AUDI RS6

The 'Audi RS6' is the highest-performance version of the Audi A6, a mid-size luxury car / executive car produced by German automaker Audi. Production of the first-generation RS6 began in late 2003 and ended in early 2004. The second-generation will be shown at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. Its main rivals are the Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG and BMW M5.
The C5 RS6 (2004) was the second model to come out of Audi's quattro GmbH; first was B5 RS4 (2001); and the current is the B7 RS4 (2006). It was the first RS model to reach the United States and Canada.
The "RS" stands for RennSport, and is positioned above the "S" ("Sport") line of Audi's regular line-up.

Contents

First generation (2002-2004)

Engine

Transmission

Suspension (U.S. model)

Brakes (U.S. model)

Tires and wheels

Performance

RS6 Plus

Second generation (2008)

The RS6 in racing

Awards

External links

First generation (2002-2004)

The first RS6 was the top-of-the-line of C5 (2nd generation, 1997-2004) A6 and was available as both a sedan and a wagon (called Avant by Audi). Derived from the C5 S6, the RS6 also shares aluminium structure from the firewall and forward with the C5 V8 A6s (A6 4.2 V8 quattro, S6 sedan/Avant).

Engine

The RS6 featured a twin-turbocharged version of the corporate 4.2 Litre V8 engine (code BCY) tuned by Cosworth Technologies (now known as Mahle Powertrain), which had originally been developed for the 1994 A8. With the aid of the turbochargers, output rose to 450/331 bhp/kW and 415 lb-ft (560 Nm) of torque. The combination of the 4.2 litre V8 and twin turbochargers gave the RS6 an exceptionally wide power band, with peak torque available from 1950 to 5600 rpm.

Transmission

The RS6 was available only with Audi's Quattro four-wheel drive, a modified unit that was being used in the 6.0 litre W12-powered D1 A8.
It is an electronically-controlled five-speed Tiptronic transmission with lock-up torque converter. It has "hill detection" capability, and is programmed to blip the throttle for gear change. There are over 200 shift programs to suit the driving style.
The front differential is open, with electronic differential lock ("EDL"); the center is a Torsen unit; and the rear is open with EDL. The power from the engine is first routed to the Torsen center unit, and then divided to front and rear.

Suspension (U.S. model)

The RS6 also served as the debut model for Audi's Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) system. The system is mainly mechanical, and uses a pump to keep pressure in the shock absorbers during cornering to counteract rolling and pitching. The system can adjust the stiffness at each shock absorber constantly to maintain both a comfortable ride and high grip. However, DRC's main advantage is that it operates without the need for most of the complicated electronics required in similar systems from Mercedes-Benz and other competitors.

Brakes (U.S. model)

The front features Brembo eight-piston fixed caliper (four pads per side) working with cross-drilled, floating vented disc sized 14.37" (1.3" thickness). The rear had single floating caliper (two per side) with parking brake mechanism, mated to cross-drilled, floating vented disc sized 13.19" (0.9" thickness).
Both front and rear floating discs are held in by metal pins to the hub, and allow 1 mm of thermal expansion from the hub center.
ABS and EBD was standard.

Tires and wheels

There were total of three OEM wheels types produced for the RS6, and one for RS6 Plus. In Europe and elsewhere, 19" wheels and tyre package was standard with optional 18" package for those who wish it. However, only 18" package was offered in the U.S. market. 18" winter package was universally available. RS6 Plus saw the addition of "anthracite" (dark gray) 19" package as standard.
For 18" wheels, the standard tyre fitted was 255/40-18 with extra load (XL) rating. This is often stressed and the only recommendation by Audi as RS6 does weigh a hefty (approx.) 4100 lb. Tires that are not rated XL may not be safe for use. Owners reported finding Continental ContiSportContact 2, Dunlop SP Sport 9000, Michelin Pilot Sport PS2, and Pirelli P-Zero Rosso as OEM suppliers for the tires.
For 19" wheels, the standard tyre fitted was 255/30-19 with extra load (XL) rating. However, there were debates as to how safe are 19" tires as XL rating will only get to 96 (1565 lb load rating). (In contrast, the 255/40-18 XL will get you 99, good for 1709 lb per tire.) Also, 19" wheel & tire package may rub against the strut if not properly fitted. At least from one U.S. owner reports Michelin Pilot Sport PS2, part number 14875, will fit as the tire does not come with rim protector "lip" on the inner side of the tire.

