2020 Audi RS6 Avant Lets Us Hear Exhaust in the Wild, Looks Promising

Only a few days ago, the new S8 super-sedan was launched. It's based on outdated ideas of what customers want, and we don't see it doing well. I mean, just look at all the American automakers that are getting out of sedans.

Still, all the technology that made it to the 2020 S8 will also be found on this new RS6, as well as the RS7 coupe sister. We're talking about the 48-volt electrical platform which allows more advanced suspension and engines. Basically, it's like eating the whole luxury cake and not getting all that fat afterward.

Just listen to the spy video, captured in Germany by WalkoArt, and tell us if the new RS6 doesn't sound as good as the old one. At the same time, you can expect mild improvements in both performance and fuel economy. All signs point towards this being the last generation of V8-powered Audi performance cars. The next ones are going to be diesel, electric or nothing at all.

Depending on how you look at it, the 2020 S8 went up in power from 520 to 571 HP, which represents a 51 HP gain. If that's the case with the RS6, it would go from 560 to about 610 HP. However, we expect it to either have the same output as the S8 or match the 605 HP of the old RS6 performance.

Taking into account that the new electrical system also adds weight, we expect most of the performance increases to come from the gearbox and tires. But it sounds good.