Audi had recently launched an all-new version of the A6 sedan, their middle tier luxury sedan to lock horns with the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Naturally, the order of performance variants dictates that an S6 and full-fledged RS6 follow suit from Audi Sport. The Ingolstadt automaker has yet to confirm the details of those cars yet, but the breadcrumbs aren’t that hard follow.
Autocar is reporting that C8 based RS6 will boast a powerplant capable of outputs beyond 447kW (600hp), marking an increase of 40kW over the car it will eventually replace. And thanks to the copious amount of weight reduction that has been witnessed with the release of this new A6 model, that seemingly mild boost in power can only strengthen the performance advantage Audi aims to achieve over the older C7 model.
The finished car is due to have its worldwide premiere at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show and launched in select markets shortly after alongside its sister model, the RS7. Because the Volkswagen Group regularly trades engines, transmissions and other technologies, predicting this all-new RS6’s specifications aren’t too difficult.
It is expected to share many components under the bonnet with the Porsche Panamera Turbo and Lamborghini Urus, namely a 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8. Whether or not Audi chooses to supplement this with an electric compressor or a hybrid electric component to further boost power and engine response is unknown at this point, but is likely to have as much as 450kW transmitted to the road via an 8-speed automatic transmission and their marquee AWD system, quattro.
This would put it on par with similar high performance cars derived from executive luxury models like the BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG E63, both of which use a twin-turbo V8 to output 447-ish kilowatts. Like its predecessor, it’s also likely that the new RS6 will only be offered in Avant (wagon) guise.
Due to its reduced weight, extra power and improved all-wheel drive system, the new model is slated to have a 0-100km/h sprint time of 3.6 seconds. Top speed, meanwhile, is expected to rise to 310km/h. Again, these numbers are about level with its rivals BMW and AMG.
As for the less potent Audi S6, its market introduction will precede the RS6’s, and will for the most part feature many more shared attributes with the standard A6. However, its bonnet will be occupied by the same 2.9-litre bi-turbo V6 that powers the RS4 and RS5 with around 335kW.
For more on Audi cars, check out our Showroom.
