Avant, I jumped at the chance.

Looking suitably resplendent in Nardo Grey, the RS6 attracted much attention on my travels across the North of England. You see it’s a rare car, something no doubt due to the list price. Before I consulted the press pack, I had wrongly assumed that some change would be forthcoming from £100,000. How wrong was I! With a few choice extras, the exact sum of £140,000 would be required to put a similar car on my driveway. Delivery and half a tank of fuel are included.

PCP deals are suitably eyewatering too. Find a hefty £23,074, and Audi’s finance arm will let you have an RS6 for £1,232.28 per month over a four-year period. Then there’s the option to make final £56,746.35 payment and own the car. Tempting, or then again maybe not.

Leaving aside the cost of ownership, I must say that I enjoyed every mile I covered, each one accompanied by a lovely V8 soundtrack. At town speeds, with the suspension in comfort mode, the Audi glided swiftly between traffic lights, sunroof open, quality sound system playing some relaxing tunes.

However, once free from the urban sprawl, the RS6 truly showed its mettle. Comfort mode swapped for Dynamic, gearbox put into sports mode and let the 630PS V8 engine do its best work. All too quickly the UK legal speed limit is reached, and then easily exceeded. Optional ceramic brakes do a fine job of shedding the excess speed, though ticking that box will cost a smidgen over £9,000. Probably worth it.

Finding some twisty roads, the Audi ably demonstrated its considerable handling prowess, and the precise steering ensured it could be placed accurately on some of the narrower lanes which populate my usual test routes.

All the usual expected estate car attributes are present and correct. A large 565 litre boot should prove ample for even the biggest families and the passenger compartment provides comfortable seating for four or five large adults. Twin glass sunroofs bathe the cabin in natural light and the equipment count is high.

With this being an older design, there is most welcome absence of bongs, warning you of some impending minor transgression and the only lane departure system is the steering wheel in your hands. Man and machine in perfect harmony, or some such cliché.

Should fuel economy be of interest, academic I would guess for would-be owners, Audi quotes 22mpg for the combined cycle. On a very slow run from Audi HQ to me, the delivery driver recorded 28mpg. My own figures suggest that 22mpg is about right with the proviso that you are gentle with the accelerator. One late evening drive home from a local car show, I recorded 12.6mpg over 25 miles. I can still hear the sound of that V8 at full chat, and the pops and bangs on the overrun.

The RS6 is due to be collected from me this afternoon. Any news of an impending train strike that might delay the collection driver? Thought not, as another weekend with the RS6 would be an absolute delight, even though it is in desperate need of a full tank of expensive Super unleaded.

Cars like this will soon disappear from sale altogether and whilst the new breed or electric cars are just as quick, they lack the aural excitement to stir the soul. I for one will miss them.

Fast Facts
Audi RS6 Avant
List price £126,970
As tested £140,000
Nardo Grey paint
Black Valcona leather seats
630PS V8 engine
850Nm torque
8-speed Tiptronic gearbox
Top speed 174mph (limited)
Combined economy 22.4mpg
Emissions 286g/km CO2