Speed, good looks and loads of room need not be a completely foreign idea inside a stylish station wagon package. In fact, there are a number of car manufacturers that gel together the mix of pace, grace and size quite nicely. However, none can quite match it with the formidable new Audi RS6 Avant. Audi have, for a long time, had a quick Avant (estate) version in their model line-up. All modern Avant vehicles are able to carry large loads very swiftly over land, usually in excess of 200 km/h – with ease.

The latest RS6 Avant is no exception, and has to rate as the quickest version to date. Packed with an incredible 426 kW of power and 650 Nm of superlative torque, this machine eats the miles up very rapidly. Under the hood lies a potent V10 twin-turbo 5.0 litre engine and is a real blast to put through its paces. The car smashes the 0-100 km/h sprint in just 4.6 seconds! Put it this way, the new Ferrari F430 Spider can carry a couple of tins of baked beans in the luggage compartment (slight exaggeration) and can make the 0-100 km/h sprint just half a second quicker than the rapid RS6 Avant. Which would I prefer? Silly question really, the practicality and premium comfort of the Audi RS6 Avant would win hands down in my book. Let the egos of the Ferrari F430 drivers be brought down to size with the favourable virtues of the elegantly designed, and very quick, RS6 Avant.

Build quality is exquisite – just as one would expect from the highly successful German marque. The body rigidity is very high, and this adds to the tenacious grip and overall balance that the very safe RS6 Avant brings to the driving experience. The sports tuned suspension is fantastic, and the RS6 Avant is an AWD wagon that is simply outstanding when thrown very hard through the corners. Even with the huge luggage capacity at the back the big Audi wagon holds the line through the apex impeccably well. You feel in utter control with the way the car holds on in the twisty stuff, and when the power is applied through one of the best AWD systems around you are pressed firmly back into the beautiful Silk Nappa Leather seats that have RS branding. This is a driving experience that is awfully hard to beat – anywhere.

Luxuriously equipped, you will enjoy the goodies that Audi brings to the driver and occupants. To start with the ‘Advanced Key’ access and drive authorisation system is the first feature to let you into the roomy and very suave cabin, and, once inside, you can access a world of high tech gadgetry. Cruise control helps the driver to control the ease with which the estate gathers phenomenal speed, and I must suggest that this feature be used as the car travels effortlessly at a controlled top speed of 250 km/h. The BOSE 5-channel surround sound stereo has impeccable sound quality that can be unleashed with a force that comes near the thrust of the big V10 engine. The 13 speakers produce 330 watt sound, while the 6-disc changer can be found located in the glove box. Relax in a balanced environment as the deluxe automatic dual climate air-conditioning takes care of the cabin temperature. You can just sit back in the electric front sport seats (that have the bonus of being heated when the weather turns cold outside) and unwind. The driver’s seat boasts a full memory function that is linked with the movement of the exterior mirrors and the electric steering column so that the optimum seating position can be established for the driver.

The interior is beautifully crafted and has Carbon Atlas inlays as standard. You can choose additional interior inlays: Brushed matt aluminium, Fine grain myrtle, Nutmeg and Piano finish black. The luggage can be fully secured with flexible straps. Kiddies can be protected from the heat of the Australian sun with manual blinds for the rear windows. Speaking of young ones, the kids can be fully occupied with an onboard TV. And, Audi has a class leading MMI – Multi Media Interface system. This is a fully integrated control system that betters BMW’s iDrive. The MMI system has a 7” colour display. At the touch of a button, you can know exactly where you are heading with Audi’s quite exceptional navigation system, and, of course, the car has full mobile phone and Bluetooth compatiblity. Awesome to hold, the RS leather covered multifunctional sports steering wheel is three-spoke in its design. You may, as I would, opt for the gorgeous 20” cast aluminium, titanium-look alloy wheels that have 275/35 rubber attached – no wonder the RS6 Avant holds the road!

If you drive only the best and need the extra space for carrying camping equipment or the team’s soccer gear without being scant on sensational performance, then the RS6 Avant is, at the very least, worth a tick in the “must look” box.

The current model series includes the:

• RS6 Avant

For any more information on the Audi RS6 Avant, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Audi dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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