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Audi S6 plus marked the start of vehicle development at what is today Audi Sport GmbH The DNA of the RS models: maximum driving dynamics, unrestricted everyday utility, and highest differentiation Steffen Bamberger, Head of Technical Development at Audi Sport GmbH: “RS models will still offer drivers great fun behind the wheel when electrified.” plus! At the former quattro GmbH, these four letters represented the particularly sporty derivatives of what were already highly performaning RS 6 and RS 7 models. They adhered to the philosophy of leveraging as much car technology as possible, i.e., teasing out an additional plus in driving dynamics – while retaining the everyday usability the vehicles were renowned for. In 2016, “plus” became “performance”, but the philosophy remained the same. It all began almost 30 years ago with the Audi S6 plus: A look, both back in time and into the future, at the highest performance cars in Audi’s portfolio. The history of the RS 6 performance models began with the C4 generation Audi S6 plus in 1996. That is when quattro GmbH (now Audi Sport GmbH), initially a supplier of high-quality accessories from 1983 and then tasked with a vehicle customization program starting in 1995, was given a new focus. It took over responsibility for the sporty derivative, internally called the Q1. Following the success of the Audi Avant RS2, the aim was to create a new model with more power and greater driving dynamics. The Audi S6 V8 provided the ideal foundation for this goal. The ancestor of all high-performance models: the Audi S6 plus For the S6 plus, Audi’s engine development unit in Neckarsulm developed a more powerful version of the 4.2-liter V8 that powered the regular Audi S6. The engine’s output was increased from 290 to 326 PS, outstripping even the Audi Avant RS2. The car was given larger front brakes, a six-speed transmission with shorter ratios on third gear and up, and stiffer suspension.

Audi RS 6 Avant and RS 7 Sportback stand for immense driving performance with maximum everyday practicality. The new Audi RS 6 Avant performance and RS 7 Sportback performance models are now more powerful and faster than any Audi RS 6 and RS 7 that came before. Their potent 4.0-liter V8 biturbo TFSI engines produce 463 kW (630 hp) and have a maximum torque of 850 Newton meters. These new models spearhead a history that began almost 30 years ago with the Audi S6 Plus. You can find more information in the press folder.

Power increase of 30 PS and 50 Nm make for a faster sprint from 0–100 km/h in 3.4 seconds More precise handling thanks to optimized self-locking center differential, new 22-inch lightweight wheels, and high-performance tires Matte exterior components and blue interior accents highlight the exclusive character of the performance models More powerful and faster than any RS 6 and RS 7 to date: new Audi RS 6 Avant performance and the RS 7 Sportback performance are bursting with extras that sharpen the models’ appearance and make for a more emotive driving experience.

Stephan Reil, long-time Head of Research & Development at quattro GmbH (now Audi Sport GmbH), remembers 20 years of the Audi RS 6 “At the time, nobody imagined that much power in a station wagon because there just wasn’t anything like it” “With the current generation C8, the RS 6 has grown into a worldwide success story” From the first generation RS 6 to the current one: Stephan Reil was there from the start and had a lot of influence on the development of the high-performance Audi. A graduate engineer, he became Division Head for Vehicle Customization at quattro GmbH (now Audi Sport GmbH) in 1996. In 1998, he took over as Head of Vehicle Development for all of the company’s complete vehicles and since 2020 he has been in charge of technical development for AUDI AG at the Neckarsulm site. On the twentieth anniversary of the first generation RS 6, the C5, Reil looks back on the challenges in development and technical refinement and remembers defining events. Mr. Reil, when did development start on the C5 (2002-2004), the first generation RS 6? The Audi RS program originally started in the mid-range.

Four Audi vehicles are featured in the new action thriller directed by Joe & Anthony Russo presenting intelligent and sophisticated performance Audi and Netflix release an exclusive behind-the-scenes video showcasing the vehicles in action Audi and Netflix collaborate on The Gray Man to bring the world of Sierra Six (Ryan Gosling) to fans around the world. As the film’s official automotive brand, four Audi vehicles will be featured including the all electric Audi RS e-tron GT and Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron, as well as the Audi RS 7 Sportback and Audi R8 Coupe. The Gray Man opened in select theaters globally on July 15 and will be released worldwide on Netflix tomorrow July 22, 2022. The Gray Man is a modern-day global action thriller that features a star-studded cast: Ryan Gosling (Sierra Six), Chris Evans (Lloyd Hansen), Ana de Armas (Dani Miranda), Jessica Henwick (Suzanne Brewer), Regé-Jean Page (Denny Carmichael), Wagner Moura (Laszlo), Julia Butters (Claire), Dhanush (Avik San), with Billy Bob Thornton (Donald Fitzroy), and Alfre Woodard (Margaret Cahill), and more.

