The Audi RS6 is the symbol of performance wagons, even though people looking for a speedy way to move their families around also have the option of the equally fast Mercedes-AMG E 63 S Estate (or T-Modell in its home market).
BMW used to play this game as well, but the current M5, for the time being, only comes in sedan form. That leaves Audi and Mercedes-AMG to fight for the top spot in what is one of the most niche segments of the automotive industry: performance wagons.
On paper, the AMG E 63 S edges it. Its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 develops 612 PS (603 hp), which is roughly 12 horsepower more than what the similar engine in the Audi RS6 Avant manages to squeeze out. The torque difference is also in the AMG's favor, and with both sporting all-wheel-drive systems and dual-clutch transmissions, there really isn't much to separate between them.
Well, while most sane people would argue 600+ hp is enough for a station wagon, others presumably want to compete with the Bugatti Veyron, for some reason. What we know is a 1,001 hp Audi RS6 Avant exists, it's red, and it's absolutely awesome.
With a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) time of 3.6 seconds, the standard RS6 can definitely smoke plenty of sports cars off the line, especially if they only send their power to the rear wheels. This one, however, cuts almost a full second off that time, and we feel it could do even better in more favorable conditions (warmer temperature, grippier surface).
What about 0-124 mph (0-200 km/h)? Add 5.34 seconds to the 2.79 it took it to reach 62 mph (100 km/h), and you get 8.13 seconds. But the really crazy thing is it only needs a fraction over 20 seconds (20.4) in total to go from zero to 186 mph (300 km/h).
The video below shows a run that stops at 207 mph (333 km/h), yet we doubt that's the RS6's top speed since there was still some room left on the rev meter. Since these trials take place on public roads (unrestricted Autobahn sections), there's always the chance of something interfering.
Things look different when you're doing this kind of speed, so even the most harmless maneuver from another driver can seem like an attempted assault on your life. YouTube views are great, but getting home in one piece is still more important, so 207 mph it is.
"Boy meets car, boy loves car, boy gets journalism degree and starts job writing and editing at a car magazine" - 5/5. (Vlad Mitrache if he was a movie) Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News