2009 Audi RS 6 Sedan Australian debut

A few months ago, Audi made the unusual decision of launching its new RS 6 range with the Avant model here and overseas which quickly earned the title as the most potent family wagon on the market.

Today, the brand has finally released the RS 6 Sedan variant which stands unopposed even in the highly competitive four-door performance category, offering the power of a supercar and the everyday usability of a large family sedan.

Its relatively unassuming exterior does little to give away the epic powerhouse under the bonnet – considering an engine this powerful is usually found behind the driver – appearing to all but those in the know as just another Euro performance saloon.

The reality is an incredible twin-turbo 5.0-litre V10 engine which develops 426kW and 650Nm, resulting in a power-to-weight ratio of just 3.4 kilograms per hp and a zero to 100km/h time of just 4.5 seconds with an artificially restrained top speed of 250km/h.

The engine’s power is channeled through a six-speed tiptronic transmission, one of a new generation from Audi, which includes shift paddles on the steering wheel to manually change gears in half the time it takes the same transmission to swap cogs in other Audi models.

As a performance Audi, power is transferred from the rubber to the asphalt through a rear-weighted quattro drive train, promising sure-footed and exciting dynamics.

This has been coupled with a significantly upgraded suspension package with the front axle featuring four lightweight aluminium control arms per wheel, speed-dependent servotronic power steering and an exclusive damping technology called Dynamic Ride Control.

The DSC system reduces pitch and roll when cornering by boosting the fluid pressure in the appropriate shock absorbers, yet can remain subtle during everyday driving with three selectable damper settings – sport, dynamic and comfort – which can be activated via the MMI.

The electronic stabilisation system ESP has been recalibrated to deliver a relatively high activation threshold to offer maximum driving fun with uncompromised safety. A sport mode button can be used to deactivate the system entirely.

Up front, six-piston fixed aluminium calipers clamp down on 390 millimetre brake disks, with single-piston floating brake calipers and 365 millimetres disks at the rear, framed by 20-inch alloy wheels shod with 275/35 tyres.

Since it offers genuine supercar performance, buyers can also option a ceramic brake package with eight-piston calipers up front – weighing in at 12.2 kilograms less than the steel disks.

Preferring to whisper rather than shout, the exterior of the RS 6 features a single-frame grille, large air intakes, adaptive headlights featuring Xenon plus lights and RS 6-specific LED daytime running lights, flared fenders and deep side skirts, rear diffuser, a spoiler integrated into the trunk lid and two large oval exhaust pipes.

The new Audi RS 6 Sedan is available now in Australia, starting at $263,500.