Audi RS 6 Avant and the United States -- "Don't count it out."

"Audi For Life" (audiforlife)
08/29/2013 at 12:14 • Filed to: Audi, RS 6 Avant, Automatch Bait

I'll let the snippet from !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! speak for itself.

In a candid chat about the brand’s coolest offerings with an American Audi executive, the subject of the RS 6 Avant came up. Yes, the RS 7 is virtually upon us and yes their focus is that car, but deep down in places that Americna staffers rarely admit when speaking in terms of market demand, there is comprehension that enthusiasts view wagons like junkies view crack. Throw in flared fender arches and a 560 hp engine and… well… you get the idea.

Anyway, when the subject turned to the RS 6 Avant, a candid comment was made. “Don’t count it out.”

Wait. What!?!?

Does this mean we should go running to the web in a modern Paul Revere meets Twitter sort of way and confirm the RS 6 Avant (#WantAnRS6) is on for America? Not exactly. What this does mean though is that it could happen. While NOT a confirmation, that’s better than a won’t happen. Also, that it was even on the table is great news.

For me, I'll believe it when I see an RS 6 Avant listed in an Audi USA Order Guide.

Oh, and I can't just post this without an image of an RS 6 Avant for Automatch :)

Photo by !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

DISCUSSION (28)

twinturbobmw > Audi For Life
08/29/2013 at 12:15

Crossed fingers!

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Audi For Life
08/29/2013 at 12:16

That's good news, although I'd like to see a sedan too. I really don't know what they're thinking by not trying to steal some of the M5/E63 thunder. There's only money to be made. Not that I wouldn't still buy an M5, but many would like the RS6. Hell, I'd rather have the RS6 than the MB.

ColoradoTaco > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
08/29/2013 at 12:22

The best RS models have always been avant only. RS2, B5 RS4, C6 RS6 would be my absolute dream garage

ddavidn > Audi For Life
08/29/2013 at 12:23

Don't get me excited! I'm starting to get excited, quick, post a picture of a Crosstour!

Audi For Life > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
08/29/2013 at 12:28

I think it comes down to perceptions, both from the customer and from Audi's view point that the US does not like wagons; and, that makes creating a business case a bit more difficult.

The other thing to consider, again from the business perspective, is that the extra cost that comes with an A7/S7 body (vs the A6/S6) can by hidden a bit better within the price tag of the RS 7. The good part of that is, if Audi does bring the RS 6 Avant over, we might see a starting price of below $100K.

That, and people are drawn in by the A7/S7 Sportback design and I think Audi wants to use the RS 7 to lure people in.

I definitely want to see a proper M5/E63 AMG competitor in the US, and the RS 7 is one step towards that. I also wouldn't mind seeing an RS 6 saloon come over to the US, but it would make me miss/want the RS 6 Avant even more.

Audi For Life > ddavidn
08/29/2013 at 12:30

How dare you mention the Crosstour in an Audi thread as a boner killer :) It has to be this:

Kinja'd!!!

Audi For Life > ddavidn
08/29/2013 at 12:34

Or if you want to stay on-topic with an Audi...

Kinja'd!!!

Victorious Secret > Audi For Life
08/29/2013 at 12:34

For what its worth, the same song and dance was said about the RS4 so I'll remain pessimistic till AoA releases order guides and prices with those guides.

ddavidn > Audi For Life
08/29/2013 at 12:36

I guess. Definitely killed it.

I just get too excited about things that never really end up coming over here... Then I am sad...

ddavidn > Audi For Life
08/29/2013 at 12:36

I don't hate this quite as much as you think I do...

