6 Feb 2024
Carbon Clad Audi RS6 GT Pays Tribute to Iconic Quattro IMSA-GTO Racer
Carbon Clad Audi RS6 GT Pays Tribute to Iconic Quattro IMSA-GTO Racer
News, Audi, RS6
The Audi RS6 is normally the reserve of those who like to ‘make progress’ completely under the radar, packing a supercar punch in a relatively discrete Avant body. However, with its 90 Quattro IMSA-GTO-inspired livery, there is no mistaking the intention of the RS6 GT. Featuring factory coilover suspension and a 15 kg weight saving, the 621 bhp limited edition GT is the most driver-focused Audi RS6 ever.
Craig Toone
By
Images by
Audi Sport gmbh
The Audi RS6 is normally the reserve of those who like to ‘make progress’ completely under the radar, packing a supercar punch in a relatively discrete Avant body. However, with its 90 Quattro IMSA-GTO-inspired livery, there is no mistaking the intention of the RS6 GT. Featuring factory coilover suspension and a 15 kg weight saving, the 621 bhp limited edition GT is the most driver-focused Audi RS6 ever.
Priced from £176,975, the RS6 GT is set to be a rare beast, but certainly one that looks like it will leave its mark. Out of a worldwide production run of 660 units, expect only 60 of those to reach the UK in RHD form.
Given the premium, some might be disappointed to read the 621 bhp output is the same as the Performance version of the RS6, however, that number is lodged in any car enthusiast's mind as a figure that matches the revolutionary 240 mph hypercar - the McLaren F1.
Backed up by 626 lb-ft of torque, Quattro all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox, the GT is good for a 0-62 mph time of just 3.2 seconds, cut by 0.1 thanks to the adoption of carbon fibre panels for the bonnet and wings and new, grippier Continental Sport Contact 7 tyres (285/30) wrapped around distinctive new alloys. But it's the 0-125 mph time where things get interesting, with the GT being a full 1.5s quicker than the standard RS6 thanks, in part, to the revised aero.
The eye-catching styling of the GT draws heavily on the RS6 GTO Concept of 2020 - an engineering study for twelve apprentices learning bodywork and vehicle construction mechanics, automotive mechanics, automotive painting and tooling mechanics under the supervision of Audi Design. Working over six months, the young team took most of their inspiration from the all-conquering Audi 90 Quattro IMSA GTO race car from 1989.
Inside, the RS6 GT has numerous bespoke interior finishes. Taking the ‘RS design package plus’ as a starting point, the GT is enhanced by numerous accents in the exclusive colour combination of red and copper. The stitching on the steering wheel, the sides of the centre console, the centre armrest and door armrests, and the floor mats is all embroidered with RS6 GT lettering, while new leather-Dinamica RS bucket seats embossed with RS6 GT also feature this colour scheme. In a nice finishing touch, the centre console features the car’s serial number in the limited run of 660 models.
Also like the RS6 Performance, the RS6 GT uses the latest version of Audi’s locking centre differential, which distributes power via a 40:60 ratio under normal circumstances. The system can optimise traction by sending up to 70 per cent to the front axle and as much as 85 per cent to the rear for enhanced dynamics, helping to reduce understeer. The coilover suspension offers three-way adjustability and similar to those fitted to the RS4 Competition, will feature a 10 mm reduction in ride height that can be reduced by a further 10 mm. Buyers opting for the optional air-ride suspension will receive a bespoke calibration to match the setup of the coilovers.
The not inconsiderable hike in list price reflects not only the bespoke nature of the GT’s components but also the fact they necessitate the car being hand-finished in Audi’s specialist Böllinger Höfe plant, where the Audi R8 and Audi e-tron GT are built in small-series production.
After painting, the RS6 GT will be shipped from the production line in Neckarsulm to Böllinger Höfe, where final assembly is carried out by hand. Here, each car will receive its carbon bonnet, wheel arches, rocker panels, double wing, front and rear aprons, and adjustable coilover suspension. Deliveries of the Audi RS6 GT are expected to commence in June 2024.
