The 2008 Audi RS6 Avant was a game-changer in the world of fast, understated family cars. With its twin-turbo V10 engine producing 572bhp, it was the king of the monsters, leaving its competitors, such as the BMW M5 Touring and Mercedes E63 AMG, in its dust. The RS6 was a four-wheel drive executive wagon with an automatic gearbox, leather seats, and a reversing camera, making it a luxurious and practical vehicle. However, its fuel consumption was staggering, with a best-case scenario of 20mpg, and its price tag was steep, costing £10,000 more than its rivals.
At the time of its release, the RS6 received a mixed reaction. Some were impressed by its speed and luxury features, while others were skeptical about its value and practicality. The global financial crisis also made its launch timing questionable, as it was a thirsty and expensive car in a time of economic uncertainty.
Fast forward to the present day, the C6-era RS6 is now considered a bargain, with prices starting at around £15,000 for sub-100k mile UK cars. However, its running costs are still prohibitively expensive, with high fuel consumption, pricey tires and brake pads, and high insurance and road tax costs.
Despite its flaws, the V10 RS6 has a certain charm to it. It’s an insane engineering achievement that represents a bygone era of automotive excess. The car’s all-weather, all-occasion thrust is still impressive, and its discreet design makes it a rare gem in today’s world of shouty, widebody performance cars.
The C7-gen car that replaced the RS6 was a more refined and practical vehicle, but it lacked the charm and character of its predecessor. If you’re willing to overlook the running costs, the V10 RS6 is a unique and exhilarating driving experience that will leave you with a big smile on your face. It’s a true VW Group colossus, a relic of a time when cars were built to be over-the-top and unapologetic. As the author concludes, “there will quite simply never be a car like it ever again.”