RS6 Avant: high performance, high cost

• Audi's most powerful production car
• Avant deliveries begin in May
• Saloon version to follow mid-year

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Audi’s most powerful production car ever, the RS6 quattro Avant, will cost £77,625 when it goes on sale in February.

The new car is powered by a 5.0-litre V10 engine with two turbochargers, giving a power output of 572bhp. This is channelled through a six-speed semi-automatic transmission working in conjunction with the latest version of Audi’s quattro four-wheel-drive system.

The RS6 will hit 62mph from rest in 4.6secs and is electronically limited to a top speed of 155mph.

Driver aids on the new model include active suspension, adjusts according to conditions to maintain ride quality on all road surfaces.

Other standard equipment includes stability control, high-performance ceramic disc brakes and cruise control. There’s also an MP3-compatible CD changer, sports seats and DVD navigation.

The £77,625 price tag makes the Audi more expensive than both its rivals. It is almost £10,000 more than the BMW M5 Touring and £7000 more than Mercedes E63 AMG estate, although its kit list is longer.