The Audi RS6 quattro, commonly referred to as the RS6, is the highest performing version, and top-of-the-line specification of the Audi A6, positioned above the Audi S6. It is a mid-size sports-focussed executive car, produced by the high performance private subidiary company quattro GmbH, for Audi AG, part of the Volkswagen Group. Production of the original C5 RS6 began in June 2002 and ended in October 2004. The second and current C6 RS6 was introduced at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The original RS6 (Typ 4B) was the top-of-the-line user of the Volkswagen Group C5 platform (1997-2004), and was initially available as a 5-door Avant (Audis name for an estate/wagon). A 4-door saloon/sedan followed shortly after the launch of the Avant. Derived from the C5 Audi S6 (itself derived from the Audi A6), the RS6 also shares aluminium structure from the firewall and forward with the C5 A6s with V8 engines (A6 4.2 V8 quattro, S6 saloon/Avant).
Performance figures for the Avant, whilst consuming the recommended high octane 98RON "Super Plus unleaded" petrol indicate the 0-100 km/h (62 mph) dash would be completed in 4.6 seconds, reaching 200 km/h (124 mph) in 16.8 seconds (16.6 s for the saloon). Official figures state an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155.3 mph), although most "RS" owners report that the speed limiter is rather liberal on all RS cars, with genuine top speeds of 270 km/h (168 mph) being possible to achieve. It should be noted that using a lower octane rated petrol, such as the standard 95RON "Premium unleaded" will reduce the engine power output, and have logical reduction in performance.
