New RS 6 Plus Features Highest Top-Speed at 281.75 KM/H
When is enough, enough? When it comes to horsepower it seems all bets are off as to which automaker will one-up the next from month to month.
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| Audi is apparently a firm believer in the phrase, "You can never have enough of a good thing." (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press) |
Before the RS 6 takes a temporary hiatus, the result of being updated to all-new 2005 A6 standards, the Ingolstadt engineers are preparing to send it off with one big final bang, and what a bang it is.
Audi's RS 6 is one of the most potent in the field, out-powering last year's BMW M5 and Jaguar S-Type R with 450 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. Only the sensational Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG delivers more power and torque, reason enough for Audi to up the ante in its final incantation.
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| Audi's final 15 RS 6 models in the current-generation design will pave the way for the next RS 6, featuring the brand's controversial new grille. (Photo: Volkswagen Canada) |
Called the RS 6 Plus, Audi has reworked the 4.2-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine to increase output by 29 horsepower to 479, marginally inching out Benz's E55 by just two horsepower. Torque remains constant at a more-than-ample 415 lb-ft.
But there's another important modification made to the RS 6 Plus, it's faster than any other super sedan on the market - until the 500+ horsepower V10-powered M5 comes along at least. The electronic speed limiter has been raised to 281.75 km/h (175 mph), going well above and beyond the magical 250 km/h (155 mph) limit.
To go along with the more powerful motor is a reduction in ride height of 10 mm (0.4 inches), plus the addition of firmer dampers.
The final 15 weeks of current-generation RS 6 production will be dedicated to building Plus models. Prices and sales numbers have yet to be disclosed, but Audi hopes that they will go as quickly from the showroom floor as they will on the autobahn, and for top-dollar. With the autobahn in mind, an Audi official stated that there is "no word of the Plus edition" for the Canadian market. It makes sense, however, that the small RS 6 Plus production run means it will probably not be available in North America.