Audi RS6 is pretty much perfect — it boasts supercar pace and estate car space

A FRIEND of a friend is a retired policeman.

We got chatting at a party recently when I mischievously asked him what getaway car he’d drive.

5

“Something fast,” he said.

Yes, clearly.

“Something big enough to fit a lot of cash in the back.”

Yes, yes. Go on.

5

“Something with a roof rack.”

Come again?

“Stick two bikes on the roof and you’d be waved straight through a roadblock,” he said.

Now that’s clever. I didn’t think of that. So after dismissing a Subaru WRX (too obvious) and a VW Passat (too slow), we both agreed on the Audi RS6.

5

It’s pretty much perfect. Supercar pace, estate car space, I can’t think of anything better for bank jobs and bank holiday getaways. It’s the car for all reasons and all seas­ons.

Not only is the RS6 peak Audi, it is one of my favourite cars on sale today.

Let’s start with that 600hp V8. Jeez, it’s fast. Like sticking a mustard-coated sausage up a racehorse’s bottom and watching it go. Yep, that fast. From A to B, ASAMFP.

Except with this car, everything is calm. It is just pure thrust paired with unstickable Quattro all-wheel drive.

Add air suspension and all-wheel steering nicked off a Lamborghini Urus and everything works as one to make an average driver look like a pro.

I reckon my old girl in an RS6 in a blizzard would easily outrun the rozzers. No mucking about.

FAST AND STICKY

Then there’s the RS mode on the steering wheel, which tightens everything up nicely. It’s the full-assault set-up honed by Audi racing drivers.

Now allow me to explain a little bit more about the four-wheel steering.

5

At low speeds, the rear wheels turn up to five degrees in the opposite direction to the front wheels to effectively shorten the wheelbase and improve handling, as well as reduce the turning circle by 1.1 metres.

It makes a heavy girl like this feel really nimble.

At higher speeds, the rears turn in the same direction as the fronts to improve stability.

So, it’s fast and sticky but does it stop well? Absolutely. The huge 17in brake discs on this thing are bigger than the wheels on a Fiesta.

5

As for looks, the RS6 clearly isn’t lacking in swagger.

With those blistered arches, it sits 80mm wider than a standard A6 Avant and Audi Sport has swapped every body panel aside from the doors, roof and tailgate. And look at the size of the two chimneys sticking out the back.

most read in motors

SAFETY FIRST

Drivers brace for major rule change as classic cars face MoTs for the 1st time

DRIVE SMART

Britain's 10 most cost-effective cars for cash-savvy drivers revealed

PEOPLE'S CAR

World’s most famous hatchback turns 50…key reasons why it's still going strong

FINE CHANCE

Your car could be sold by council under new plan - if you make easy mistake

A quick glance round the interior reveals nothing but the usual Audi excellence. Beautiful design. Three digital screens. Lots of metal. Honeycomb-stitched leather. Lots of space. And a hovercraft-smooth ride.

If you’re not in a hurry, Audi’s cylinder-on-demand tech — which shuts down four of the eight cylinders under light loads — combines with the 48-volt mild hybrid system to make this the most refined and efficient RS6 yet.

The only snag is the price. At 92 big ones, you’d need to rob a bank to afford one in the first place.

• GOT a news story? RING us on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]