Audi’s Next RS 6 Avant Super Wagon May Be Called the ‘RS6 GT’

Spy photographers recently captured the RS6 GT, Audi’s most powerful production wagon yet, which combines the current RS 6 with the GTO Concept!

The sound of a brand-new Audi super-saloon’s V8 ripping across the countryside may soon be a thing of the past. Thanks to Audi’s goal of an all-electric lineup by 2026, we’re witnessing the demise of some incredibly iconic vehicles and engines like the R8. But like the R8, the RS 6 isn’t going down without a fight. In the current RS 6 Avant Performance, the 4.0L twin-turbo V8 produces 621 BHP and 627 lb/ft torque, placing the RS 6 among the fastest estate cars of all time. And from what we can see, it’s about to get even faster.

As reported by Motor1 and CarBuzz, spy photographers recently captured a camo-wrapped Audi wagon tearing down some snowy German backroads. At a glance, the prototype appeared to be a simple facelift of the current RS 6. But those sites think there may be more to this facelift than meets the eye. Remember the GTO Concept (pictured below) that marked 40 years of quattro? The wagon with over 700 horsepower wearing Audi heritage colors, specifically. Well, the rumor mill seems to think that Audi took this idea and ran with it, dreaming up what the press has dubbed the “RS6 GT.” A name that isn’t without precedence.

More than Just a New Face

The current-gen RS 6 started production in 2020, so it’s about time for a mid-cycle facelift. And that may well be all that we see here in these spy images. However, let’s also take a look at the hard facts, specifically about the powertrain. The TFSI powering the RS 6 also equips the Lamborghini Urus, its most powerful configuration. In the hyper-crossover, it produces upwards of 641 horsepower, though any avid tuner knows that Audi’s more than capable of squeezing more power without sacrificing reliability. Motor1 speculates that Audi could very well “massage the twin turbo V8 engine to extract more.” Which, coupled with the lower center-of-gravity and lighter platform, leaves us salivating at the potential figures. However, this all still remains speculation. But it makes sense for Audi to send off its finest wagon with a proper swan song.

Next, let’s move to what we you can see on Motor1 (sorry we aren’t able to show you licensed spy photos here).

Starting from the front, there appears to be a brand-new front splitter featuring additional cooling vents and an extended front lip. Plus, the additional intake areas don’t seem to intrude on the normal lines of the front grille. Similarly, the side skirts appear lengthened slightly and the winter tires fit more snugly in the wheel wells. All of which indicate a lower stance than the current RS 6, according to spy photographers.

Moving to the rear, it’s difficult to see but the rear bumper’s changed significantly in aesthetics and profile. Of course, it maintains the distinctive RS oval exhausts. However, it features a raised bumper lip, accommodating horizontal reflectors, and a new rear diffuser. Further up, we have a rear wing that’s a near carbon-copy of the GTO concept. Motor Authority notes that GT models typically see lighter body panels, light alloy wheels, and carbon ceramic brakes. So if the rumors are true and this is an RS 6 GT, we should anticipate similar upgrades.

The Final RS 6?

Modern trends, at least in the US, led to the sharp decline of wagons in favor of SUVs and crossovers. A trend that deeply affected Audi’s sales in US markets. Sales figures state that Audi failed to sell 10,000 A6s per year since 2021, a low point not seen since 2009. That, plus the full electrification of Audi’s lineup by 2026, points to this RS 6 being among the last hyper-wagons Audi’s likely to produce unless things turn around. Certainly, the last to be equipped with that iconic V8. However, when Audi unveiled the GTO concept, it met with widespread publicity and generated huge positive feedback. That, plus we’ve seen a resurgence of estate cars among enthusiasts in general.

So is it really the end of an era for Audi? Well, in terms of the sound, we unfortunately concede that yes, it is. However, if this rumored RS6 GT is anything to go by, Audi’s got at least one finger on the pulse of the enthusiast community. And in this day and age, that’s a very reassuring notion from such a beloved marque.

Click HERE to join the AudiWorld forums!

M.C. Cuccio

I've been an automotive aficionado since I had baby teeth. My path was set when I first leaned on my grandfather's classic Porsche as I learned how to walk. One of my first memories was my mother sitting me behind the wheel of her Pontiac and talking me through the instrumentation and controls. Even though I was a mere three or four years old, I was instantly sold, and filled notebooks with technical drawings, sketches, and collections of manuals of all sorts of cars. I've actively tracked developments in automotive and motorsport technology for well over 20 years, and pride myself on being intimately familiar with the functions and history of a wide range of vehicles.

My primary goal as a writer and enthusiast is to equally learn and share what I've learned in a constructive and interesting way. I maintain connections with people from around the world and can read technical manuals in Italian, Japanese, and Spanish, granting me access to a wide array of resources. My primary focuses are deep-dives into historical topics, motorsport discussion, and learning about the complex mechanical elements of such vehicles. As such, my research is never perfect; as anyone into cars will attest, the more you learn about cars, the more you realize how little you actually know. Therefore, I always welcome fresh knowledge and corrections to help me better my work in the future.

Twitter