New limited-run Audi RS 6 GT is the last word RS 6 and, at £176k, it must be

Audi’s RS 6 excessive efficiency property is about to undergo fairly a change because it adopts plug-in and full-EV powertrains for the following era, however not with out a ultimate hurrah for the present mannequin. That is the Audi RS 6 GT, a limited-run final iteration of the present V8-powered Audi RS 6 that’s full to the brim with bespoke design parts and has a tweaked chassis. Solely 660 models shall be constructed, and 60 of these shall be coming to the UK with a price ticket of £176,975.

Earlier than you get too excited, it’s value breaking the information that the GT doesn’t have any extra energy than the present RS 6 Efficiency, with a complete of 621bhp and 850Nm of torque generated from its twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8. That is nonetheless related to an eight-speed computerized transmission and RS-specific quattro all-wheel drive system, however Audi Sport has tweaked the Sport quattro Differential on the rear axle to provide it much more aggressive traits when the automotive is in its sportier drive modes.

Nonetheless, efficiency has improved marginally over the Efficiency, with one other tenth of a second knocked off the present Efficiency mannequin’s 0-62mph time – now claimed at simply 3.3 seconds. Audi’s colossal 420mm carbon ceramic entrance brakes with ten-piston calipers are additionally fitted as commonplace. 

It’s the suspension which has been most importantly overhauled, with a brand new coilover setup that pairs bespoke, manually adjustable dampers to lowered coil springs. Audi has additionally tweaked the anti-roll bars at each ends, that are 30 per cent stiffer on the entrance axle and 80 per cent stiffer on the rear. As commonplace, the GT sits 10mm decrease than a regular RS 6, and may ship a extra direct and pure highway really feel. If prospects want, they’ll nonetheless go for the usual air-springs or ‘DRC’ hydraulically crosslinked suspension choices, too. 

Exterior design

Probably extra apparent are Audi’s adjustments to the RS 6’s already moderately auspicious design. The bonnet and entrance wings are each bespoke and manufactured from carbon fibre, the latter that includes an RS 3-style vent that Audi says aids with brake cooling. The entrance bumper can be new, and is matched to the brand new rear bumper fitted with an much more aggressive diffuser insert once more manufactured from, you guessed it, carbon fibre. 

Audi has additionally fitted a big rear wing, and that is additionally notably the primary time that an RS 6 mannequin hasn’t featured roof bars. These aesthetic updates are then paired to a novel 22-inch wheel design that contains a fashionable interpretation of the six-spoke design that was used throughout Audi’s excessive efficiency fashions from the nineties. 

Audi will supply the RS 6 with livery packages that reference the model’s basic racing colors. There are literally three completely different liveries obtainable, together with the Arkana White setup seen right here, plus barely extra delicate choices based mostly on Nardo Gray or Mythos black base colors. In each darker liveries, the wheel end is swapped to black – in both gloss or matte finishes. In addition to these, prospects can go for considered one of 5 primary colors in a spectrum from black to white with just a few greys in between, in addition to Madeira brown.

RS 6 GT inside 

Audi’s additionally been at work on the inside, rising the usage of Dinamica materials throughout the doorways, sprint and seats. As commonplace, all GT fashions function a brand new set of carbon fibre-backed bucket seats that, not like the RS 4 Competitors, shall be supplied on UK fashions. These are completed in a mix of black leather-based and Dynamica, with pink and gold stitching, once more referencing Audi’s basic racing colors. The sprint and door decor trims are additionally completed in Dinamica as commonplace, though consumers can go for an unlacquered carbon fibre end if they like. 

All of those distinctive parts are utilized at Audi Sport specialised plant after rolling off the same old manufacturing line, which is accountable for the R8 and e-tron GT fashions. Whereas this does have a good time the tip of the RS 6 line as we all know it, the moniker will quickly be put to make use of in an all-electric RS 6 e-tron that’s already properly into its improvement section.

A combustion-powered equal will come alongside within the type of a brand new RS 7 Avant due in late 2025 or early 2026, however just like the smaller RS 5 Avant we just lately noticed, the RS 7 will function a plug-in hybrid powertrain. This excessive excessive efficiency plug-in hybrid property class goes to get very crowded, with BMW’s new M5 and a brand new era AMG E-Class additionally each on their method. 

Click on right here for our record of the finest efficiency vehicles to purchase…