Even hotter Audi RS 6 spied with styling and aero changes

We’ve spotted an extreme new version of the Audi RS 6 testing at the Nurburgring, packing fresh styling additions that will turn up the volume on the iconic estate car. This comes only weeks after Audi Sport boss Dr Sebastian Grams confirmed to Auto Express that his team plans to take the current generation of pure-combustion RS models to a new extreme as a final flourish, promising great things for these last-of-the-line icons. 

Key differences on this prototype include what will most likely be a slightly reprofiled front bumper that integrates a more substantial front splitter. While the final shape will probably be quite different to the one seen on this specific test car’s heavily cladded lower bumper, it will form part of a larger aero package Audi Sport looks to be introducing. 

This will include a new front wing that seems to feature a flared section just by the front door similar to that seen on the RS 3. Combined with the already extremely pumped wheel arches, this should give the upgraded RS 6 an even more imposing presence on the road – a department where the standard RS 6 is hardly lacking. 

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The rear has also been given a tweak with fitment of a larger rear spoiler and new rear bumper distinguishable by its new horizontally-mounted reflectors that replace the previous vertical units. Similar performance-derived upgrades are expected inside, too, potentially utilising the more sculpted bucket seats, introduced in the German-market RS 4 Competition models, as well as extended use of Alcantara and carbon fibre. 

What’s hiding under the skin, however, is where the bigger changes lie. The RS 6 was only recently revealed in its new Performance specification, gaining a few extra horsepower to take the twin-turbocharged V8’s figure up 28bhp to 621bhp. There were also a bunch of other small tweaks surrounding the gearbox mapping and exhaust, plus the optional fitment of a new lighter set of forged 22-inch wheels. 

These are expected to be the new baseline on which this even hotter RS 6 will build. As it stands, RS 6 Performance models are available with one of two suspension systems – air-springs or a set of hydraulically cross-linked dampers and steel coils, or DRC in Audi speak. It’s the latter system we expect to be fitted here, but there is a potential for it to be upgraded one step further to something similar to that used in the smaller RS 4 Competition which adds manually adjustable coilovers to the package. 

The prototype in these images features the same 22-inch forged wheel design as seen on the RS 6 Performance, and also looks to be housing the colossal 420mm carbon ceramic brakes behind and their 10-piston calipers. 

Expect a few more horsepower from the engine, too, as this unit is now being stretched right up to nearly 700bhp in the Lamborghini Urus Performante. The torque will probably be capped at 800Nm due to the eight-speed auto, but with a now-or-never attitude to this final generation of models, we could yet see Audi extract some extraordinary figures. 

It looks like we won’t have to wait long to see what Audi Sport has in store for the new RS 6 version, but whatever form it takes, expect some mighty numbers in terms of performance, pace and price when the car is revealed in the coming months. 

Now read our full in-depth review of the Audi RS 6 Avant...