The 2020 Audi RS 6 Avant Is Coming to the U.S. With 591 Horsepower

Audi AG

It’s finally happening: the Audi RS 6 Avant will be available for U.S. customers. This will be the first time the high-performance wagon reaches our shores, and it’s making one hell of an entrance. The RS designation stands for RennSport, which translates to “racing sport.” Audi slaps the badge on models above its standard and S trim lines. “Avant” is Audi’s term for station wagon and the RS 6 is a ludicrous spin on the traditional people-and-cargo hauler.

The RS6 Avant’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine produces 591 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. It is mated to an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission. Power is sent to all four wheels thanks to Audi’s quattro permanent all-wheel drive. The Audi RS 6 Avant does a 0-62 mph run in 3.6 seconds and can hit 155 mph. The Dynamic Plus package raises top speed to 190 mph.

The above numbers (and images) reflect the European-spec RS 6 Avant. The U.S. power and performance specs will be released closer to the car’s introduction here.

RS 6 party tricks

“Avant” is Audi’s term for station wagons and the RS 6 is a ludicrous spin on the traditional people-and-cargo hauler

Torque control can apply the brakes for each individual wheel, improving handling and traction. The quattro sport differential splits torque between the two rear wheels, and can route nearly all the power to just one of them.

The RS 6 Avant uses its own adaptive air suspension. You can select different modes for comfort or performance, or just leave it to make the decisions on its own. The available Dynamic Ride Control links diagonally opposed shock absorbers with hydraulic lines. A central valve controls the oil flow to the front wheel on the outside of the curve, which Audi says will reduce pitch and roll movement.

Audi’s select drive system offers six modes: comfort, auto, dynamic, efficiency, and RS1 and RS2 modes. The latter two can be further configured themselves, and are activated via an “RS MODE” steering wheel button. The modes affect the engine and transmission management, power steering, suspension, all-wheel steering, differential, and engine sound.

RS bespoke

Audi AG

The Audi RS 6 Avant stands out in the crowd with its own RS-grade parts and design. The body is 1.6 inches wider with flared wheel arches. The gloss black honeycomb grille is unique to this model, as are the RS-specific bumpers. A flat spoiler extends the Avant roofline and the dual oval-shaped tailpipes are finished in chrome.

RS accents can be found on the interior, including the steering wheel and seats. The RS touch response displays show tire pressure, torque, power output, engine oil temperature, boost pressure, lap times, acceleration measurements, and g forces.

The Audi RS 6 Avant will touch down on American shores in 2020.

Our first RS

It may not be widely known, but the RS 6 had a brief stay in the U.S. before. The 2003 RS 6 sedan was offered for just that year and came in that one body style. Its twin-turbo 4.2-liter V-8 produced 450 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The only available transmission was a five-speed Tiptronic automatic. This was the first Audi RS model offered for the USDM.

We also briefly had the RS 4, which was eventually taken off the table. If you want an RS model today, your choices are down to the TT RS, RS 5, or RS 3. The new RS 7 is on the way. America: If you have the means, please give these cars some consideration. They can open the doors to more high-performance models from Audi and other manufacturers.

To go with the RS 6 Avant announcement, Audi uploaded an emotionally-charged video showing the history of the Avant:

NewYorKars

Hallelujah: The 2020 Audi RS 6 Avant is coming to America with 591 horses in tow