The Audi A6 C5 RS6 Avant Quattro was a high-performance variant of the Audi A6 family sedan and wagon. It was produced from 2002 to 2004, and was designed to compete with the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG.
Engine
The RS6 Avant Quattro was powered by a 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that produced 420 horsepower (313 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 400 lb-ft (542 Nm) of torque at 3,500 rpm. The engine featured two turbochargers with intercoolers, and a close-coupled exhaust system.
Transmission
The RS6 Avant Quattro was available with either a 5-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission. The automatic transmission featured a "shift-it-yourself" mode that allowed drivers to manually override the transmission's shifting decisions.
Drive System
The RS6 Avant Quattro featured Audi's all-wheel-drive system, which sent power to all four wheels through a viscous coupling and a center differential. The system could send up to 70% of torque to the front wheels or rear wheels, depending on driving conditions.
Suspension and Brakes
The RS6 Avant Quattro had a lowered suspension with specially tuned shock absorbers, springs, and stabilizer bars. The brakes were upgraded with larger rotors and high-performance pads.
Exterior and Interior
The exterior of the RS6 Avant Quattro featured distinctive styling cues, including a revised front bumper, side skirts, and a rear diffuser with exhaust tips. The interior was equipped with leather-trimmed seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a B&O sound system.
Performance
The RS6 Avant Quattro had an estimated 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) time of just 5.7 seconds, and a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h). The car's electronic stability program was calibrated to allow for more aggressive driving, but it still maintained the safety features of a production Audi.
Production and Sales
The RS6 Avant Quattro was produced from March 2002 to July 2004, with a total production run of around 9,000 units. The car was sold primarily in Europe, North America, and Japan.
