We might need a pinch of salt to go with this news, but word on the street is that Audi is set to bring its range-topping performance versions of the A6 and A6 Avant to the United States. That’s right, if this report is accurate, that means that we will soon see both the RS6 (sedan) and the RS6 Avant (wagon) to join the next-generation RS 7 Sportback.

Audi has been reticent to bringing the hardcore versions of its A6 to the U.S. market, but sources for CarBuzz indicate that both performance models will be sold here by the year 2020. The news of the RS6, while surprising, isn’t too far out of the realm of possibility.

However, the idea that the RS6 Avant will make it here is both earth shattering and almost too good to be true. The number of station wagons available in the United States has been decimated in the past two decades as crossovers have risen to become the family “car” of choice for Americans. However, at the high end of the market, we still have the Mercedes-Benz
AMG E63 S wagon which features a 4.0-liter “biturbo” V8 engine thumping out 603hp. It’s also priced from a mind-numbing $107,000.

The RS6 and RS6 Avant would also be powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine; one that is shared with the Porsche Panamera. The current generation RS 7 Sportback is priced from $113,900, so expect similar pricing for the RS6 and RS6 Avant if they actually arrive stateside.

The timing of this “rumor” is actually quite interesting given an article by Bloomberg News that was published earlier this week entitled “Richer Americans Are Skipping SUVs for Station Wagons.” According to the publication, station wagon sales surged 29 percent in 2018 and are a popular choice for customers that need more cargo capacity than a sedan can provide, but don’t want to drive a vehicle that feels like it’s on stilts.

“There’s a group of consumers who are greatly interested in the versatility and capability of an SUV, but they don’t want to be seen as someone who just goes with the flow,” said Sam Russell, marketing manager for Buick. Buick recently introduced its Regal TourX to compete with the premium wagons like the Audi A4 Allroad and Volvo V60. “They are almost violently opposed to being mainstream.

“As long as you deliver on the styling, I think there will always be an opportunity for wagons.”

It looks like Audi heard our pleading. Today the company pulled the cover off of its new RS6 Avant – and it's finally coming to America. The latest RS6 Avant celebrates 25 years of Audi's iconic RS brand and kicks off a new chapter in the performance wagon's long lineage in style.

"In our 25-year RS history, the Audi RS6 Avant is one of our absolute icons with a large fan community worldwide," says Oliver Hoffmann, Managing Director of Audi Sport. "For the first time we will also offer the RS 6 Avant in North America. This will open up we are entering a new market with great potential and generating further growth."











Adapting the angular edges of the current A6, the RS6 Avant toughens up. The front fascia, highlighted by a squircular grille and two massive intake vents at either side, gives the RS6 an aggressive, distinctive look. Same goes for the rear; dual exhaust tips, a black mesh diffuser, and silver trim helps the RS6 Avant stand out from its more staid sibling, as it should.

Power comes from a twin-turbocharged, hybridized 4.0-liter V8 that produces 591 horsepower (441 kilowatts) and 590 pound-feet (800 Newton-meters) of torque. That makes the RS6 Avant the most powerful iteration to date (before package options, of course). The Audi's electrified oomph travels through an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission to all four wheels via a full-time Quattro all-wheel-drive system. To 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) it takes the RS6 Avant a blistering 3.6 seconds. Top is limited to 155 mph (250 kmh).

While that may not sound like a lot on the top end, there's good news you speed freaks. With the available Dynamic package, the RS6 Avant's top speed increases to 174 mph (280 kmh). And with the Dynamic Package Plus after that, the top speed jumps again to 190 mph (305 kmh). Not only do these optional packages increase the Avant's top speed, but each also adds a mechanically operated central diff that transfers up to 70-percent of power to the front wheels or 85-percent to the rear as needed.







For the first time, the RS6 Avant employs a standard adaptive air suspension. At its conventional ride height, the RS 6 sits 0.8 inches (20 millimeters) lower than the traditional A6 Avant. But at speeds of 75 mph (120 kmh) and beyond, the ride height drops by 0.4 inches (10 millimeters). A "lift mode" feature, meanwhile, raises the ride height by 0.8 inches at low speeds, aiding with any especially steep parking garages.

But buyers in search of even more "dynamism" can option the RS Sports Suspension Plus, which tacks on Dynamic Ride Control (DRC). With DRC, the elective setup pairs new steel springs and three-stage adjustable dampers to help reinforce the ride and reduce roll. It is a big girl, after all; the RS 6 Avant has 20.0 cubic feet (565 liters) of space in the trunk and carries up to 60.0 cubic feet (1,680 liters) in total interior volume.

Gallery: 2020 Audi RS6 Avant

24 Photos



Inside, the RS6 Avant borrows Audi's latest version of the virtual cockpit. That includes an MMI touchscreen interface and a head-up display. Only, now the virtual cockpit comes with a few RS-specific cues, things like a G-force meter, the temperature status of various components, torque, power, boost pressure, lap times, and RS-specific graphics throughout. It also pairs with safety systems like Adaptive Driving Assistant. The Audi RS6 Avant also offers six distinctive drive modes: Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Efficiency, and configurable RS modes – RS1 and RS2 – located on the steering wheel, each of which adjusts throttle pressure, steering input, and suspension stiffness depending on the setting.

No pricing details yet. But in Germany and other parts of Europe, the new Audi RS 6 Avant goes on sale in the first quarter of 2020. We hope it makes its way to America as soon as that.