The Sport Wagon Enthusiast

2013 Audi RS6 Avant Spied

With the unveiling of Audi’s newest A6 and S6 Avants (internally code named “C7”), wagon enthusiasts the world over have been excitedly awaiting the RS6 Avant.

For those who don’t know, the RS6 is one of the most storied battlewagons of all time. The RS6—or Rennsport, literally translated as “racing sport”—first debuted in 2002 (code named C5) with a twin-turbo V8 producing 444 bhp (thanks to engine tuning from Cosworth). To compete with Mercedes’ E63 AMG wagon and BMW’s V10-powered M5 Touring, Audi designed the next iteration of the RS6 to be the world’s fastest production wagon (at the time in 2008). Featuring a twin-turbo 5.0L V10, the C6 RS6 Avant was Audi’s most powerful production car and was manufactured between April 2008 and August of 2010.

The forthcoming C7 RS6 Avant thus has an epic legacy to uphold. The bloggers at Carscoop recently spied (or “scooped” as they say) a prototype of Audi’s newest battlewagon in Sweden. Featuring flared wheel arches, a modified front bumper (with larger air inlets for bigger turbos), and massive disk brakes, this prototype features the typical RS enhancements. Most likely, this car is undergoing cold weather testing during Sweden’s grueling winter.

The next RS6 engine is still a mystery—but if we had to bet, a highly massaged version of the new S6s’ 4.0L twin-turbo V8 is likely. Featuring larger turbochargers, improved intercoolers, and high performance engine internals, the 2013 RS6 Avant will feature at least 600 horsepower. This power will be put to the pavement via Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system and a 7-speed DSG twin-clutch transmission. The sprint to sixty should take just over 4 seconds, with a limited top speed of 155 (but a de-governed terminal velocity of over 200 mph). Like the S6, the RS6 will feature direct injection, cylinder deactivation, and start-stop technology for maximum efficiency.