Audi RS6

Audi RS6
Production period:	since 2002
Class :	upper middle class
Body versions :	Limousine , station wagon
Previous model:	Audi S6 Plus

The Audi RS6 is the most powerful model from Audi AG based on the A6 , which is now in its fourth generation. The vehicle is manufactured by Audi Sport GmbH (until the end of 2016: quattro GmbH) in Neckarsulm , a subsidiary of Audi.

Model series history

The first generation of the Audi RS6 C5 is based on the Audi A6 C5 and came onto the market in summer 2002. The Audi RS6 is available as a four-door notchback sedan and as a station wagon, but the top version of the first generation, the RS6 plus , was only offered as a station wagon (Avant). It is powered by a 4.2-liter V8 petrol engine with 331 kW (450 PS) and later with 353 kW (480 PS) maximum output in the RS6 plus . The last RS6 C5 rolled off the assembly line at the end of 2004 and was only replaced by the second generation just under four years later.

The successor was based on the Audi A6 C6 and was produced with a five-liter V10 engine and 426 kW (580 hp) maximum output from spring 2008 to the end of 2010.

Between 2013 and 2018, the RS6 C7, the base model of which is the Audi A6 C7 , was only offered as a station wagon with a 4.0 l V8 gasoline engine with bi-turbo charging. Instead of the sedan there was the RS7 C7 .

The fourth generation is based on the Audi A6 C8 , was presented in August 2019 and is offered with the same size engine as in the predecessor.

RS6 C5 (2002-2004)

C5 (first generation)
Audi RS6 sedan
Production period:	2002-2004
Body versions :	Limousine , station wagon
Engines:	Petrol engines : 4.2 liters (331–353 kW)
Length:	4852-4858 mm
Width:	1850 mm
Height:	1425-1452 mm
Wheelbase :	2760 mm
Empty weight :	1840-1880 kg

Model history

The first Audi RS6 was formally presented at the Geneva Motor Show 2002 based on the Audi A6 C5 . After the Audi S6 Plus and the RS4, the RS6 is the third vehicle produced by the Audi subsidiary quattro GmbH and the first Audi model with a turbo-charged V8 engine. With a maximum output of 331 kW (450 PS), it was the most powerful engine from quattro GmbH until its successor appeared in 2008. The performance that the RS6 achieves despite its relatively high curb weight of just under two tons is correspondingly high. The sedan version was also sold in the USA.

From April 2004 there was only the Audi RS6 plus , whose production was originally limited to 999 vehicles. Production of the first generation ran out towards the end of 2004. A total of 8081 copies of the Audi RS6 were built by Audi at the Neckarsulm plant. The successor to the first RS6 generation was presented in 2008.

body

The body of the RS6 has been changed in some details compared to the normal production version. Externally, this affects the much wider wheel arches, the modified bumpers, the front and rear grille inserts with honeycomb optics, as well as modified side skirts and aluminum door sills with the RS6 logo. The larger wheels with standard 18-inch wheels (optionally 19-inch) and 255 mm wide tires also distinguish the vehicle from the normal A6. The body has been reinforced in certain areas compared to the normal variant and is therefore more torsion-resistant.

Body styles

The Audi RS6 was offered as a sedan and station wagon (Avant). The RS6 Plus , on the other hand, was only available as an Avant, with the exception of a single red sedan as a special edition.

Rear view
Audi RS6 Avant
engine
Limited edition to 999 units: RS6 plus

Furnishing

The most striking visual differences between the body of the RS6 and the normal Audi A6 C5 are:

wider fenders
wider side skirts
Xenon plus headlights
changed look of the front and rear bumper
oval tailpipes, double-flow
matt polished aluminum exterior mirrors
Standard light alloy wheels in the dimensions 8.5 × 18 inches (optional 19 inches)
Roof rails

inner space

The design of the interior largely corresponds to that of the standard model, only RS6 logos in the instrument cluster and a speedometer display up to 310 km / h and the standard Recaro seats with piped leather upholstery set the RS6 interior apart from the A6. The trunk of the sedan has a capacity of 424 liters. The trunk of the combination variant has a capacity of 455 liters, with the folding rear seat backrest it can be expanded to 1590 liters.

The standard equipment of the RS6 includes:

Climate control
four electric windows
Recaro leather seats with heating
Leather steering wheel with paddle shifters
six airbags
Center armrest front and rear
CD radio with Bose sound system

engine

The eight-cylinder engine in V-type was at Cosworth , built which belonged 1998-2004 to Audi in England. The engine is based on the V8 engine of the Audi S6 C5 with a maximum output of 250 kW (340 hp), which was built from 1999 to 2005. In the RS6, the engine has two turbochargers (biturbo) and two intercoolers . The engine block is made of aluminum and each cylinder has five valves . An additional water cooler is installed behind the charge air coolers of the RS6 plus .

