MANILA: Audi Sport celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Audi RS 6 by looking back on its four generations that have set the standard for high-performance station wagons.

The Audi RS 6 has been known for its outstanding performance and daily usability, thanks to its double-charged engine and all-wheel drive. Its underlying concept has been used across every generation since 2002.

The first-generation model (C5) was designed to give a sporty renovation to the Audi A6, following the success of the Audi RS 4. It measured 1.6-inch longer and wider than the Audi A6 and featured new skirts, wider sills, 18- or 19-inch wheels, and two oval tailpipes. It also adapted a true sportscar engine, suspension, and transmission.

The V8 engine of the first RS 6 produced an impressive 450ps and 560Nm of torque. It was mated to a torque-converter transmission that enabled shorter shifting times for gear shifts. The first RS 6 was able to sprint from a standstill to 100kph in 4.7 seconds. To achieve the perfect balance of comfort and sportiness in everyday driving, the Audi RS 6 was built with the newly developed Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) suspension.

“The DRC reduces roll and pitch movements in sporty driving, both on straightaways and in curves,” Audi Neckarsulm Technical Development Head Stephan Reil stated.

In 2008, Audi released the second-generation RS 6 (C6). The power and displacement were increased, as well as the number of cylinders which totaled 10. The engine produced 580ps and 650Nm of torque, available starting at 1,500rpm.

“With its two turbochargers and manifolds, the V10 already looks like a work of art and it's powerful. I don’t know of any engine compartment that is filled better than the one in the RS 6 C6,” Reil said.

The V10 engine was coupled to a six-gear automatic that helped improve cooling, shift speed, and power distribution.

Only 500 units of the second-generation RS 6 were produced. Each vehicle featured a numbered badge on the interior, special alloy wheels with a five-spoke design, leather on the instrument panel, and floor mats with the RS 6 logo.

In 2013, the third-generation RS 6 (C7) was launched, featuring fewer cylinders. The RS 6 returned to double-turbocharged eight-cylinder with four liters of displacement. The sedan variant was discontinued, and the Audi RS 7 Sportback took over in the US.

The third-generation RS 6’s engine produced 600ps and 700Nm of torque. It was mated to the new eight-speed tiptronic, making it capable of reaching 100kph in just 3.9 seconds and achieving a top speed of 305kph. The C7 generation also had 30% lower fuel consumption than its predecessor.

Customers wanted a little bit more comfort, so air suspension became a standard feature for the third-generation RS 6.

Although it initially received criticism for its fewer cylinders,the C7 was the RS 6 generation that became a best-seller and the market leader in the high-performance station wagon segment.

In 2019, Audi released the fourth generation of the RS 6 (C8), which is powered by a four-liter biturbo engine that generates 600ps and 800Nm of torque. The C8 is the first RS 5 to have a 48-volt mild hybrid system.

It features a new all-wheel steering that improves stability at high speeds. When driving at low speeds, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction as the front wheels to reduce the turning radius and make parking easier.

In terms of design, the C8 creates a different impression, featuring a distinctive look that instantly conveys that it is no normal A6. The roof, front doors, and tailgate are the only design features that the RS 6 Avant shares with the A6 Avant. The other components of the RS 6 were modified and the body was widened by 3.15 inches. The wheels and tires are also wider and taller. The C8 comes standard with 21-inch wheels, and 22-inch wheels are available as an option for the first time.

The C8 is available in the US for the first time as the RS 6 Avant, and its success story continues as it continues to be in demand worldwide.

Photos from Audi Sport

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