In case you didn’t know, Audi decided to bring back the most vicious version of its A6 wagon a few seasons ago: the RS6 Avant. In North America, the RS badge is still limited in some ways. And yet, with its most expensive wagon ever, Audi has hit a home run. Despite the financial obstacle, the four-ringed German automaker can’t sell them quickly enough.
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- Approximately $235,000 US price tag
- Only 660 units globally, second quarter 2024 deliveries
- Carbon hood and fenders, 22-inch wheels, and Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO heritage decals
- Same twin-turbocharged V8 as the regular model but with more power and torque
Meanwhile, the super wagon is aging; the car has been in North America since 2020. And since the electric era is knocking on every manufacturer’s front door, including Audi, the RS division decided it was time for an exceptional version of this already unique long-roof car.
Super wagons have always been a niche passion project, the kind of cars built because engineers wanted them, not because business cases demanded them.
The latest addition to the lineup is called the RS6 Avant GT, a car described by the strategists in Ingolstadt as “the pinnacle of the model series.” It seems like the RS6 Performance introduced a year ago wasn’t enough.
A Farewell Tribute to Audi’s Super Wagon Era
The platform doesn’t change, but visual cues make the Avant GT stand out from its more common counterparts. In front, for example, most of the grille has been blacked out, an easy solution to make the car look wider, while this red-coloured front splitter indicates the lowest point in front. The carbon-fiber hood is also decorated with exposed accents, while the front fenders are also made of the exotic material. The vents in those also help the car reduce the air pressure in the wheel arch and improve brake cooling.
If this really is the final chapter of Audi’s fire-breathing long-roof lineage, at least it goes out at full volume.
Speaking of the air around the sleek bodywork, the rear spoiler has also been replaced with a double unit suitable for such a special car. The rear diffuser is fully functional, and so are the two oval tailpipes. And the “piece de resistance” is bolted to each axle. Those 22-inch six-spoke wheels are simply perfect for the car. Well, maybe the real showstopper here is this graphic-heavy bodywork inspired by some of the race cars used in motorsport by Audi throughout the years. In the official pictures, we can see the 1989 Audi 90 Quattro IMSA GTO race car.
Why the RS6 Avant GT Feels Like the End of Something
- Engine: twin-turbo V8 4.0L
- Power: 621 horsepower
- Torque: 627 ft-lb
- Transmission: eight-speed automatic
- 0-62 mph: 3.3 seconds
- Top speed: 190 mph
Under the hood, the car keeps its twin-turbo V8 4.0L engine, but it’s now developing 621 hp (up from the 591 hp of the “regular” version) and 627 ft-lb of torque (up 37 from the base model). The eight-speed automatic transmission, the Quattro all-wheel-drive system, and the centre differential are all taken from the RS6 Avant Performance trim. Still, the rear differential has been tuned for this unique model.
Even the suspension has been changed on this car, which lowers it 0.4 inches and makes it fully adjustable. But rest assured, there’s more, as the stabilizers are stiffer, the tires stickier, and the brakes better. Well, in this case, Audi installed the ceramic brakes at no charge. To put this in perspective, the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) takes only 3.3 seconds, and the top speed is limited to 190 mph (305 km/h).
There is only one problem with this new model from Audi: its availability. Indeed, the German brand only plans on building 660 units of the Avant GT. In Canada, only seven cars will cross the border. In the US, 85 of those super RS6s will be made available for customers with deep pockets.
All this rarity means that the price will be up there. Audi officials say the base price for the Avant GT in Germany should be around $235,000 (US dollars). Initial deliveries began in late 2024, with the remaining limited-run Avant GT units reaching North American customers in early 2025.
Takeaway
And that’s really the bigger story here. The RS6 Avant GT isn’t just a limited-run special. It’s a swan song for a breed that’s rapidly disappearing. Super wagons have always been a niche passion project, the kind of cars built because engineers wanted them, not because business cases demanded them. In an era sprinting toward electrification, crossovers, and quieter performance badges, a 621-hp twin-turbo V8 wagon feels like the last gasp of something wonderfully unhinged. If this really is the final chapter of Audi’s fire-breathing long-roof lineage, at least it goes out at full volume.
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