Background
For many years, Audi dined out on the reputation they’d earned themselves with the original Quattro, a car that created an entirely new category and became iconic almost overnight.
But, as the years passed by and Audi conspicuously failed to replace the Quattro with anything even half as good, the ghostly presence of the firm’s legendary fire-breathing rally-spawned monster became more of a curse than a blessing.
Audi's first speculative attempt to recreate the glory days of the Quattro came in the form of the RS2 Avant, the first model to use the evocative 'RS' (RennSport) title, and the result of a joint venture between Audi and Porsche. Audi manufactured the basic structure, which was then shipped to Porsche's Rossle-Bau plant in Zuffenhhausen for final assembly. The Rossle-Bau facility had been used to build the legendary Type 959 supercar, and had recently become available following the discontinuation of the Mercedes-Benz 500E, another Porsche co-production.
The RS2 Avant laid down the enduring blueprint for sure-footed estate cars designed to go about their business every bit as dementedly as supercars.
Then, in 1999/2000, the 380bhp twin-turbocharged 2.7-litre V6 RS4 arrived, at which point no-one could doubt that Audi were back in the game. But the car was not without its critics – gaining both a cult following and a reputation for being a bit of a crude bruiser with rather unrefined manners.
Introduced in 2002, the C5 RS6 was the first Audi to be so badged. It took the worthy-but-dull A6 chassis and added the hugely effective Torsen-based quattro permanent four-wheel-drive chassis, and a five-speed Tiptronic gearbox from ZF with Dynamic Shift Programme and Electronic Differential Locks at either end. The suspension was lowered and stiffened, comprising a fully independent four-link set-up at the front and double-wishbones at the rear.
Braking came courtesy of Brembo eight-piston brake callipers with vented and cross-drilled discs on the front axle, and ATE callipers on the back, again with vented and cross-drilled discs. Anti-lock braking, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, and Brake Assist were fitted as standard.
Monstrous motive power was supplied by a 4.2-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine. With 444bhp and 428lb/ft of torque, the RS6 could streak to 62mph in 4.6 seconds on its way to a top speed of almost 170mph.
