training trip for new RS6...

[drybeer]

Am about to board the plane.

Should see/ possibly drive RS7 also, will let you know my thoughts!

[doodlebug]

Any news on your demo cars?

[drybeer]

Not as yet. Will finalise a spec on my return. Thought was wiser to see some colours and options before putting pen to paper!

[bam_bam]

Not as yet. Will finalise a spec on my return. Thought was wiser to see some colours and options before putting pen to paper!

Air-ride?

[andre3k]

Not as yet. Will finalise a spec on my return. Thought was wiser to see some colours and options before putting pen to paper!

Air-ride?

+1

Your thoughts on Air Ride vs DRC. Also, your take on the Dynamic Steering pls

[GLM]

would be great if you can get some pics of the C7 in either prism silver or nardo grey and upload them.

the audi config is rubbish at giving a decent look of the car in some colours.

[drybeer]

Hi all.

Just back home to Dumfries.

So - initial thoughts are:- What a car! The looks (it really is an imposing looking machine, particularly in the matt paint), the interior feel, the engine - Oh the engine, the dash displays.

The engine and gearbox are just so tractible. The transmission response is very fast, the changes rapid, while when just bumbling around it does luxury like an A8. And the torque and power build up would leave no one disappointed.

Suspension - I really didn't get long enough in the car to compare different suspension variants. We drove cars on DRC (which Audi quite rightly insist is the sportiest option, and is a unique selling point for their brand).

My personal thoughts were that I wanted more time in one of each on average roads to gauge the ride... I'm erring towards the standard air suspension as my current allroad has it, and in dynamic mode it's excellent. HOWEVER - and it's a big however - is the Dynamic pack and Dynamic plus packs... I'd want the Dynamic plus pack - and you'd REALLY want the DRC with that top speed increase etc.

On the subject of suspension - with this car being lighter (and not only lighter but lighter where it matters - the front) you can really feel how much better balanced the quattro system is and the quattro sports differential working. The car is agile and the rear is more mobile than before even on a dry track. This makes the car feel sharper and although it's still the thick end of 2 tonnes once you remember to make your corner entry speed realistic it's quite steerable on the throttle.

Steering:- Audi's recommendation for us was to try the car in comfort for the suspension AND the steering which surprised me... Going by my experiences in the RS4 I would say you need to get a drive in a car with this set up for yourself (for example an RS4 or RS5) as I like the dynamic steering - it gives you a choice of how to set the car up.

Colours - I'll get some pics up - however the only colours we saw were Misano Red (v nice), Panther Black (suits it especially with the matt al'y styling) and the Matt Daytona Grey - which is simply stunning - a big wow factor.

Quality of build and attention to detail on the whole car is superb. The "quattro" script in the front grill (comes only with either the carbon or matt al'y styling pack) looks amazing, even the dimpled finish inside the exhaust tailpipes is a detail touch that you'll love when you see it.

In fact the whole damn thing is just plain excellent. I know you'd expect me to say that - but it is!

[doodlebug]

Damn you. I was hoping you would say it was so-so.

A question for you, given the pricing, which in my view is bordering on ridiculous, is it worth the 50% premium over the RS4?

Oh, and, any idea on timeline for first UK demo cars?

[drybeer]

Damn you. I was hoping you would say it was so-so.

A question for you, given the pricing, which in my view is bordering on ridiculous, is it worth the 50% premium over the RS4?

Oh, and, any idea on timeline for first UK demo cars?

When you compare the faintly ridiculous ride quality in the RS4, and the fact that this RS6 does monster 0 - 62 in 3.9 secs... Yes. But I admit it's a particularly wealthy customer who's going to consider this over an A6 Avant or allroad 3.0TDi at almost half the price. "Value for money" seems to matter a lot less at this high performance end of the market. Look at the Veyron price! Crazy some would say... But that's what car guys are like when they convince themselves of the "man maths"!

[doodlebug]

I am really trying to make the man maths work, but I am not sure I can. At 107k, which is where my spec landed, I am struggling. I think I'd rather do another 30k and spank my wad on an V10 plus R8. More likely outcome is an RS4, which fully loaded is no more than 70k.

It seems, IMO, as though Audi have failed to learn from their last RS6 pricing debacle.

[drybeer]

I am really trying to make the man maths work, but I am not sure I can. At 107k, which is where my spec landed, I am struggling. I think I'd rather do another 30k and spank my wad on an V10 plus R8. More likely outcome is an RS4, which fully loaded is no more than 70k.

It seems, IMO, as though Audi have failed to learn from their last RS6 pricing debacle.

I do see your point - it's just that the RS6 can do so much more flexibility of tasks that an R8, so I don't feel customers will truly view them as competitors. Indeed I was driving a V10 plus also - and in particular the new S-tronic transmission is a real improvement. But I can't use it for all my everyday tasks... So - for me it would be an RS4 or RS6.

RS4 - when I've had a B5 and B6 I felt wanting for more space - particularly in the boot. Hence why I think a 6 is my choice. It's all academic - I can't afford a new RS4 or RS6! Hence company allroad!

[doodlebug]

Agreed re R8 vs RS6, you could have an R8 and a load lugger for little more, relatively speaking.

Where's that man calc.....

[Robbo66]

The man maths is simple. If you are wealthy enough to dump at least £30k in the first year and choose possibly the dullest , uneconomical, overpriced, heavy, point and squirt car on earth between £80 - £110 k, buy the RS6.
Had 2, the C5 and C7....never again.

[doodlebug]

That'd be very bad man maths....that's more like actual sane logic. Can't be having any of that around here.....spec one and I'll reckon you'll lose more than 30k in a year.

[drybeer]

Fixed.

The man maths is simple. If you are wealthy enough to dump at least £30k in the first year and choose possibly the most exciting, most versatile, all weather, point and squirt car on earth between £75 - £140 k, buy the RS6.
Had 2, the C5 and C6....never again.

We've all got opinions - haven't yet met anyone who wouldn't have another RS6 in a flash!

PS - this one is 40% better on economy than the C6 on the combined figure - that's quite some margin of improvement (NB - possible if you drive like you've been castrated).