Why the RS6 is a Mythic Hero Amongst Family Cars

1. Meet the RS6, Audi's secret weapon

As an automaker, Audi have distinguished themselves time and again for some of the finest engineering available on the mass-market. Of course, if you're an Audi owner, you probably already know this. While the Audi A4 and TT quattro cars have soaked up a lot of the success and glory associated with such a prestigious brand, there's a lot to be said as well for the RS6. Short for "Rally Sport," this Audi is part of the brand's Avant family car line. It may not be as much of a financial titan as others, but anytime the RS6 is mentioned, it seems to be with a certain kind of reverence usually reserved for the classics.

There are obviously questions to come from that. What is it, then, that makes the RS6 so special? More importantly, how is it possible that you haven't heard of it already?

>>Join the conversation about the versatile RS6 right here in AudiWorld.

2. A rare combination of characteristics

Audi customers tend to be city folk with families, and while the RS6 wouldn't look out of place in a school parking lot, there's a lot more going on under the hood than meets the eye. It's a soccer practice car with the inner workings of a sports car -- either that, or a sports car disguised for domestic bliss. Whichever the case, it's a strange and rare combination, and clearly it struck a nerve with customers. Sports cars, after all, represent a certain kind of impractical dream to the average suburban customer. Having the power and style of a sports car with the domestic pragmatism means an RS6 owner could have the best parts of both worlds.

>>Join the conversation about the versatile RS6 right here in AudiWorld.

3. The RS6's availability has been surprisingly limited

If you've never heard a lot about the Audi RS6 in the past, there's a good reason for it: it's been incredibly limited for the North American market. Where you might see other Audi cars pretty frequently in upscale parts of your city, the RS6 was only available in North America for its 2003 model year. Even then, the most that were ever available in the United States was around the ballpark of 1200. While European customers have seen three generations of the RS6 to date since its 2002 inception, American owners could claim to have something of a rarity on their hands. That's not something you often see with a so-called family car.

>>Join the conversation about the versatile RS6 right here in AudiWorld.

4. It's more powerful than you think

In true sports car tradition, a lot has been invested in the performance of the Audi RS6. The impressive handling and feel of the car are paired with some righteously impressive horsepower and torque. Specifically, this beautiful beast features a 4.2 L V8 engine that produces 450hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. Although long-term reviews of the RS6 in certain years have had complaints with regards to the upkeep and tricky maintenance, there's not a soul that doesn't swear by the RS6 with their very first time behind the wheel. The RS6 also comes with the option of the dynamic pack which upgrades the car's top speed and suspension among other things.

>>Join the conversation about the versatile RS6 right here in AudiWorld.

5. The RS6 isn't cheap

Bear in mind that a RS6 is not for the thrifty buyer. No Audi car is, after all, but the RS6 can be priced at upwards of $85,000 with the dynamic pack included. For a car half-imagined for domestic use in the suburbs, that's a pretty expensive pill to swallow. From the reviews of those who have had a chance to drive it, however, the expense is well worth it -- provided, of course, that it sates the specific niche you're looking for. It may be cheaper in many cases to buy an actual sports car, but the sheer versatility and all-around appeal mean that no aspect of your life will go uncovered. To be sure, it's one of the only cars around you could drop the kids off at school before heading to a street race without looking out of place at either.

>>Join the conversation about the versatile RS6 right here in AudiWorld.

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