Due to the relatively high displacement of 4172 cm³, combined with the twin-turbo charging, the engine in the RS6 has a maximum output of 331 kW (450 hp) at 5700-6400 / min and develops a maximum torque of 560 Nm , which is constant at 1950-5600 / min are available. Audi originally wanted to deliver the RS6 with a maximum output of 368 kW (500 hp), but the automatic transmission has reached its load limit with 331 kW (450 hp). With this in mind, the performance was not increased any further.

According to the manufacturer, the CO ₂ emissions are 350 g / km. The engine complies with the Euro 3 emissions standard .

transmission

As standard, the vehicle is delivered exclusively with the Tiptronic automatic transmission . With the Tiptronic, in which the five gear steps can be preselected, a certain amount of influence is possible. It also enables you to change gears manually with the paddles on the steering wheel or with the gear selector lever.

The transmission is based on the 5-speed automatic transmission from the Audi A8 D2 W12 and has a dynamically controlled shift program. The switching times have been adjusted for the RS6 and are now shorter. The Tiptronic also recognizes the driving style currently selected by the driver and varies the shift points accordingly. Even in sharp corners, this works better than a conventional torque converter automatic transmission and unwanted gear changes are avoided. A manual transmission was not offered for the RS6.

Power transmission

The Audi RS6 was offered as standard and only with quattro all-wheel drive . In addition, the RS6 has an electronic differential lock with driving dynamics control ex works .

landing gear

This special sports suspension in the RS6 with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) counteracts the pitching and rolling movements of the body completely without the use of electronics. It reduces the “ nodding ” when the front end of the vehicle plunges into the vehicle when braking, as well as the lateral “ rolling ” of the body. The shock absorbers are coupled to each other diagonally thereto; if the car dips into the front right, it no longer goes up automatically at the rear left.

This special damper system changes the characteristic of the shock absorber. The functioning of the system is based on the active use of the oil volume that the plunging piston rod of the shock absorber displaces during compression and the resulting pressure change in the damping system. Ordinary shock absorbers compensate for the volume of the plunging piston rods by means of a compressible gas cushion (single-tube gas pressure damper) or with the help of an additional volume into which the displaced oil can expand (twin-tube damper).

Due to the diagonal connection of the respective front shock absorbers with the rear two coupled systems, the different pressure ratios are used when body movements occur in order to adapt the respective damper characteristics specifically for these driving conditions. This results in a comfortable basic set-up of the chassis, which at the same time counteracts possible pitching and rolling movements of the body in almost all driving situations.

Performance

Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h: 4.7 seconds
Acceleration from 0 to 200 km / h: 17.8 seconds
Top speed: 250 km / h (limited)
Power to weight ratio :
- Sedan: 5.56 kg / kW (4.09 kg / PS)
- Kombi (Avant): 5.68 kg / kW (4.18 kg / PS)

In a test by the automobile magazine sport auto in January 2003, an RS6 sedan provided by the factory achieved exceptional test results:

Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h: 4.4 seconds
Acceleration from 0 to 200 km / h: 15.6 seconds

RS6 plus

The RS6 plus was only available as a station wagon and was originally limited to 999 copies. The station wagon cost 101 without special equipment 050 euros (as of April 6, 2004). The only RS6 plus sedan ever built cost 132 including individual equipment 000 euros and was delivered to Austria.

Furnishing

The additional equipment in contrast to the RS6 includes:

a matt black exterior look for the chrome parts (only the exterior mirrors have an aluminum look, all other chrome parts are black)
a sports exhaust system from quattro GmbH with black anodized tailpipes
22 kW (30 PS) more maximum power (the maximum torque remained at 560 Nm)
standard 19-inch instead of 18-inch wheels
Brakes with perforated brake discs from quattro GmbH
Sports suspension Plus from quattro GmbH (optional at no extra charge)

inner space

The natural leather seats known from the RS6 are standard. For a surcharge, the RS6 plus could be equipped with two-tone leather / Alcantara. These interior combinations could be ordered in three packages:

"Black Cognac" (full leather black or cognac),
"Blue" (leather / Alcantara black / blue) and
"Silver" (leather / Alcantara black / silver).

The vehicle paintwork corresponds to the respective interior color (ebony black, sprint blue, light silver).

In the interior, a badge with the vehicle number produced identifies the RS6 plus, along with carbon trim strips and pedals as well as a footrest in aluminum look . In addition, the navigation system available in the RS6 plus was already equipped with a DVD drive, 16: 9 screen and MMI operating logic, in contrast to the previous RS6 models.

technology

Technically, the RS6 Plus has, in addition to the aforementioned sports exhaust system, brake and suspension, an engine that has been upgraded through software changes and an increased top speed (280 km / h). In addition, the RS6 Plus has two additional water coolers, which are installed directly behind the charge air coolers . This additional water cooler was already available in the normal RS6 in the so-called "hot country version", i.e. the version that was delivered to countries with very high outside temperatures. The additional water cooler increases the amount of cooling water by two liters compared to the normal RS6.

Performance

Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h: 4.6 seconds
Acceleration from 0 to 200 km / h: 17.3 seconds
Top speed: 280 km / h (limited)
Empty weight: 1880 kg (only available as a combination)
Power-to-weight ratio: 5.64 kg / kW (4.15 kg / PS)