While quite a few changes have been made, the RS 6 isn't the kind of car that attracts a great deal of attention. This will be good or bad depending on your need for external recognition. Personally, I liked its "cloaked" visage, with only those truly in the know paying
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| The RS 6 flies under the radar in terms of styling, with only die hard car enthusiasts acknowledging it, mouths agape and fingers pointing. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press) |
While I didn't see the faces of bystanders as the car shot forward from the odd stoplight that tempted my maturity level, my guess is they were equally wowed. The car is ridiculously fast, at 4.7 seconds to 100 km/h it feels like getting punched in the back of the head with a silk boxing glove.
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| The RS 6 is ridiculously fast, at 4.7 seconds to 100 km/h and topping out at a rev limited 250 km/h (155 mph). (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press) |
Why silk? It shifts so smoothly on its way up to speed there's no slap in the back like in other top-tier sports sedans, but by some magical incarnation the car manages the same rapid rate of speed. Stand on the accelerator without letting off and it will eventually top out at a rev limited 250 km/h (155 mph).
But quite a few cars can accelerate quickly. What the RS 6 offers is all the speed with at least as much control, thanks to a wonderfully sorted suspension system and quattro all-wheel drive. On my way up the circuitous mountain roadway toward my local ski resort, fortunately deserted at the time, the car's power delivery from a rolling start was so immediate chills went up and down my spine. The adrenaline rush was so intoxicating I had one of those hysterical moments when all I could do was giggle out loud in silly glee. The fact that the road surface was mixed wet and dry flanked by snow banks didn't give me concern, as traction was not an issue.