One of many coolest-looking race vehicles of all time is the 1989 Audi 90 Quattro IMSA GTO, a widebody tube-frame monster that put out round 720 horsepower from a small turbocharged five-cylinder engine and led Hans-Joachim Caught to 3rd place within the driver’s championship. Now Audi is resurrecting the spirit of the GTO racer with the brand new RS6 GT, a particular version that may mark the top of current-gen RS6 manufacturing.
The GT’s new entrance bumper has bigger intakes and a decrease splitter, and the part that surrounds the singleframe grille and facet intakes is completed in gloss black. The hood is made out of carbon fiber and has a tweaked design, and the carbon-fiber entrance fenders have built-in air retailers that look very cool. I additionally love the 22-inch six-spoke wheels that decision again to fashions just like the B5 S4 of the late ‘90s, although I want the GT had an aerodisc choice just like the GTO.
Audi additionally eliminated the roof rails, fitted a bigger spoiler on the prime of the hatch and gave the GT a singular rear diffuser design. Unusually, Audi says the entire new styling parts weren’t designed with improved aerodynamics or downforce in thoughts; it was actually simply concerning the appears to be like. The RS6 GT can be supplied in Arkona White, Nardo Grey, Chronos Grey Metallic, Madeira Brown Metallic and Mythos Black Metallic, however the U.S. will solely get the wagon in white. A decal bundle impressed by the IMSA automotive is obtainable, and the wheels may be completed in white or both gloss or matte black.
The inside is much less thrilling. Nearly each floor is roofed in black leather-based or microfiber that’s accented by purple and copper stitching, and there are RS6 GT badges and symbols throughout. European clients get the choice of superior carbon-backed bucket seats; all U.S. RS6 GTs can have the usual efficiency seats. We get purple seat belts, at the very least, and there’s a plaque on the middle console that denotes the automotive’s serial quantity.
When you’re hoping for extra energy, put together to be dissatisfied. The RS6 GT makes use of the identical twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 as the RS6 Efficiency, with 621 hp and 627 pound-feet of torque. Audi says it’ll attain 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and hit a prime velocity of 190 mph, the latter of which is 15 mph larger than a regular RS6, and the general weight of the RS6 has been lowered by 33 kilos.
In an surprising transfer for a automotive like this, the RS6 GT is fitted with adjustable coilover suspension as normal. These coilovers decrease the experience top by 0.4 inches and have stiffer stabilizers, a better spring price and three-way adjustable dampers. However, for those who so want, clients can order the conventional RS6’s normal air suspension setup or the optionally available Dynamic Experience Management. The RS6 GT additionally has its personal tuning for the rear differential, and new Continental Sport Contact 7 tires which can be mentioned to supply improved braking efficiency and higher grip in each the dry and the moist.
Audi is simply going to construct 660 RS6 GTs, of which 85 are coming to the U.S. and 7 are headed to Canada. Whereas the vehicles begin on the identical manufacturing line because the common RS6 in Neckarsulm, Germany, last meeting occurs in Böllinger Höfe, the place the R8 and E-Tron GT are constructed. There, a small crew of simply seven workers is tasked with ending the RS6 GT. Pricing hasn’t been introduced but, however count on it to hold a hefty premium over the bottom RS6’s $126,895 beginning worth.
As for the next-generation RS6, issues will get slightly complicated. The present A6 can be changed by the totally electrical A6 E-Tron, which can are available each Sportback and Avant physique types — sure, a wagon will nonetheless be supplied. However there can even be an internal-combustion A7, additionally in Sportback and Avant guises, that act as a extra direct successor with a hybrid powertrain.
