- A camouflaged prototype of the brand new Audi RS6 was concerned in a minor crash check on the Nordschleife.
- The efficiency wagon slammed into the tire wall, however was in a position to slowly drive off and depart the monitor.
- The brand new RS6 is predicted to debut later this yr in each sedan and wagon physique kinds.
From a quantity perspective, Audi’s most vital debuts of the yr would be the next-generation Q7 and the first-ever Q9. The A2 is coming again strictly electrical as a part of a lineup reshuffle that additionally contains discontinuing the A1 supermini and Q2 subcompact crossover. Fortunately, fans received’t be uncared for both. The brand new RS5 will probably be adopted shortly by its larger brother, the RS6.
Earlier than the tremendous wagon is prepared for the limelight, Audi is placing the ending touches on camouflaged prototypes. CarSpyMedia not too long ago caught the next-generation RS6 Avant on the Nürburgring throughout last-minute testing, however it didn’t finish properly. At one level in the course of the high-speed run, the motive force misplaced management and slammed into the tire wall, inflicting minor harm to the work-in-progress automobile.
Whereas the minor affect took its toll on the bodywork, the RS6 was in a position to proceed its run, albeit it principally crawled its manner off the monitor. The incident fuels the long-running controversy over how inclined Audis are to understeer, and making the next-generation mannequin even heavier definitely received’t assist. How heavy? Properly, switching to a plug-in hybrid setup is certain to deliver a major weight penalty.
For reference, the brand new RS5 Avant ideas the scales at 5,225 kilos (2,370 kilograms), however the RS6 will probably be bigger. The jury remains to be out on which engine it’ll have. Though an informed guess suggests one other V8 to honor the custom, the prototype sounds suspiciously prefer it has the identical V6 engine because the RS5 fashions.
It definitely lacks the audible drama of a V8, although with Europe’s ever-tightening laws, we will’t say we’re stunned. Assuming Audi is demoting the RS6 to a six-cylinder engine, we will at the very least anticipate an influence enhance over its smaller brother, which pumps out a mixed 630 hp and 608 lb-ft (825 Nm) of torque. By itself, the twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 is nice for 503 hp and 442 lb-ft (600 Nm).
Audi received’t be doing one other RS7 Sportback, however it’s going to deliver again a fan favourite: the RS6 Sedan. Anticipate each physique kinds to interrupt cowl later this yr and tackle the BMW M5 Touring and Sedan, that are additionally plug-in hybrids, however with two further cylinders. Mercedes-AMG at the moment doesn’t have an E63, however the efficiency division has committed long-term to V8 engines.
Motor1’s Take: Although the brand new RS6 will inevitably be heavy as a result of plug-in hybrid powertrain, we’re nonetheless glad Audi stays dedicated to a different technology of its long-running RS mannequin. The tough actuality of 2026 is that electrification is a mandatory evil to fulfill emissions laws, however we’ll be upset if the V8 is basically gone.
If BMW by some means made it work and saved the V8 for the M5, something much less from Audi Sport will immediately cut back the RS6’s possibilities of success. Sharing the identical engine because the smaller, lighter, and cheaper RS5 will doubtless persuade some clients that upgrading to the RS6 is not price it.
Supply:
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