The Audi RS6 Avant — much like the four-ringed company's other 'RS' products — was already a bit of a monster. To the average punter it was a suave station wagon (or 'estate car' if you're that way inclined). But to everyone else who could spot the pumped-up arches, deep spoilers, and huge brake package ... it was a certified sleeper waiting to scare many a sports car.
So, where does the RS6 go from here?
Maybe this is it. Audi tuning company ABT Sportsline (a frequent name in the motorsport world through involvement in Audi racing campaigns, as well as young Formula E hopeful Daniel Abt) have taken on the RS6 and come up with something very different, and very fast.
Its tongue-twisting name is the ABT Audi RS6-E Hybrid Concept, and it will outrun plenty of other more fancied machines thanks to some heavily revised mechanics under its stickerbomed skin.
The main addition is an electric motor and 13.6kWh battery in the transmission tunnel. It can give the rear wheels an added kick of silent-but-deadly electric power at the press of a bright green button on the steering wheel. When enabled, it gives the RS6-E Concept 1,004hp (750kW) and 1291Nm of torque — 304kW more than the already mad standard RS6.
It isn't just an RS6 with an electric power unit banged in, of course. It's combined with other changes too, which include ABT's own engine control unit (AEC) and exhaust system. These two latter fixtures are already available as off-the-shelf upgrades for RS6 owners, but in this application they take things to another performance level.
The RS6-E Hybrid Concept, despite its hulking dimensions and weight, can hurtle from a stand still to 100km/h in 3.3 seconds when the electric motor is engaged. And with enough space, it'll hit a top speed of 320km/h.
Without that added motor doing its thing, it'll hit 100km/h in a still-rapid 3.7 seconds — while the top speed is knocked down to 250km/h.
Changes to the way the Hybrid hugs the road are minimal, and that's OK given the standard car's impressive handling abilities. Still, ABT felt it wise to add some new aero pieces (how angry does that nose look), and an H&R suspension set-up combined with wild Tron-flavoured 21-inch wheels.
If there's a weakness to the RS6-E, it's that all of its electric wizardry can only be harnessed in short bursts. Sort of like Tesla's 'Ludicrous Mode'.
Nonetheless, this is a heck of a wagon. And, perhaps, a window into the RS nameplate's bombastic future.
