By Sala Masindane

In the era of electrical vehicles, it is always exciting for a petrol head to test the last of the dying unicorns and in this instance the Audi RS 6 Avant Performance. Not only is it an Avant but a performance one for that matter. Imagine a leap year and a solar eclipse on the same day—that’s how rare this experience is.
We recently hosted the Bruce Wayne ready Audi RS 6 Avant Performance. You can imagine my excitement when the Audi fleet team delivered the beast to my doorstep. The only other cars that bring me this much excitement are the Porsche 911 Turbo S and the Mercedes-Benz E63 S. So, the RS6 holds a special place in my ultimate car collection.

What’s new?

From the outside, the Batmobile has only a few changes, including a matte gray splitter, diffuser and mirror caps. Our test unit swaps these for a black optic package. Whether on the move or standing still, there’s no denying it’s a head-turner.

Inside?

The RS 6 Avant Performance has also received a nip and tuck in the interior. The cabin features red stitching on the seats, dash, and steering wheel, along with matching ‘RS’ logos on the headrests.
The cabin may not resemble the latest tech of today, but it still exudes luxury. The infotainment works well and is intuitive. Space is generous in the rear and the 565-litre of boot makes it practical.

Performance and drive

The RS6 is powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, producing 463kW and 850 Nm of torque, sent to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Audi claims it will do 0-100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, with a top speed of 305 km/h.

Start up that 4.0-litre V8, and you’re greeted with a brutal soundtrack. The power is always on tap, with minimal turbo lag. The ride and handling are exceptional, thanks to RS sports suspension, ensuring both agility and stability for spirited driving.

Final word

The updates may be minimal, but they don’t take away from the daily usability of this car. That’s what makes the Audi RS6 Avant Performance a formidable offering—one of the last hurrahs for engines like this. If you have the capital, it’s worth owning a piece of performance history. The Audi RS6 Avant Performance is priced from R2,370,300.