Few cars cross the 600-horsepower line. Those that do tend to be exotic cars with space for two people and no baggage. But soon, there will be a family-hauling station wagon capable of carrying five people and a weekend’s worth of camping gear comfortably on a blistering zero-to-sixty run.
The 2024 Audi RS 6 Avant wagon and RS 7 Sportback will each get a new Performance trim that boosts their output over the line few cross.
Audi hasn’t revealed pricing. The current RS 6 Avant starts at $118,900, while the RS 7 starts at $120,900. Each also requires a $1,095 destination charge.
Current models are pulled along by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 making 591 horsepower. The new Performance trims will get 621 from the same engine, retuned.
Audi likes the powerplant so much that they’re turning its volume up. The company explains, “reduced insulation between the engine compartment, the interior, and the rear of the vehicle ensures the RS 6 Avant performance, and the RS 7 Sportback performance will thrill customers with an exciting, next-level sound experience.”
Audi says that removing 18 pounds of insulation will also boost acceleration slightly. Though we should note that that kind of change can be hard to detect and easy to erase with cargo.
Other changes for the new models include 22-inch wheels wrapped in Continental Sport Contact 7 performance tires and two customizable drive modes to go with the Efficiency, Comfort, Auto, and Dynamic modes of lesser models.