Audi RS6 GT Avant: Specification
Engine - 4.0-litre V8, twin-turbocharged
Output - 621 bhp, 627 lb-ft
Weight - 2075 kg (299 bhp/ton)
Performance - 0-62 mph; 3.3s, top speed 188 mph
Price - £176,975
The Audi RS6 is normally the reserve of those who like to ‘make progress’ completely under the radar, packing a supercar punch in a relatively discrete Avant body. However, with its 90 Quattro IMSA-GTO-inspired livery, there is no mistaking the intention of the RS6 GT. Featuring factory coilover suspension and a 15 kg weight saving, the 621 bhp limited edition GT is the most driver-focused Audi RS6 ever.
Priced from £176,975, the RS6 GT is set to be a rare beast, but certainly one that looks like it will leave its mark. Out of a worldwide production run of 660 units, expect only 60 of those to reach the UK in RHD form.
Given the premium, some might be disappointed to read the 621 bhp output is the same as the Performance version of the RS6, however, that number is lodged in any car enthusiast's mind as a figure that matches the revolutionary 240 mph hypercar - the McLaren F1.
Backed up by 626 lb-ft of torque, Quattro all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox, the GT is good for a 0-62 mph time of just 3.2 seconds, cut by 0.1 thanks to the adoption of carbon fibre panels for the bonnet and wings and new, grippier Continental Sport Contact 7 tyres (285/30) wrapped around distinctive new alloys. But it's the 0-125 mph time where things get interesting, with the GT being a full 1.5s quicker than the standard RS6 thanks, in part, to the revised aero.
The eye-catching styling of the GT draws heavily on the RS6 GTO Concept of 2020 - an engineering study for twelve apprentices learning bodywork and vehicle construction mechanics, automotive mechanics, automotive painting and tooling mechanics under the supervision of Audi Design. Working over six months, the young team took most of their inspiration from the all-conquering Audi 90 Quattro IMSA GTO race car from 1989.
Inside, the RS6 GT has numerous bespoke interior finishes. Taking the ‘RS design package plus’ as a starting point, the GT is enhanced by numerous accents in the exclusive colour combination of red and copper. The stitching on the steering wheel, the sides of the centre console, the centre armrest and door armrests, and the floor mats is all embroidered with RS6 GT lettering, while new leather-Dinamica RS bucket seats embossed with RS6 GT also feature this colour scheme. In a nice finishing touch, the centre console features the car’s serial number in the limited run of 660 models.
Also like the RS6 Performance, the RS6 GT uses the latest version of Audi’s locking centre differential, which distributes power via a 40:60 ratio under normal circumstances. The system can optimise traction by sending up to 70 per cent to the front axle and as much as 85 per cent to the rear for enhanced dynamics, helping to reduce understeer. The coilover suspension offers three-way adjustability and similar to those fitted to the RS4 Competition, will feature a 10 mm reduction in ride height that can be reduced by a further 10 mm. Buyers opting for the optional air-ride suspension will receive a bespoke calibration to match the setup of the coilovers.
The not inconsiderable hike in list price reflects not only the bespoke nature of the GT’s components but also the fact they necessitate the car being hand-finished in Audi’s specialist Böllinger Höfe plant, where the Audi R8 and Audi e-tron GT are built in small-series production.
After painting, the RS6 GT will be shipped from the production line in Neckarsulm to Böllinger Höfe, where final assembly is carried out by hand. Here, each car will receive its carbon bonnet, wheel arches, rocker panels, double wing, front and rear aprons, and adjustable coilover suspension. Deliveries of the Audi RS6 GT are expected to commence in June 2024.
Audi RS6 GT Avant: Specification
Engine - 4.0-litre V8, twin-turbocharged
Output - 621 bhp, 627 lb-ft
Weight - 2075 kg (299 bhp/ton)
Performance - 0-62 mph; 3.3s, top speed 188 mph
Price - £176,975
AUTHOR
Craig Toone
Rush Founder
Photography by;
Audi Sport gmbh
Published on:
6 February 2024
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Craig Toone
Rush Founder
Obsessed with cars and car magazines ever since growing up in the back of a Sapphire Cosworth. Wore the racing line into the family carpet with his Matchbox toys. Can usually be found three-wheeling his Clio 182 Trophy around the Forest of Bowland, then bemoaning its running costs.
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