Instantly collectible: 2025 Audi RS 6 Avant GT, a 621-horsepower tribute to an IMSA racing legend
10/17/2024
Audi
The 2025 Audi RS 6 Avant GT represents exclusivity and performance taken to its maximum. The ultimate family race dream car, the RS 6 Avant GT will be limited to 85 units in the U.S. (660 globally); each finished exclusively in a unique red/gray/black heritage livery. The bold exterior design honors - and was inspired by - the iconic Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO race car. In 1989, through its dominance on the racetrack, this legendary machine drove home the major performance advantages of quattro(R) all-wheel drive on pavement - whether for racing or simply everyday driving.
Simultaneously encompassing the quickest, fastest and most powerful production version of the RS 6 Avant to date, the 2025 RS 6 Avant GT can accelerate from 0-60 in 3.2 seconds, and features a top track speed of 190 mph thanks to its 4.0L TFSI(R) biturbo V8 producing 621 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. Massive 16.5- and14.6-inch (420/370mm F/R) carbon-ceramic brakes come standard and help keep such prodigious velocities in check. Furthermore, the driving dynamics and handling capabilities of the RS 6 Avant are extended thanks to a unique three-way adjustable coilover suspension and a quattro sport rear differential, each of which have been expressly optimized for application in the RS 6 Avant GT.
Each U.S.-bound RS 6 Avant GT is finished in Arkona White paint and features the red/gray/black racing-heritage livery and RS badging. In addition, all models receive exclusive 22" 6-arm design "Avus" wheels painted in Ibis White; a sleek "pass-through" roof-edge rear spoiler; redesigned front fascia and lower splitter, side sills and rear diffuser; and a unique carbon-fiber front fenders and hood.
Inside, the heritage inspired exterior is paired with an equally unique and expressive interior concept. Features unique to the RS 6 Avant GT include:
Supportive RS sport seats wrapped in Valcona leather with an RS 6 GT logo, featuring red and copper double stitching, and complemented by Crimson Red seatbelts
Floormats with "RS 6 GT" lettering
Dinamica(R) covered dashboard, center console, and upper door panels
Red and copper double stitching on the Alcantara steering wheel, sides of center console, center armrest and door armrests
All RS 6 Avant GT models are completed with a center-console badge displaying the RS 6 Avant GT logo and exclusive serialized numbering ("X / 660") assuring the vehicle's provenance and exclusivity as a future collectible.
Apprentice concept inspiration
The idea of the Audi RS 6 Avant GT goes back to the apprentice project RS 6 GTO concept from 2020. Twelve apprentices learning to work as bodywork and vehicle construction mechanics, automotive mechanics, automotive painters, and tooling mechanics, worked on the project for six months with the support of Audi Design. They took most of their inspiration from the legendary Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO race car from 1989.
The Singleframe grille and air intakes of the RS 6 Avant GT are finished entirely in high-gloss black, which makes the car appear even lower and wider. Vertical blades in the front apron, a new intake grille, and a powerful front splitter integrated into the bumper enhance the sharpened look. For the first time, Audi Sport GmbH is not only using a fully redesigned hood but is also manufacturing it from carbon fiber. Like the hood, the fenders are made entirely of carbon fiber for the first time, integrating air outlets behind the 22-inch wheels to reduce air pressure in the wheel arch and improve brake cooling.
The side profile is defined by inserts in the side skirts, exterior mirror covers in glossy carbon and the 6-spoke wheel design made exclusively for the RS 6 Avant GT. At the rear, this special edition features black "RS 6 GT" lettering, a tailgate specially adapted to the design with a visually lowered loading edge, and a functional diffuser with a vertically centered reflector that makes the car appear even wider. The distinctive double wing "pass-through" spoiler was inspired by motorsport and taken almost 1:1 from the apprentices' concept car. For the first time in the history of the RS 6 Avant, the roof rails have been removed for an even flatter, sportier silhouette. The roof-rail delete, ceramic brakes, and carbon-fiber components all help contribute to a roughly 40 kg (88 lb) weight reduction when compared to the RS 6 Avant performance, contributing to its 0.1-second quicker 0-60 mph time.
Powered through quattro(R)
The prodigious output of the 4.0L biturbo TFSI(R) V8 is applied to the permanent quattro(R) all-wheel drive via the standard eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox with optimized shift times. Like the RS 6 Avant performance, the RS 6 Avant GT uses the latest version of the locking center differential. Particularly light and compact, it distributes engine power to the front and rear axles at a ratio of 40:60. If slippage occurs, more drive torque is automatically applied to the axle with better traction - up to 70 percent can flow to the front axle and up to 85 percent to the rear axle. The reworked center differential improves driving dynamics, ensures noticeably more precise cornering, and makes for less understeer at the limit.
To further distinguish the special edition from other RS models, the quattro sport differential on the rear axle has been specially tuned for the RS 6 Avant GT. The new parameters focus on greater agility and rear bias in the "dynamic" driving mode. Customers benefit from sporty, neutral, and highly precise handling.
For the first time, and only for the RS 6 Avant GT, adjustable coilover suspension comes as standard. In its standard setting, it lowers the ride height by ten millimeters compared to the RS 6 Avant and offers the appealing combination of dynamic agility and comfort. A higher spring rate, triple-adjustable dampers, and stiffer stabilizers (30 percent stiffer at the front and 80 percent at the rear) ensure less body roll, which once again significantly increases performance. The necessary tools and instructions for making individual adjustments are also included.
The high-performance 285/30 R22 Continental SportContact 7 tires ensure the necessary grip for enthusiastic driving. The tires offer consistently better roadholding under both dry and wet conditions and reduce understeer when cornering at speed, making for overall more precise handling across the entire speed range.
Small-series production
Unlike the regular RS 6 Avant, the limited-edition RS 6 Avant GT is not entirely assembled on the production line in Neckarsulm. After passing through the body construction works and painting shop, the RS 6 Avant GT heads to Böllinger Höfe for final assembly, where models such as the Audi R8 was assembled, and the RS e-tron GT is currently built in small-series production. Located near Audi's production site in Neckarsulm, this highly flexible facility is unique within the group and provides the best conditions for completing each RS 6 Avant GT build. Final assembly of each vehicle is carried out by seven experienced employees at three assembly stations set up especially for this exclusive special edition, spending an entire day on site. All GT-specific features are fitted by hand to each of the 660 RS 6 Avant GT models in the global production run. This process includes the specific fitment of the hood, fenders, rocker panels, double wing, the front and rear aprons, and the adjustable coilover suspension.
Availability and pricing
The 2025 RS 6 Avant GT is limited to 85 units in the U.S. and will be available with a targeted release at the end 2024 at a base MSRP of $198,900.