Performance

According to testing by ''Car and Driver'' magazine, the RS6 can accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.7 s and 4.9 s (sedan and wagon), 0-124 mph in 17.6 s and 17.8 s, and has an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h), although many people reported to have gone well over this limit. It can stop from 60 mph (96.6 to 0 km/h) in 118 ft (35.97 m), thanks to its large 365/335 mm (14.4/13.2 in) front/rear brakes, and an uncommon eight-piston design in the front.
In addition, ''Automobile Magazine'' ran the RS6 from 0-60 mph in 4.3 s, and 0-100 mph in 10.4 s, and 0-150 mph in 26.8 s. Road and Track recorded a quarter-mile run of 12.63 s at 109mph. Motor Trend achieved 60-0 mph braking in 113 ft, rounded the skidpad at 0.90 g, and ran the slalom at 68.7 mph. These are the best figures, respectively, recorded on the RS6.
About 8000 RS6s were produced worldwide. Originally Audi of America planned to sell approximately 860 units in United States, total of approximately 1200 were sold at the end. In 2003, it was priced at US$82,000 for the U.S. market (Car and Driver estimate).

RS6 Plus

Towards the end of production in 2004, there was a run of higher-performance RS6 named RS6 Plus, producing over 480 bhp/353 kW @ 6000-6400 rpm and 413 lb·ft/560 Nm @ 1950-6000 rpm (engine code BRV) - topping out 280 km/h(174 mph). This performance was achieved with a new ECU and two additional radiators behind the intercoolers (which were available to RS6 in hotter climate countries). A mere 4.6 seconds elapse for the standard discipline of sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h. The Quattro RS6 Plus hits 200 km/h in just 17.3 seconds. The RS6 Plus came with DRC as standard, also a Sports Suspension Plus (lowering the standard sports suspension by 10mm) was available with no extra cost. The wheels were uprated from 255/40 R18 to 255/35 R19 size. The car came only as an Avant and was sold only in European markets. It lasted for just one model year but quickly sold out once it was released (999 units total). The last three digits of the VIN are reproduced on a plaque inside the car, displayed on the centre console.

Second generation (2008)

Audi is currently in the process of creating a new twin-turbo V10 engine derived from the current S6 5.2-litre V10. From leaked chassis codes of the new RS6, speculations have arisen to claim that the advertised output for the new RS6 will be somewhere around 571 hp. However, several other automotive news sources are claiming that some insiders from Audi are saying that the 571 hp figure is actually underrated, and that the true maximum output is closer to 600 hp or even higher, more power than the Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06, Aston Martin DBS V12, Ferrari F430 Scuderia, Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, Porsche 997 GT2 and Mercedes-Benz CL 65 AMG. This much power in a factory-production sedan is simply unprecedented in history and has stirred much excitement and discussion among automotive enthusiasts.
Audi released official specs of the 2025kg RS6 in an Avant version on 4 September 2007. Due to be launched in April 2008, the car is powered by a twin-turbocharged 5.2-litre V10 with FSI, weighing 278 kg. The engine produces 426 kW (~580 bhp) of power at 6,250 r/min and 650Nm (~480lb ft) torque is available from 1,500 to 6,250 r/min. Reported performance figures: 4.6-second 0-100 km/h, 14.9 seconds 0-200 km/h and top speed is electronically governed to 250 km/h. The current setup employs 2 low presuure turbos on either side of the 'V'. Speculation is that Audi may produce an "RS6 Plus" in late 2008 upping the power to at least 475kW (~636bhp) using remapped ECU's, larger intercooler's and increased turbo boost.

The RS6 in racing

The RS6 was used in the Speed World Challenge Touring Car Series for two years, claiming victory in one of those years, but was defeated by the GM V8 CTS Team the other year.

Awards

The 4.2 V8 engine in its base configuration was named as one of the ''Ward’s Auto World'' "10 Best Engines for 2005".
The RS6's combination of performance, handling (AWD), luxury and available space was why it was chosen over its closest competitors, Jaguar S-Type R, and Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG by ''Car and Driver'' magazine.

External links

★ Audiworld RS6 Forum Hosted by AudiWorld.com

★ RS6.com International Community Hosted by RS6.com

★ Audifans Hosted by audifans.com

★ The Torque Report - 2008 Audi RS6 Avant Press Release + photos