It may still be a dream, but an incredible rendering of an RS 8 Avant was recently revealed on the hycade YouTube channel. Our jaws have still not closed. There is nothing wrong with the RS 6 Avant we have of course. But why not dream a little more? It is just a rendering, not an Audi concept so we are in full fantasy mode here. But the good part of that is that we have freedom to make this what we want in our own minds. So, what would an Audi RS 8 Avant really be like?
Yesterday, we posted some teaser pics of the long-rumored A6 Avant e-tron concept, and today, we got the full images. Safe to say, it’s a doozy. This is an absolutely stunning vision of a modern wagon, and — in my opinion — immediately makes the current RS6 Avant look dated. While the official press release calls the concept “production-oriented,” there’s no mention of whether an Avant e-tron will make it to the United States. Unfortunately, industry insiders seem united in their belief that an appearance on our shores is unlikely.
With that news out of the way, let’s dig into the specifics of this fabulous Four Ring wagon. First, the Avant e-tron concept is built on Audi’s PPE platform, which uses the space between the axles to hold the battery. This setup is beneficial because it keeps the center of gravity low, allows for scalability in regard to battery size, and also provides for different vehicle styles to be built on the same underlying architecture. The versatility of the PPE platform is a key part of Audi’s plan to rapidly increase production of fully-electric vehicles.
Power for the A6 Avant e-tron concept comes from a pair of electric motors, which means there will be 469 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque on tap. Even more exciting than the available thrust, however, is the speed with which the lovely longroof can charge. Thanks to the PPE platform’s 800-volt charging technology, the battery can suck up enough juice to travel 186 miles in just ten minutes, which Audi says is comparable to a standard fuel stop for a gas-powered car. Plus, going from a five percent charge to an 80 percent charge will take a scant 25 minutes.
According to Audi, the range is also impressive, as the A6 Avant e-tron concept is capable of traveling up to 435 miles on a single charge. And while I’m well aware of range anxiety — having experienced it will several of my recent press cars — that seems like plenty for anyone who isn’t running the Gumball 3000 or trying to break the Cannonball record. On the other hand, performance sounds just acceptable, as Ingolstadt says entry-level models will be able to hit 60 miles per hour in “under seven seconds.”
The caveat to that statement, however, is that high-performance versions will be significantly faster than that — and deliver times somewhere in the three-second range. Now, while I started this post will some bad news about how the Avant e-tron isn’t expected to make it to our shores, the hint of a weapons-grade version offers some hope to enthusiasts. Because just as we got the RS Avant, the hot rod version might actually make the trip across the Pond. Of course, when we’ll have a definitive answer about availability is anyone’s guess, but for now, enjoy the gorgeous pics of Audi’s latest killer concept!
Photos: Audi
When buying used cars, there are a couple of schools of thought when it comes to mileage. One is that it’s best to avoid high-mileage machines on general principal. The other is that a well-maintained high-mile example can be a screaming deal — and for the record, this the one I personally subscribe to. It’s also the reason my Los Angeles colleagues considered having me involuntarily committed. Because to some less-optimistic folks? Buying a late-1990s Jaguar XJ with over 100k on the clock screams lunacy.
That said, where you stand on the mileage question will likely determine just how attractive the 1990 Audi 200 Avant quattro I recently stumbled across on Facebook Marketplace is. Because along with attractive features like the turbocharged five-cylinder, a five speed manual, and Audi’s rally-tested quattro all-wheel drive system, this luxurious longroof has been around the block a few times. And when I say around the block a few times? I mean enough times to rack up 190,000 miles — which is most of the way to the moon.
Other than the mileage and basic specs, there’s precious little in the way of description in the listing. The seller simply says it’s fun, but that he doesn’t drive it enough, and — importantly — that he’s “just thinking of selling” the car. That lack of commitment leads me to believe that there’s probably not much wiggle room when it comes to the $4,000 asking price. So if you’re properly interested in this baby, I’d be prepared to lay down most, if not all, of the asking price. It’s still way, way, less than what you’d pay for a cream puff example.
In case you’re wondering, Montana does salt its roads. But aside from what looks to be surface rust in one of the photos, the undercarriage of this old Audi looks to be largely unscathed. From the pics, the interior seems to have weathered all the miles pretty well too, even if the liner of the sunroof is breaking free, and the leather looks a bit parched. So what do you think? Would you take a chance on this old Audi? Or does the does the potential cost of keeping this baby on the road give you pause? Hit me up and let me know!
Photos: Facebook Marketplace
Call it a wagon, an estate, or a longroof, it doesn’t matter. Because as Shakespeare wrote in Romeo and Juliet, “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” These practical beauties are the enthusiast equivalent of comfort food, and wow, does this 1991 Audi 200 Quattro Avant on Bring a Trailer hit the spot. I’m a connoisseur of wagons, and this handsome, distinctive body style is among my very favorites. In person, these machines have true presence, and I’m always thrilled to see one in the wild.
This black-over-tan example has 97k on the clock, and appears to have lived a charmed life. According to the listing, it’s just one of 149 which made it to our shores for the model year. But I don’t think you need to Google production numbers to determine that an Audi wagon of this vintage is a rare bird. Power comes from a turbocharged 2.2-liter inline-five which pipes power to all four corners courtesy Ingolstadt’s famous quattro system, the icing on the cake is here the five-speed manual transmission. That should elevate the driving experience considerably.
Overall, everything looks pretty tidy. The basket weave BBS wheels complete the exterior perfectly, and are wearing fresh Yokohama rubber. Even the factory tape deck is unmolested, which scores big points in my book. The current owner inherited the car from their father, and drove the car around 8,000 miles during their stewardship.
Over that time, a host of maintenance items, including a timing belt replacement, rear trailing arm bushings, headliner repair, air conditioning recharge, and window regulator were done, though some issues still need to be addressed. Most glaringly, that includes a sunroof which “will open but not close.”
With four days left to go, this lovely longroof has already crested the 10k mark, and I’m curious to see how high it will go, as I’ve always had a soft spot for these Audis. Largely, that’s due to my best buddy Jamie Hunsdale, who before becoming an audio engineer extraordinaire, used one of these to deliver bread for Seattle’s Essential Baking Company. At the time, the machine had about 240,000 miles on it, and he reported it ran like a top, and drove beautifully — even over the Emerald City’s often-unruly pavement.
Hunsdale also said that the cargo area was cavernous, and that they Audi’s sole problem, even at that elevated age, was somewhat endearing. That problem? The tape deck had a copy of Boston’s Greatest Hits stuck in it. Thanks to the magic of auto-reverse, that meant that along with the smell of fresh-baked bread, the sound of the chart-topping stadium rockers were along for the ride — every time. For your peace of mind, no such problems have been reported with this Avant. Hopefully, it’ll live as long as that old trooper.
Photos: YouTube
