Audi RS6 – Which of the Four Generations Is the Best?
This lucky group was able to test each of the four Audi RS6 generations side by side, and their impressions are certainly interesting.
Among its many legendary models, the Audi RS6 has long been a favorite among enthusiasts, and for good reason. After all, we all love a fast wagon, and many have argued that such a thing is the perfect overall vehicle. This notion makes sense given the fact that performance-focused wagons are both fun to drive and incredibly practical, in a way that many would argue a crossover or SUV simply can’t match. In that sense, the Audi RS6 is one of the very best hot wagons out there, and that’s precisely what motivated the folks behind The Intercooler YouTube channel to conduct a comparison between all four generations recently to determine which is the very best.
It all started with the C5 generation, which was powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.2-liter V8 cranking out 450 horsepower – or, in the case of this extra-hot variant, 480 horsepower. When it debuted, critics weren’t exactly fans of its “wooden steering” and brittle ride,” and that’s also the case with this particular review. The car has a “lifeless chassis” with “numb steering” and a lack of balance according to our host, though it is at least quick in a straight line – but it’s still the slowest of this elite group.
As for the C6 Audi RS6, it ditched the V8 in favor of a twin-turbo V10 making 580 horsepower, sending power to the wheels via a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system. It also handles “a lot better” than the C5, according to our host, though it’s still underpinned by what they call a flawed chassis. It’s more agile and responsive, and the steering is far better, along with the ride quality, too. As for the V10, it’s plenty capable, and makes this saloon quite fun to drive.
However, the V10 was ditched for the C7 Audi RS6, which utilizes a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 with less in terms of output – 560 horsepower. Our host feels like it’s the best looking of the four, however, and in this case, we’re looking at a later variant churning out 605 horsepower. He also notes that it was an improvement on the C6 in every way, from cornering ability to ride quality, regardless.
Then we have the newest Audi RS6 of the lot – the C8 – which in this case is the Performance model with 630 horsepower coming from its twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8. For starters, our host calls it “violently quick,” with a response gearbox and a capable yet cushy ride coming from its air suspension in this case. Our host ultimately says that he’s “blown away” by how responsive the car is, in fact, which is a testament to progress.
After watching all of this, it becomes abundantly clear that the team prefers the newer cars, and they declare both the C7 and C8 as the best Audi RS6 generations, as one might expect. The duo call them “simply better cars” when compared to the older pair, and in this case, misty-eyed nostalgia simply can’t beat out what we like to call progress.
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