Audi’s Evolution in Sportiness: A Journey from Audi S6 plus to RS 6 Avant performance and RS 7 Sportback performance

Audi has always held a reverence for sportiness in its DNA, a trait that has defined its foray into the high-performance automobile segment. This journey of “peak sportiness,” as the company dubs it, started with the Audi S6 plus and evolved through the years to the RS 6 Avant performance and RS 7 Sportback performance models we know today.

The Genesis: The Audi S6 plus

In the mid-'90s, quattro GmbH, now rebranded as Audi Sport GmbH, took upon itself to augment the already commendable Audi S6. The result was the Audi S6 plus. Using the Audi S6 V8 as a base, the company enhanced its 4.2-liter V8 engine to produce 326 PS, overshadowing the Audi Avant RS2. In addition to engine upgrades, the car saw modifications like larger front brakes, a six-speed transmission, a stiffer suspension, and a revamped, predominantly black interior. During its limited availability, the company produced 855 Avant and 97 Sedans of the S6 plus.

The Evolution: The RS Models

Following the success of the S6 plus, Audi conceptualized the RS models, with the RS4 Avant (B5) from 1999 being its first. This car, a brainchild of a collaboration between Audi and Cosworth, boasted a widened body and an engine output of 381 PS. Such was its popularity that instead of the anticipated 3,000 units, the company sold over 6,000 RS4 Avant models.

The RS series continued to evolve, with the RS 6 standing out as a flagship based on the C5-generation A6. Special mention goes to the RS 6 Avant plus, which held the title of the fastest sports wagon of its time, with a maximum speed of 280 km/h.

The Modern Era: From “plus” to “performance”

While the term “plus” was a marker of Audi's high-performance variants, by the C7 generation, the term transitioned to “performance”. This saw the birth of the Audi RS 6 Avant and RS 7 Sportback performance in 2016. These models could go from 0 to 100 km/h in a mere 3.7 seconds.

The latest in this lineage, the RS 6 Avant performance and RS 7 Sportback performance from the C8 generation, continue to uphold Audi's long-standing traditions. They boast of a powerful 4.0-liter V8 biturbo TFSI engine with an impressive output of 630 PS.

Looking Ahead: Electrifying the Audi DNA

Audi is not a brand that rests on its laurels. Looking ahead, Steffen Bamberger, the Head of Technical Development at Audi Sport GmbH, assures that the essence of Audi, its DNA, will carry forward into the electrified future. The electrified RS models will be distinctive, with a unique exterior and interior design, and dynamics, all of which are foundational to Audi's brand identity.

Bamberger is optimistic about the future, emphasizing that the transition to electric will not compromise the fun of driving. He states, “We will try to get as much as possible out of our electric cars to transport the DNA of the RS models into the electric future.”

In essence, the journey of Audi from the S6 plus to its modern RS models is a testament to the brand’s commitment to innovation, sportiness, and evolving with the times, while still staying true to its roots. As the world shifts to sustainable mobility, Audi's pledge to carry forward its sporty DNA into the electric future is both commendable and exciting for car enthusiasts worldwide.