A long relationship with Audi RS 6

My relationship with the Audi RS6 goes back a long way. My first acquaintance with this brutal family car was back in 2003, when Martin Westerstrand and I borrowed an Audi RS6 Sedan for Slitz magazine, for which we worked and produced car articles at the time. The following year, 2004, the RS6 Plus followed, the model that later evolved into what is now called Performance.

The V10 era and Audi's extreme ambitions

In 2008, it was time for the next big step in the RS6 story. The new generation was launched with a massive V10 engine, twin turbochargers and a whopping 579 horsepower. The same basic engine, but without the twin turbo, was also found in the Lamborghini Gallardo, which says a lot about the level of ambition at Audi during this period.

Downsizing but increased focus on performance

When the third generation of the Audi RS6 was introduced in 2013, both engine size and power output had been reduced, but the focus on performance was clearer than ever. Under the bonnet was a four-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 with 560 horsepower, an engine developed in collaboration with Bentley. It was also this generation that was offered for the first time in a Performance version, with additional power and an even more pronounced focus on driving dynamics. Downsizing was a fact, but without compromising the raw power and usability that had always characterised the RS6.

That same year, I was able to experience Audi's RS programme in a context that put its development in a wider perspective. Audi invited me to Audi Alpine Tour, an intense journey that spanned six countries, 4,440 kilometres and three days. The route went from Monaco to Klagenfurt and took us over 44 Alpine passes. During the trip, I got to test drive the RS Q3, RS6 and RS7 Sportback, but also two of Audi's most iconic models, a Sport Quattro and an Ur Quattro. It was a clear reminder of how Audi's performance DNA has been refined over the decades, from its quattro-era roots to modern RS models. A background that makes the RS6 GT feel like the culmination of a long and consistent evolution rather than an isolated speciality model.

RS 6 GT - a step beyond Performance

The RS 6 GT is based on the latest version of the RS 6. The version that you could previously read a double test of here on carscollection.com, when I had the opportunity to take out both the RS 6 and RS 6 Performance at the same time. The Audi RS 6 GT is thus based on the RS 6 Performance, but takes everything a step further. Under the hood is Audi's well-known 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, which here delivers 630 horsepower and 850 Nm. Power is sent to all four wheels via the eight-speed tiptronic automatic gearbox and quattro system, providing massive grip on all surfaces. 0-100 km/h is achieved in around 3.3 seconds and the top speed is electronically limited to 305 km/h.

A chassis built for enthusiasts

The chassis has been given a distinctly more track-focused character compared to a regular RS 6. The RS 6 GT is equipped with manually adjustable coilover suspension, which is highly unusual in a car of this size and comfort level. So it's up to the driver to fine-tune the car to their liking, which says a lot about the audience Audi had in mind. The car is also lowered and has stiffer suspension and anti-roll bars, making for a much more direct and engaging driving experience.

More carbon fibre than ever before

Weight has also been a focus. The RS 6 GT uses more carbon fibre than any previous RS 6, including in the bonnet, bumper and several aerodynamic details. The result is not only less weight, but also a more aggressive look. Despite this, the car retains the high quality feel and everyday functionality that the RS 6 has always been known for, which is a big part of the model's charm.

A tribute to Audi's racing heritage

The Audi RS 6 GT is more than just numbers and technology, however. The model is a clear tribute to Audi's racing heritage and takes its inspiration from the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO from the late 1980s, one of the most extreme race cars Audi ever built. This is evident in the design, with the graphic colour blocks, white rims and aggressive aerodynamics all direct nods to that era.

Limited edition for collectors

Production is also strictly limited and each car is individually numbered. The RS 6 GT I was lent for this test was number 655 of 660. The RS 6 GT is built in Audi Sport's Böllinger Höfe plant, side by side with the R8, and with considerably more handwork than a regular RS 6. This is no ordinary special equipment, but a sophisticated enthusiast model that already has a natural place in the collector's category.

The end of an era

The RS 6 GT also represents the end of an era. With increasingly stringent emissions standards and electrification around the corner, this is very likely to be one of the last truly uncompromising V8-powered RS models from Audi. For enthusiasts, therefore, the RS 6 GT is not just an extreme hatchback, but a piece of modern Audi history that ties together racing, technology and everyday usability in a way that few other cars can.

A personal favourite

The Audi RS 6 is one of my absolute favourite cars, without a doubt. In GT trim it doesn't get worse, just better. If my finances were completely safe and I also had a family, this is the car I would have bought right away, no talk. Being able to drive away from most things on the road and at the same time fit the whole family is really not a shame.

A worthy culmination

For me personally, the Audi RS 6 is more than just another fast car. It's a model that has followed me through much of my professional life, from the early years of the RS 6 Sedan, RS 6 Plus and RS 6 Performance to today's extreme GT version. Whatever the generation, the RS 6 has always managed to combine brutal performance with everyday practicality in a way that few other cars can. The RS 6 GT feels like a worthy culmination of that journey and encapsulates everything Audi has been best at over the years, engineering, racing heritage and uncompromising practicality.

Technical information 

Audi RS 6 GT

Base price: RS 6 GT 2 186 900 kr

Engine: 4 litre V8 engine, twin turbo. 630 hp, 850 Nm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic, four-wheel drive

Acceleration 0-100 km/h: approximately 3.3 seconds

Top speed (electronically limited): 305 km/h

Weight: approximately 2 075 kg

Dimensions (length/width/height): 4 979 / 1 936 / 1 482 mm