One of many coolest-looking race automobiles of all time is the 1989 Audi 90 Quattro IMSA GTO, a widebody tube-frame monster that put out round 720 horsepower from a small turbocharged five-cylinder engine and led Hans-Joachim Caught to 3rd place within the driver’s championship. Now Audi is resurrecting the spirit of the GTO racer with the brand new RS6 GT, a particular version that may mark the top of current-gen RS6 manufacturing.
The GT’s new entrance bumper has bigger intakes and a decrease splitter, and the part that surrounds the singleframe grille and aspect intakes is completed in gloss black. The hood is made out of carbon fiber and has a tweaked design, and the carbon-fiber entrance fenders have built-in air shops that look very cool. I additionally love the 22-inch six-spoke wheels that decision again to fashions just like the B5 S4 of the late ‘90s, although I want the GT had an aerodisc possibility just like the GTO.
Audi additionally eliminated the roof rails, fitted a bigger spoiler on the high of the hatch and gave the GT a singular rear diffuser design. Unusually, Audi says the entire new styling components weren’t designed with improved aerodynamics or downforce in thoughts; it was actually simply in regards to the appears to be like. The RS6 GT shall be supplied in Arkona White, Nardo Grey, Chronos Grey Metallic, Madeira Brown Metallic and Mythos Black Metallic, however the U.S. will solely get the wagon in white. A decal bundle impressed by the IMSA automotive is on the market, and the wheels will be completed in white or both gloss or matte black.
The inside is much less thrilling. Virtually each floor is roofed in black leather-based or microfiber that’s accented by purple and copper stitching, and there are RS6 GT badges and logos throughout. European prospects get the choice of superior carbon-backed bucket seats; all U.S. RS6 GTs may have the usual efficiency seats. We get purple seat belts, at the very least, and there’s a plaque on the middle console that denotes the automotive’s serial quantity.
In case you’re hoping for extra energy, put together to be dissatisfied. The RS6 GT makes use of the identical twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 as the RS6 Efficiency, with 621 hp and 627 pound-feet of torque. Audi says it is going to attain 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and hit a high velocity of 190 mph, the latter of which is 15 mph increased than a regular RS6, and the general weight of the RS6 has been diminished by 33 kilos.
In an sudden transfer for a automotive like this, the RS6 GT is fitted with adjustable coilover suspension as customary. These coilovers decrease the journey top by 0.4 inches and have stiffer stabilizers, the next spring fee and three-way adjustable dampers. However, for those who so need, prospects can order the traditional RS6’s customary air suspension setup or the elective Dynamic Journey Management. The RS6 GT additionally has its personal tuning for the rear differential, and new Continental Sport Contact 7 tires which might be stated to supply improved braking efficiency and higher grip in each the dry and the moist.
Audi is simply going to construct 660 RS6 GTs, of which 85 are coming to the U.S. and 7 are headed to Canada. Whereas the automobiles begin on the identical manufacturing line because the common RS6 in Neckarsulm, Germany, last meeting occurs in Böllinger Höfe, the place the R8 and E-Tron GT are constructed. There, a small workforce of simply seven staff is tasked with ending the RS6 GT. Pricing hasn’t been introduced but, however anticipate it to hold a hefty premium over the bottom RS6’s $126,895 beginning worth.
As for the next-generation RS6, issues will get a little bit complicated. The present A6 shall be changed by the totally electrical A6 E-Tron, which can are available each Sportback and Avant physique kinds — sure, a wagon will nonetheless be supplied. However there may also be an internal-combustion A7, additionally in Sportback and Avant guises, that act as a extra direct successor with a hybrid powertrain.
