Audi RS6 Avant launched in India at Rs 1.35 crore

Audi launched the RS6 Avant in India at Rs 1.35 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi) today. The RS6 Avant is a high-performance version of the luxury carmaker’s A6 Avant estate.

This performance estate follows Audi’s recent launches of the new Audi TT and the facelifted RS7 Sportback in the country. The RS6 Avant is part of the carmaker's 10 new model line-up planned for India this year.

The RS6 Avant is powered by a 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 engine churning out 552bhp and 71.4kgm of torque, which is also found in the RS7. The engine comes mated to an eight speed automatic gearbox. Power is channeled to all wheels via Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive. Incidentally, the all-wheel drive system is one of the RS6's key differentiators to purely rear-wheel drive rivals as the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG and BMW M5.Audi claims the RS6 Avant can scramble from 0-100kph in 3.9 seconds, while going on to hit a top speed of 305kph.

Of course, the RS6 also stands out for its estate shape. While estates have met with little success in India in the past, Audi believes the market has matured and buyers are ready to give estates a serious look. Moreover, Audi India head Joe King is of the view the launch of the RS6 gives Audi a crucial first mover advantage in this niche of the luxury car segment. While the appeal of estates in India may be up for debate, there's no denying the RS6 is a handsome car.

On the outside, the RS6 Avant is a sharp-looking performance estate with a sculpted grille bearing the word 'Quattro’ in bold lettering, along with sporty air intakes, bumpers and sideskirts. The car features LED headlights with an arrow-style LED running lamp that cuts straight through the center.

The RS6 Avant has an adaptive air suspension that lowers the body by 20mm. Audi is offering the RS sport suspension with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) as an option. Moreover, the RS6 Avant gets 20-inch wheels as standard; 21‑inch wheels will be offered as an option.

The RS6 Avant will be brought in to India as CBU, and in limited numbers. The premium car manufacturer is keen on increasing efforts to maintain the leadership that it presently holds in the luxury car market in India.

In FY 2014-15, Audi posted record sales of 11,292 units, up 11.51 percent from the previous year, beating arch-rival Mercedes to the No. 1 spot by selling just 79 units more. BMW on the other hand, is behind two German automakers in India by a large margin.

NISHANT PAREKH