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > ColoradoTaco
08/29/2013 at 12:37

Same. It's weird, it's like they are afraid to make sedans. I don't know, I feel that they like the exclusivity but they are missing out on a lot of people who don't really want a wagon but want the batshit crazy rest of it, like me. I just have a thing for sedans, it's borderline pathological I know. But the wagons do look good.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Audi For Life
08/29/2013 at 12:40

All good points. I guess I wish they'd just finally grab their balls and offer all the RS models over here, in all body styles, as I'm pretty sure people would buy them. Especially since they are, honestly, consistently brilliant. Part of the problem has always been limited production + cost. When the first RS6 came here, it was $80k+ at a time when the E55 and M5 were in the 70s. And they only sent 800 here. They did a much better job with the RS4, and look how many sold. Hell, look how well they hold their value. A good one will still set you back over 40k, a mint one maybe almost 50. I think if they do it right, they could be very successful.

ColoradoTaco > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
08/29/2013 at 12:41

Lucky for you they made the RS6 sedan back in 2003 and actually sold it here in the states, in fact you could only get it sedan form here. They run from low to mid $20k now. 4.2L bi-turbo V8, a friends put down a dyno proven 400awhp and 500aw ft/lbs with just a chip and exhuast. The knock against them is the tiptronic only trans

Mattbob > Victorious Secret
08/29/2013 at 12:44

wait what? There are RS4s here. I see one quite frequently around work. Were they not supposed to be here? or are you speaking of an RS4 avant?

Audi For Life > Victorious Secret
08/29/2013 at 12:44

Aye, same here.

Victorious Secret > Mattbob
08/29/2013 at 12:45

B8.5 RS4, the Avant only ones

Audi For Life > ddavidn
08/29/2013 at 12:45

The Audi Cross Cabriolet may not be the most useful or a great looking car, but many many many miles ahead of the Murano turd.

ddavidn > Audi For Life
08/29/2013 at 12:47

For sure. I'd still rally it...

Mattbob > Victorious Secret
08/29/2013 at 12:48

ahhh, you lost me. I'm not really an Audi person so I don't know all of the details. nevermind, wiki'd it. Yeah, it's not an avant.

Audi For Life > ColoradoTaco
08/29/2013 at 12:48

...and it's a huge knock, considering how quickly the Tiptronic gearbox needs to be rebuild in those things if you drove them like they should be. I know the new 8-speed Tiptronic gearboxes are better; but, would have preferred an S Tronic gearbox. The problem there is there isn't an S Tronic gearbox that can handle that power and torque and be situated in the same spot as the Tip in the RS 6/RS 7/S8.

ColoradoTaco > Audi For Life
08/29/2013 at 12:50

I've read that an 01E 6 speed swap is very doable though

Audi For Life > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
08/29/2013 at 12:51

I'm not entirely sure what the sales breakdown is when it comes to RS models (US vs EU vs rest of the world), but I have a feeling that that has something to do with the lack of RS saloons.

Audi For Life > ColoradoTaco
08/29/2013 at 12:53

That's what I've heard as well and would make it a proper uber-sports saloon :)

Audi For Life > Victorious Secret
08/29/2013 at 12:56

There were a couple of B5 RS 4 Avants that were imported (through third-party channels) to the US. Otherwise, we've only received the RS 4 saloons and cabriolets in the US.

Saracen > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
08/29/2013 at 13:20

They're not "afraid to make sedans".

The first RS model, the RS2, was a wagon only because Audi wanted their highest performance car to have to ultimate in all weather capability and practicality. The B5 RS4 followed suit. If it wasn't for our retarded, wagon-allergic US car market then the B7 RS4 would have been Avant only as well. Same goes for the first gen RS6. The second gen RS6 was available as a sedan in Europe, but very very few were sold. I'm guessing that they considered selling the RS6 sedan in the states and backed out at the last minute.

It's not being afraid to make sedans. It's tradition and philosophy.

Saracen > Audi For Life
08/29/2013 at 13:22

That is very interesting news, but out of my ballpark of affordability.

An RS4 Avant, however..

Saracen > Audi For Life
08/29/2013 at 14:08

the A7 body carries a roughly 7-8k premium over the A6.

So yes...I think you could expect an RS6 Avant to squeak in under 100k. Probably 97-98k or so.

Tom McParland > Audi For Life
09/26/2013 at 21:44

I must have missed this. Thanks for the pics...and the depressing news. :( Not that I could buy one anyway.