Verdict
A
Performance Saloon · Germany · 2002-Present
Audi RS6
Audi RS6 — spec data and generation history.
Years
2002-Present
Generations
4
Segment
Performance Saloon
Audi's flagship performance estate — the RS6 has always been Avant only in the UK. C5 (2002–2004) — 4.2 biturbo V8, 444 bhp. C6 (2008–2010) — 5.0 biturbo V10 (Lamborghini Gallardo-derived), 572 bhp. C7 (2013–2018) — 4.0 TFSI biturbo V8, 552 bhp (Performance: 597 bhp). C8 (2019-Present) — 4.0 TFSI biturbo MHEV V8, 591 bhp (Performance: 621 bhp; GT special: 621 bhp track-focused).
What changed
Era-to-era deltas
C7 2013-2018 → C8 2019-Present
BHP +39 bhp
Torque +50 Nm
0–60 mph −0.5 s
Top speed +0 mph
MPG −1 mpg
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
2002-2004
C5
→
4.2 biturbo Avant — 444 bhp, 0-62 in 4.6s.
Verdict
A
BHP
444
0–60
4.6 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
14 mpg
Used
$10,000-$28,000
- + 4.2 biturbo V8 — Cosworth-built
- + Avant only — sleeper estate
- − Turbo seal failures
- − Heavy thirst
2008-2010
C6
→
5.0 biturbo V10 Avant — 572 bhp, 0-62 in 4.5s.
Verdict
A
BHP
572
0–60
4.5 s
Top
174 mph
MPG
14 mpg
Used
$23,000-$44,000
- + 5.0 biturbo V10 — Lambo Gallardo-derived
- + Saloon and Avant bodies
- − Eye-watering service costs
- − Heavy thirst
2013-2018
C7
→
4.0 TFSI Performance Avant — 597 bhp, 0-62 in 3.7s.
Verdict
A
BHP
597
0–60
3.7 s
Top
190 mph
MPG
23 mpg
Used
$36,000-$76,000
- + Avant only — keeps the sleeper estate spirit
- + 4.0 TFSI biturbo V8
- − Carbon build-up
- − COD stutter
2019-Present
C8
→
4.0 TFSI Performance MHEV — 621 bhp, 0-62 in 3.4s.
Verdict
A
BHP
621
0–60
3.4 s
Top
190 mph
MPG
19 mpg
Used
$91,000-$171,000
- + MHEV efficiency
- + 4.0 TFSI biturbo V8 still
- − Heavy
- − Premium pricing
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
2002-2004 · C5
- 4.2 biturbo turbo seal failures
- DRC suspension wear
- 5AT mechatronic
2008-2010 · C6
- 5.0 V10 service costs
- DRC suspension wear
- Carbon build-up
2013-2018 · C7
- 4.0 TFSI carbon build-up
- 7DCT mechatronic
- COD stutter
2019-Present · C8
- MHEV 48V faults
- Carbon build-up
- MMI freezes pre-2022
- Air suspension wear
Rivals
Mercedes-AMG E63 Estate · BMW M5 Touring · Audi RS4 · Porsche Panamera Turbo