PGA launches the Audi RS6

MANILA, Philippines - While there’s no shortage of lists in Santa’s stocking, there’s pretty much just one that keeps popping up in the 4-door saloon section. Introducing the 2010 Audi RS6, the car for families in a real hurry.

As the German horsepower war creeps into aerospace industry territory, Audi has come out with yet another mid size monster to set the roads on fire. Positioned against the mid-size super luxury sport sedans from BMW and AMG, this new 580 horsepower SCTEX stormer has given millionaires yet another difficult decision these holidays.

Launched last week at the PGA showroom to an intimate circle of the automotive press, the all-new V10 powered beast is said to be priced at around 8.8 million pesos.

Yes, I know, you can buy a house with that kind of money; but what house can accelerate to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds? Surely that is worth the extra 4 million or so on the standard A6.

It is powered by a twin-turbo V10 that churns out a tire shredding 650 Nm of torque and features racing-inspired direct injection and dry-sump lubrication that doesn’t leave a single square inch left in the engine bay. With up to 1.6 bar of boost pressure, these provide smooth, powerful thrust and an incomparable power band: The peak torque of 650 Nm (479.42 lb-ft) is available from 1,500 to 6,250 rpm (almost the entire rev range) while peak power comes on the boil between 6,250 rpm and the maximum figure of 6,700 rpm.

With a power-to-weight ratio of 3.4 kilograms per hp, Audi is quick to claim that it drives like a supercar yet offers all of the everyday utility of a large business sedan.

Sadly, there is no DSG (or double clutch gearbox) here. Instead, the engine’s power flows through the six-speed tiptronic that has been improved to shift at one tenth of a second – approximately half the time compared to units used in other models. The driver can also manually change gears either using the shift lever or the paddles on the steering wheel.

It is still, of course, an all wheel drive vehicle.

The front axle features four lightweight aluminum control arms per wheel, whose elastokinematics have been designed for particularly sporty performance. The characteristics of the speed-dependent servotronic power steering were retuned and the steering gear ratio is a direct 12.5:1. The rear suspension kinematics have also been modified.

The development engineers have also deployed an exclusive damping technology; Dynamic Ride Control DRC reduces pitch and roll using purely mechanical means. Hydraulic lines and valves connect diagonally opposed pairs of shock absorbers. When cornering, the flow of fluid to the damper of the compressing outside front wheel increases, providing firmer support and reducing roll. When combined with the sports suspension plus, DRC offers a choice of three selectable damper settings – sport, dynamic and comfort – which can be activated via the MMI.

The electronic stabilization system ESP offers maximum driving fun with uncompromised safety. Its relatively high activation threshold encourages a dynamic driving style. It offers a Sport mode that can also be deactivated entirely.

The new Audi RS 6 rolls on 19-inch alloy wheels shod with 255/40 tires. Up front, six-piston fixed aluminum calipers – painted black and decorated with RS badges – clamp down on 390 millimeter brake disks. The rear brake disks measure 365 millimeters in diameter. The rear axle features single-piston floating brake calipers. The floating steel disks feature large cooling ducts and axial perforations for enhanced performance and less weight.

But if you want the biggest ceramic brake system I have ever seen on a land based vehicle, then you’ll need to tick the 20-inch option box. The massive 420 (front) and 356 (rear) millimeter disks weigh a total of 12.2 kilograms (26.90 lb) less than the steel disks. And use massive calipers with eight pistons that are painted anthracite and labeled “Audi ceramic”.

The deeply sculpted sports seats provide a very involving driving position and are trimmed in Silk Nappa leather, with leather/Alcantara and Valcona leather available as options. Bucket seats with an even more sporty emphasis are also offered for both driver and front passenger. Standard equipment includes the dual-zone deluxe automatic air conditioning plus, a parking assistant at front and rear, an RS leather multifunction sports steering wheel with flat-bottomed rim and a Bose surround sound system. A boost pressure indicator for the two turbochargers in the driver information system rounds out the instrumentation.

PGA cars, the exclusive distributor of Audi cars in the Philippines, is located at EDSA, near the corner of Ortigas Avenue.