Edmunds' "First Drive" Audi RS6 Review
02-02-2003, 08:50 PM
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Edmunds' "First Drive" Audi RS6 Review
OK, I'll admit from the outset that I'm biased against Audi products when it comes to the performance segment.
My biggest gripes are that 1) Audi's penchant for bland styling is essentially inappropriate in the sport market (who wants to pay $85,000 and drive a car that looks so much like a VW Passat?!), 2) interior styling in the Audi R and S cars is as bland as the exteriors, 3) since the public has little respect for Audi as a manufacturer of sports cars, depreciation and resale are the worst in this segment of the market.
I've copied the last half of Edmunds' review of the RS6 because I think, in essence, it supports my views of why the RS6 is a poor choice for those looking for a super sport sedan.
{ The rest is at:
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadt.....reviews..3.* }
*************************************************
We tested the RS6 on the same track as the S4 and it proved an abject lesson that light weight can make up for all the technological advancements in the world. Although it couldn't match the RS6's straight-line speed, the S4 could whip the RS6's 4,024-pound butt in the twisty bits despite its theoretically inferior suspension and brakes. As well, the automatic transmission is easily confused and often in the wrong gear despite its Tiptronic manual-shifting mode. The RS6 was never meant for such abuse, but when kept in its intended environment or high-speed cruising on wide, flat roadways, it's quite amazing.
As for more pedestrian duties, the RS keeps with most of Audi's A6 abilities. Unlike the S4, the rear accommodations aren't overly cramped. However, I would have preferred the smaller Audi's Recaro front seats. They provide much better side bolstering and were far more attractive with their colored Alcantara inserts. The RS6's seats are more muted, with monochromatic gray leather, for instance, highlighted by white piping. It's meant to appeal to the older, more conservative crowd who can afford the RS6, but anybody buying this car, regardless of age, is defining him or herself as young at heart.
Speaking of price tags, the RS6's is expected to ring in around $85,000. That's serious coinage, more than BMW's class-defining M5, in fact. Besides the conservative cabin decor, my one condemnation of the RS6 is that the company seems to have once again put the cart before the horse in the pricing sweepstakes. Audi desperately wants to be mentioned in the same breath as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, but before it can start charging the same price for its products it must first establish a reputation equal to the task.
The RS6 may indeed be the equal of BMW's M5, but I think it will be some time before public perception catches up. Charging more than the class' benchmark right out of the gate certainly takes some serious cajones.
My biggest gripes are that 1) Audi's penchant for bland styling is essentially inappropriate in the sport market (who wants to pay $85,000 and drive a car that looks so much like a VW Passat?!), 2) interior styling in the Audi R and S cars is as bland as the exteriors, 3) since the public has little respect for Audi as a manufacturer of sports cars, depreciation and resale are the worst in this segment of the market.
I've copied the last half of Edmunds' review of the RS6 because I think, in essence, it supports my views of why the RS6 is a poor choice for those looking for a super sport sedan.
{ The rest is at:
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadt.....reviews..3.* }
*************************************************
We tested the RS6 on the same track as the S4 and it proved an abject lesson that light weight can make up for all the technological advancements in the world. Although it couldn't match the RS6's straight-line speed, the S4 could whip the RS6's 4,024-pound butt in the twisty bits despite its theoretically inferior suspension and brakes. As well, the automatic transmission is easily confused and often in the wrong gear despite its Tiptronic manual-shifting mode. The RS6 was never meant for such abuse, but when kept in its intended environment or high-speed cruising on wide, flat roadways, it's quite amazing.
As for more pedestrian duties, the RS keeps with most of Audi's A6 abilities. Unlike the S4, the rear accommodations aren't overly cramped. However, I would have preferred the smaller Audi's Recaro front seats. They provide much better side bolstering and were far more attractive with their colored Alcantara inserts. The RS6's seats are more muted, with monochromatic gray leather, for instance, highlighted by white piping. It's meant to appeal to the older, more conservative crowd who can afford the RS6, but anybody buying this car, regardless of age, is defining him or herself as young at heart.
Speaking of price tags, the RS6's is expected to ring in around $85,000. That's serious coinage, more than BMW's class-defining M5, in fact. Besides the conservative cabin decor, my one condemnation of the RS6 is that the company seems to have once again put the cart before the horse in the pricing sweepstakes. Audi desperately wants to be mentioned in the same breath as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, but before it can start charging the same price for its products it must first establish a reputation equal to the task.
The RS6 may indeed be the equal of BMW's M5, but I think it will be some time before public perception catches up. Charging more than the class' benchmark right out of the gate certainly takes some serious cajones.
