sjb

Nope. This isn't another "what would you buy?!" thread.

Instead, something pretty special happened a couple of days ago... I was going for a little cruise down PCH in Malibu, when I see the unmistakable and outright angry front end of an RS6 four cars behind me in the other lane. I slowed down a bit so he could catch up with me, and when he pulled alongside, he asked if I knew of a good place nearby to take some pictures. What ensued is in the photos below... they were two Audi representatives, and this is one of the same press cars from the November 10 North American reveal at Cars & Coffee event in Malibu. We were equally taken with our respective wagons. Really fun coincidence, and such an amazing and rare opportunity to compare them side by side, at least visually. For the record, I also believe this is the first instance these two generations have been photographed together.

The RS6 looks absolutely massive next to the E63, particularly from the front. I didn't get to drive it, but had a chance to sit in the driver's seat and fire it up. The AMG sounds a lot meaner (although it's not really a fair comparison, since I am running a Stage 2 tune + catted downpipes), and I have to say, the interior on the E63 is so much nicer in my opinion. The haptic touchscreen display is really satisfying to operate, but the continuous large screen display and the cabin of the AMG feel more sophisticated to me. Also, Audi is using their standard issue soft touch plastic that you get in the current A3 (my wife drives one) for much of the interior trim and switches/buttons, where Mercedes is using Leather and Aluminum. That notwithstanding, it's a special car, and I would love to own one eventually... although I definitely won't kick the E63 out of the garage for it. So I'm currently trying to convince my wife that the RS6 Avant suits her much better than the A3 sportback.

(For context, this car was in Malibu as part of the North American press tour, starting with Cars & Coffee in Malibu on Sunday, November 10, and culminating in the LA Auto Show, starting this coming weekend on November 22.)



































edit – added a photo of my cockpit for comparison

b0rderman

Very cool. The press embargo ends nov 26th. I am exciting to read the reviews from those that also enjoyed the e63.

sjb

To clarify... that's my E63.

b0rderman

Ha, yes I got that. I was talking about driving impressions.

edit: in person did it look any less aggressive in terms of styling? The R8 jumbo grill and that diffuser thing at the rear always jump out at me in pictures.

sjb

Not really. The styling is very angular and aggressive, much more so than the E63. It’s a bit of a misstep in my opinion, since one of the great attributes of these cars for me has always been their understatement, along the lines of “if you know you know, if you don’t, you don’t need to.” I realize that this is very subjective, but one of the many reasons why I love the AMG so much.

The rear “brow” on the RS6 is not quite as bad in person as in the photos, and the black optic package helps a lot. They had a Daytona grey one without black optic at the Cars & Coffee event as well, and it was very distracting to me... I call it “the constant look of surprise.”

signes

So cool! Good that the Audi guys were up for it. Amazing how aggressive the styling looks compared to your wagon. Thanks for sharing.

chiromikey

Cool, thanks for sharing! From my understanding the demos were Euro models which have more restrictive sound/exhaust regulations than we do so US versions will be a bit louder. But that still won’t compare to a tuned AMG with downpipes. If you’re into tuning, I’d expect Audi to widen it’s current advantage even further but what also has my interest is how much the 4 wheel steering will help these pigs handle. I enjoy added handling but not at the sacrifice for comfort in a daily driver. These are the two biggest reasons I’ve moved away from AMG and have a deposit on the RS6.

Star&Car

wow,thx,what an early unexpected comparison...I'd choose the E class,way more classy.

Star&Car

Did you happen to meet the first drive fleet and delibarately parked your car there?hahaha.

e55phil

Thanks for sharing.

mrmotoguzzi00

Interesting..... AMG is smoother.... Audi seems very angular and rear bumper just doesn't seem to cohesive in design... ???

b0rderman

Any word on timing for your order? Have you been able to spec it out yet?

chiromikey

No definitive word but rumor is that it’s been pushed out to next fall and spec will be early next year.

ronin amg

I happen to like the outside styling of the Audi RS6 more then the E63s but the interior of the AMG is so much better than the RS6 and I drive from the inside of my car at all times.
I do like the Audi's rear fender bulge, it looks like it could take a wider rear wheel/tire.
Oh yeah the Audi seems huge compared to the AMG and would be hard to keep in its own lane on some tight canyon roads..

24Hours

slj, my wagon is nearly identical to yours... minus debadging. I do love that red... agreed on the exterior win to Audi, interior win to MB... Those wheels on the RS6 are massive... 21" and how wide? Makes the AMG width look small. Perhaps its just the angle of the lens. And what is with the stupid shark-fin SAT antenna on the Audi?

I had been calling AoA for years to convince them to import the RS6 Avant and now they finally did it. Unless I can convince my wife to unload her SUV, I won't get the pleasure of an RS6.

Thanks for posting the pics and how serendipitous to have crossed paths with them!

ronin amg

The nice thing about seeing these two together is the fact that there is zero need to get out of a perfect 2018 E63s wagon for the so called next best thing.
Oh yeah I would never want all that red and a loud exhaust screaming "yo officer I'm over here".

Slugsy

The RS6 was going to be my next car when my lease runs out in 2021 but I honestly hate the back of this, I think they have ruined it! Argh!

NickyBlack

RS6 is a legend, may trade my 991turbo for it

ronin amg

I traded my 991 Turbo S for my AMG E63s wagon....

Dunga

What an opportunity! Tried to talk to the wife about it but she’s not gonna let us be the house with the two wagons in the neighborhood. The RSQ8 might be appealing when the warranty is up on her GLE. At least worth a test drive.

As for this C8 RS6. I’m very glad Audi is finally bringing it over. I personally think the C7 RS6 looked way more elegant but that’s obviously subjective. I believe those wheels are 22”.

b0rderman

Press embargo is lifted...the reviews are dropping. Road and Track text and TheSmokingTire video is out (both by the same guy who is a big fan of the e63s wagon):

https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-car...6-first-drive/

mrmotoguzzi00

I need his job.....

E63Wagonesque

Smoking Tire sums it up - you now have 2 x 600hp wagons in America, folks!!

raudiace4

RS6 looks so much better exterior wise, but interior wise the E63 is head and shoulders above anything else in it's class. The inside of that Audi looks and feels like a Jetta. (After sitting in various Q8s and new A6s which have almost the same interior).

David Bogle

seems so far, nobody has been able to really drive the car hard.. look forward to those comparisons, but still love my E63S Estate over the Audi!