Combination of pioneering performance and outstanding everyday usability have always been trademark features of an RS 6 The current RS 6 Avant – now available in the US for the first time – is the global market leader in its segment with a uniquely wide body From the C5 to the C8, Dynamic Ride Control suspension ensures first class driving dynamics One car has been exciting Audi Sport GmbH and a worldwide fanbase like no other for 20 years: across four generations, the Audi RS 6 has set the tone for high-performance station wagons with impressive performance and outstanding everyday usability. It owes the success of its underlying concept from 2002 to its double-charged engine and all-wheel drive. The basic concept has been the same across every generation of the RS 6. Again and again, it sets new standards in its competitive environment as well. Technical Vorsprung also turns up in other places, such as Dynamic Ride Control suspension. It has been used in other RS models from Audi for a long time. The C5: a desire for performance in the upper mid-range Shortly after the start of the new millennium, what was then quattro GmbH (now Audi Sport GmbH) was faced with the question of which car the staff would give a sporty renovation to after the RS 4. It was an opportune moment for the Audi A6. The first generation (C5) underwent a product enhancement in 2001 and Audi also wanted to add more power under the hood in its upper mid-range. The brand was self-aware and motorsports were in high demand. Audi drove its way to the winners stand on the first try at its premiere in the legendary 24-hour Le Mans in 1999. The company with the four rings made history again in 2000, 2001, and 2002.

Combination of pioneering performance and outstanding everyday usability have always been trademark features of an RS 6 The current RS 6 Avant – now available in the US for the first time – is the global market leader in its segment with a uniquely wide body From the C5 to the C8, Dynamic Ride Control suspension ensures first class driving dynamics One car has been exciting Audi Sport GmbH and a worldwide fanbase like no other for 20 years: across four generations, the Audi RS 6 has set the tone for high-performance station wagons with impressive performance and outstanding everyday usability. It owes the success of its underlying concept from 2002 to its double-charged engine and all-wheel drive. The basic concept has been the same across every generation of the RS 6. Again and again, it sets new standards in its competitive environment as well. Technical Vorsprung also turns up in other places, such as Dynamic Ride Control suspension. It has been used in other RS models from Audi for a long time. The C5: a desire for performance in the upper mid-range Shortly after the start of the new millennium, what was then quattro GmbH (now Audi Sport GmbH) was faced with the question of which car the staff would give a sporty renovation to after the RS 4. It was an opportune moment for the Audi A6. The first generation (C5) underwent a product enhancement in 2001 and Audi also wanted to add more power under the hood in its upper mid-range. The brand was self-aware and motorsports were in high demand. Audi drove its way to the winners stand on the first try at its premiere in the legendary 24-hour Le Mans in 1999. The company with the four rings made history again in 2000, 2001, and 2002.

Audi Sport GmbH now has largest product range ever Delivery figures for R and RS models hit record high Systematic electrification strategy in the high-performance segment Audi Sport GmbH had an epic year in 2020, delivering more than 29,300 vehicles to customers – a new record for the high-performance carmaker. With more than 15 R and RS models currently available, it now boasts its largest product range ever. And with its RS e-tron GT, Audi Sport has also succeeded in entering the all-electric world. In this interview, the company’s new Managing Director Sebastian Grams and Rolf Michl, Head of Sales and Marketing, explain the technological potential offered by electrification and what this means from a sales perspective. Sebastian, you’ve been a member of the management team at Audi Sport GmbH since the first of March. Politicians are traditionally asked to provide an initial assessment after 100 days in office. What was this period of time like for you? Sebastian Grams: I’m a native of Heilbronn in Germany and began my career here at Audi 20 years ago in the field of drive development. I can promise you that there isn’t a child in this region who doesn’t dream of working at Audi Sport. Like everyone on our team, I’m a performance enthusiast and extremely passionate about technology. Our mission is to push the limits of what’s possible – that’s what Audi Sport is all about. And I’m positive that this will continue to be the case in the future. Speaking of limits, what do you think it takes to break new ground? Sebastian Grams: Change begins, first and foremost, in the mind.