Tag: 2021 Audi RS6 Avant

Audi RS6 Avant Takes on BMW M4 and Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quad

Audi RS 6 Avant

While not competitors in the traditional sense, watching these three European performance machines face off is a blast.

Other than offering top-notch performance, the Audi RS6 Avant, Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, and BMW M4 don’t really have a whole lot in common. That’s made clear at the very beginning of this latest video from carwow, where affable presenter Mat Watson explains that this peculiar hat trick of vehicles was assembled because they represent his favorite offering in their respective categories. And I have to say, it’s hard to argue with the man’s taste — all these machines rip.

Now, while I’m still waiting for Ingolstadt’s latest hot rod wagon to hit my local press fleet, I have driven the Alfa and the BMW. The best description I have of the Stelvio Quad is that it feels like a very practical crossover that’s been thoroughly and enthusiastically possessed by Satan. And performance aside? It has the best sounding engine of the assembled hardware, hands down. The BMW is an absolute hoot to pilot as well — and its limits are far beyond the reach of most any hobbyist. I don’t even mind the new front fascia that’s caused so much commotion.

So given that all I know about the RS6 is what I’ve heard from friends and seen on the web, it was beyond impressive to see just how well it performed when it was time for the rubber to meet the road. Because even given the near-flawless launch Watson delivered with the Alfa, the Audi still managed to best the Italian Stallion from a dig. What was really surprising was just how far behind the representative of the Motoren Werke was until it started gathering steam. Sure, it makes up a lot of space toward the end — but not enough to do any better than third.

That said, the coolest thing about this video is how it illustrates just how capable modern performance vehicles are, regardless of whether they’re coupes, wagons, or even crossovers. Cool as they might look and sound, virtually all the supercars of yesteryear would have gotten their butts handed to them if they’d lined up on the runway here, even though they’re considerably less reliable and comfortable than any one of these choices. What a time to be alive…

Photos: YouTube

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Audi RS6 Avant With Capristo Exhaust: Hot or Not?

Audi RS6 Avant

The custom exhaust of this wicked Audi RS6 Avant takes the snap, crackle, and pop all the way to 11!

While it’s a wagon, or an estate if you want to be all European and fancy, the Audi RS6 Avant is anything but a sleeper. Even in factory form, this baby looks more aggressive than a grocery getter has any right to be, and you’d have to be illiterate in all things automotive not to suspect something powerful lurks under the hood. Straight from the factory however, it doesn’t sound terribly beastly, especially in the old country, where the engine is muffled by a mandatory OPF exhaust particulate filter.

Of course, the aftermarket has plenty of solutions to wake up Ingolstadt’s potent twin-turbo 4.0-liter, and this system from Capristo Exhaust sounds positively brutal — even if it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. It ditches the OPF filter, and apparently, and semblance of baffling to produce a noise that’s positively demonic, as you’ll discover as soon as you hit play. According to Automotive Mike, this machine is producing a whopping 830 horsepower, so it’s not a case of bark being worse than its bite, either.

The 239 horsepower increase isn’t the most I’ve seen on a new RS6, but it’s close, and along with the Stage 2 tune and Milltek Downpipes, this baby is rocking a trick set of bronze Ferrada wheels. While I’m generally not a fan of aftermarket wheels, I think these look spectacular, and absolutely love how the blue-painted brake calipers look behind them. While it’s hard to go wrong with red ones, this subtle difference in color choice really makes them pop. It probably doesn’t hurt that this lovely shade of blue is one of my all-time favorite colors.

Now, I’m of two minds on this exhaust. On the one hand, it’s way, way, too loud for me. Maybe if I lived in the middle of nowhere, I’d be comfortable with it, but driving this in a city like Seattle is going to be pretty obnoxious. And it would make your neighbors totally hate you. But I happen to love the complete riot of snaps, crackles, and pops that accompany the overrun here. Even if I know that it’s all electronic trickery and completely unnecessary, it still makes me giggle like a four-year old. That said, watch the video and let me know what you think. Is this the kind of treatment you’d consider for your ride? Why or why not?

Photos: YouTube

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