Introducing the new Audi RS 6 Avant GT, the performance estate’s final farewell to petrol power before things switch to plug-in and full EV powertrains.

Powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre TFSI V8 engine with an output of 630PS while delivering a maximum of 850Nm of torque, this special edition can achieve 0-62mph in 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 190mph. Bringing it back to 0 is the RS ceramic brake system which comes as standard. An eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox with optimised shift times and quattro all-wheel drive system turns the engine’s power into performance on the road.

The lightbulb moment before bringing the Audi RS 6 Avant GT to life came about in 2020 with the RS 6 GTO concept, a project in which twelve apprentices worked on, picking up skills across the whole spectrum of vehicle manufacturing. The project took six months with the support of Audi Design and was heavily influenced in its design by the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO race car from 1989.

Audi says the front end in particular takes obvious inspiration from the concept. Its singleframe and air intakes are finished in high-gloss black to make the car appear lower and wider.

The newly redesigned front bonnet is made of carbon fibre and features a vent that aids with brake cooling. There’s more carbon fibre on the bespoke wings and diffuser fitted to the rear bumper. Another notable feature is the large motorsport-inspired double rear wing, again borrowed almost exactly from the concept.

It all sits on 22-inch wheels in the six-spoke design made exclusively for the RS 6 Avant GT and black ‘RS 6 GT’ lettering at the rear distinguishes it further.

Customers can choose between three different colours, one being the Arkana White seen here in the pictures. Other options are Nardo Grey or Mythos Black, both darker and more subtle with the wheel switched to black in gloss or matte finish. All combinations are a nod to traditional Audi Sport racing colours.

The black interior, is enhanced with red and copper accents on the steering wheel, the sides of the centre console, the centre armrest and door armrests, and the floor mats with “RS 6 GT” lettering. Sporty RS bucket seats are made from a leather-Dinamica combination with Dinamica material also used across the doors and dashboard. The seat belts catch the eye with their full crimson red colour. All of this will be offered as standard across all GT models rolling off the production line. Each of the limited 660 vehicles will also have its serial number featured on the centre console.

Priced at £176,975, this special edition of the Audi RS 6 is limited to just 660 units - 60 of which will be coming to the UK - with customer deliveries beginning in the second quarter of this year.

words: Mike Booth
pictures: Audi