Audi RS6 Performance Test: 460 kW Power and Cutting-Edge Technology

Audi RS6 Performance - Test Drive Opportunity offered by Porsche Hungary

Between May 8-11, 2025, I received a special opportunity from Porsche Hungary: I could test the Audi RS6 Performance model with its impressive 460 kW output. As we know, Audi has already introduced the C9 model (currently available only in Avant version), but the RS6 is still based on the C8 platform. This car is the most powerful RS6 they currently produce, equipped with a 4.0-liter V8 engine.

The performance difference was enormous compared to my daily driver, the Audi A6 Allroad C7 BiTDI (235 kW). The RS6 Performance is approximately twice as powerful, with only a "deficit" of 10 kW! After sharing videos on social media, many of you asked about the driving experience between the old and new models, and what it felt like to get back into the Allroad C7 after driving the RS6 C8. In this article, I'll summarize my experiences and highlight some key extras that I would definitely include when purchasing a new Audi.

Although in terms of timing, the Audi A6 C9 is now available with the latest technologies (including the 3rd display that I suggested 10 years ago, wondering why there wasn't a 3rd display in front of the passenger seat. I said this even before the Passat B8 or Audi C7 facelift appeared - well, we know - I'm not at least one of Audi's idea creators in Ingolstadt :) )) - and the Audi A6 C9 has even more advanced technology than the C8. Nevertheless, I hope that many of you will still configure a new RS6 based on the descriptions here, or it might be useful for a C8 purchase. At the same time, I believe that Audi has continued the logic and directions introduced in the C7, so this information will also be useful when configuring a new Audi A6 C8.

You know that I'm a "technology enthusiast" (details here), so I also like to use the best functions. I won't recommend the auxiliary heating or keyless iPhone opening and closing, I'll only focus on what provides a professional advanced driving experience in the short, medium and long term = "Audi must-have functions" - we can even call this "Csaba Stefan Audi Must-Have Extras".

Audi A6 C8 Driver Assistance Systems and Modern Technologies

Adaptive Cruise Control Package: The most noticeable advantage of the RS6 over the Allroad is clearly in its more advanced driver assistance systems. If I were buying a new Audi now, I would definitely include the largest Driver Assistance ACC package, which contains several key functions:

• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): Much more sophisticated than in the C7 generation, and works reliably in almost any traffic situation
• Side Assist (blind spot monitoring): An extremely useful feature that warns about vehicles in the blind spot even more accurately than the previous generation
• Traffic Sign Recognition: Equipped with a predictive function, which means it not only recognizes signs but also warns the driver of upcoming speed limits
• Windshield camera: A multifunctional tool that supports lane changes, sign recognition, and the operation of Matrix LED / HD Matrix LED headlights. This package comes with numerous other comfort functions: pedestrian protection, reverse emergency braking, collision warning, and advanced Audi Pre Sense functions (this information is based on my experience, for exact functions please contact your Audi dealer).

The RS6 interior with advanced digital cockpit and head-up display system

Head-up Display: The C7 already showed turning maneuvers on the navigation and how close we were to the next turn planned by the navigation. While we could select the color map on the dashboard (cockpit), the head-up display showed the familiar maneuver details (more advanced than in previous models where it appeared between the two gauge clusters on the dashboard). In the C8, the head-up display is even more advanced, on one hand providing more accurate, detailed, and visually appealing information than in the C7, and on the other hand displaying more information.

Four-wheel Steering: Perhaps the most astonishing difference was the four-wheel steering. It's amazing how tightly the RS6 can turn and rotate – whether at the intersection in front of Duna Plaza on Váci Road, or even in my neighborhood. For more than 6 years, I've been driving out of the garage with the Allroad day after day with the same routine. After 3 days, I got so used to the four-wheel steering RS6 that on Saturday, when I got back into the Allroad, I realized I couldn't turn in a single arc the same way – I had to reverse to avoid hitting the wall!

Air Suspension: Both the Allroad and the RS6 come with air suspension as standard. In the C7, we know that the difference between the Sedan/Avant and Allroad is that the Allroad's air suspension has an extra level setting. In the C8 RS6, the air suspension system is much more advanced (you can feel the difference while driving). Its disadvantage is that it cannot be raised as much – in Dynamic mode it's lower, in Comfort mode it's higher, but even here the ground clearance is only about the height of an iPhone 11 Pro. When driving downtown, for example in front of KameraPro on Haller Street (where I regularly shop as a loyal customer), you definitely need to stop so that the bumper is in front of the curb.

My "Essential" Extras for New Audi Purchase

If I were buying a new Audi now, I would definitely include these features:

Audi RS6 Performance Return and Summary

Getting back into the Allroad after the test period was an interesting experience. The power difference is, of course, immediately noticeable – 235 kW vs. 460 kW is no small difference! But what was perhaps even more striking was the technological generation shift. The C7 model was designed in 2011, and although it was cutting-edge at the time, the C8 platform updated in 2021 represents a significant technological advancement.

I would call the above-mentioned functions "mandatory" extras if someone is buying a new Audi. Of course, there are many other options available beyond these, which I will report on in more detail on the vezetesielmeny.hu portal in the coming days.

Overall, the test weekend confirmed that Audi continues to lead in the premium segment, especially in terms of technological innovations and driving experience. While the RS6 Performance represents a completely different category than the Allroad, comparing the two models well illustrates the direction in which the automotive industry is evolving.

I thank Porsche Hungary for this special opportunity, and thank you all for following my posts about the test weekend shared on social media with interest!