2009 Audi RS6 Sedan Arrives In Australian Showrooms

Audi has today announced that the awe-inspiring RS6 sedan is now available from Audi dealers nationwide, with the supercar-shaming four-door available from $263,500 AUD.

Audi's head-kicking performance flagship has already been available here since last October in wagon guise as the RS6 Avant, but now there's an option for buyers who prefer a boot over a tailgate.

Despite being $8400 cheaper than the wagon, the RS6 sedan is mechanically identical to the Avant. That means you get the same twin-turbocharged dry-sumped 5.0 litre V10 that churns out a huge 426kW (571hp) of power and a collossal 650Nm (479lb-ft) of torque.

You also get the same quattro all-wheel-drive system and the same six-speed tiptronic auto as the Avant, which, in case you were interested, will swap cogs in 0.1 seconds at the tap of a steering wheel-mounted paddle.

The whole mechanical ensemble will propel the big sedan to 100 in just 4.5 seconds (0.1s faster than the Avant) while top speed is electronically-limited to 250km/h.

All-alloy suspension links and Audi's trick Dynamic Ride Control damper system keep body movement in check, while super-wide 275/30 tyres on 20-inch alloy wheels glue the RS6 to the tarmac.

Going too fast? 390mm discs with six-piston calipers on the front and 365mm discs with single-piston calipers on the rear will haul you back to saner speeds in a jiffy.

If those aren't big enough for you, Audi will fit your RS6 with a 420mm/356mm set of super-lightweight carbon-ceramic discs for 'just' $20,867. Only the hardcore need apply.

Silk Nappa leather seats (power adjustable of course) are standard, while body-hugging bucket seats for the front passengers are also available as a $7851 option. The interior also features Audi's MMI interface with TV receiver and sat-nav, dual-zone climate control, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, Bose surround sound system and a sunroof as standard.

Fuel consumption is being 13.9 l/100km (100ml less than the Avant) and the car will emit 331 grams of co2 per kilometre. ESP, ABS and traction control help keep the RS6 out of the weeds, and with all that power under the bonnet we'd advise they all stay activated.

The 2009 Audi RS6 Sedan is now available from Audi dealers across the country, with deliveries set to commence this month. Get one while they're hot!

Audi's Lightning-Fast RS 6 Sedan Makes its Australian Debut

* Twin turbo V10 producing 426 kW and 650 Nm of torque

* Racing-inspired direct injection and dry-sump lubrication

* A wealth of high-tech for superior performance

Audi's latest addition to the RS 6 family has arrived. The RS 6 Sedan joins its Avant stable-mate priced at $263,500.

Powered by a twin-turbo V10 pumping out 426 kW of power and an awesome 650 Nm of torque, the new Audi RS 6 sedan is a car without equal. With the performance of a super car, it offers the every day usability of a large family sedan.

The engine of the new Audi RS 6 is the heart of the car. The 4,991 cc V10 combines a number of Audi's race-winning technologies  FSI direct injection, dry-sump lubrication and two turbochargers.

With up to 1.6 bar of boost pressure, these technologies provide smooth, powerful thrust and an incomparable power band. Peak torque of 650 Nm is available across almost the entire rev range, from 1,500 to 6,250 rpm. Peak power of 426 kW is generated between 6,250 rpm and the maximum figure of 6,700 rpm.

With a power-to-weight ratio of 3.4 kilograms per hp, the Audi RS 6 performs like a super car, albeit a highly practical one. It sprints to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds (0.1 second faster than the Avant) on its way to a top speed electronically-limited to 250 km/h. Throttle response from the V10 is spontaneous and smooth while accelerating.

The engine's power flows through the six-speed tiptronic transmission, one of a new generation from Audi. Its reaction time has been reduced to one tenth of a second, and the short shift time has been halved compared to units used in other models. The driver can also manually change gears either using the shift lever or the paddles on the steering wheel.

The tiptronic transmission transfers the power to an extremely sporty, rear-weighted quattro drive train.

Precision high-tech suspension

The technology bundled into the suspension of the Audi RS 6 guarantees amazing performance. The front axle features four lightweight aluminium control arms per wheel, whose elastokinematics have been designed for particularly sporty performance. The characteristics of the speed-dependent servotronic power steering were retuned and the steering gear ratio is a direct 12.5:1. The rear suspension kinematics have also been modified.

The development engineers have deployed an exclusive damping technology called Dynamic Ride Control. DRC reduces pitch and roll using mechanical means. Hydraulic lines and valves connect diagonally-opposed pairs of shock absorbers. When cornering, the flow of fluid to the damper of the compressing outside front wheel increases, providing firmer support and reducing roll. When combined with the standard fit sports suspension plus, DRC offers a choice of three selectable damper settings  sport, dynamic and comfort  which can be activated via the MMI.

The electronic stabilisation system ESP offers maximum driving fun with uncompromised safety. Its relatively high activation threshold encourages a dynamic driving style. It offers a Sport mode and can also be entirely deactivated.

The new Audi RS 6 rides on 20-inch alloy wheels shod with 275/35 tyres. Up front, six-piston fixed aluminium calipers  painted black and decorated with RS badges  clamp down on 390 millimetre brake disks. The rear brake disks measure 365 millimetres in diameter. The rear axle features single-piston floating brake calipers. The floating steel disks feature large cooling ducts and axial perforations for enhanced performance and less weight.

Available as an option is a ceramic brake system. The 420 (front) and 356 (rear) millimeter disks weigh a total of 12.2 kilograms less than the steel disks. The calipers  up front with eight pistons  are painted anthracite and labeled "Audi ceramic". The ceramic brake system is priced at $20,867.

The body of the 4.93 metre RS 6 sedan also sports a number of distinctive features that immediately identify it as a dynamic top-of-the-line model.

These include the single-frame grille, the large air intakes, the headlights featuring Xenon plus, adaptive lights and RS 6-specific LED daytime running lights, the flared fenders and deep side skirts, the rear diffuser, the spoiler integrated into the trunk lid and the two large oval exhaust pipes.

The finest of materials and uncompromised quality

Like all Audi RS models developed and built by quattro GmbH in co-operation with AUDI AG, the RS 6 sedan is the embodiment of power, elegance, exclusivity and perfection. The interior is adorned with the finest of materials such as carbon fibre, aluminium, piano lacquer, and Alcantara leather, all reflecting the Audi tradition of quality craftsmanship.

The deeply sculptured sports seats provide optimal support and firm hold. The power-adjustable seats are upholstered in Silk Nappa leather, with leather / Alcantara and Valcona leather available as options. Bucket seats with an even more sporty emphasis are also offered for both driver and front passenger.

Standard equipment for Australian-specification cars includes MMI with a colour monitor and TV reception (analog and digital), advanced key entry, electric glass sunroof, satellite navigation, dual-zone deluxe automatic air conditioning plus, an acoustic parking assistant at front and rear, a 3-spoke multi-function RS leather sports steering wheel with flat-bottomed rim, and a Bose surround sound system. A boost pressure indicator for the two turbochargers in the driver information system rounds out the instrumentation.

Customer deliveries of the new Audi RS 6 sedan commence this month.