Detroit Auto Show: Audi To Unveil RS 6
DETROIT, Jan. 4, 2003; -- The 2003 Audi RS 6 -- Audi's most powerful
model to date -- makes its North American debut here at the North American
International Auto Show. The proven performer will be featured at the Audi
display from January 5 - 20. The RS 6 signifies the ideal synthesis of
immense power, functionality and comfort. The innovative union of sports car
performance in a thoroughbred sedan manifests itself in the excitement the
driver feels once behind the wheel.
At the heart of this extraordinary vehicle is its incredible engine,
inspired by the powerplant of Audi's victorious Le Mans-winning R8 racing car.
Such lineage makes the sleek RS 6 among the fastest five-passenger sports
sedans ever to enter the U.S. market, with a 0-60 miles-per-hour time of just
4.6 seconds.
The 2003 Audi RS 6 will arrive in the U.S. in July 2003. It is produced
by quattro GmbH, the high-performance arm of Audi AG, Audi of America's parent
company (see quattro GmbH release). The RS 6 is the first U.S.-market model
by quattro GmbH, a group well known for the remarkable RS 4 model sold
exclusively in Europe.
Engine and Transmission
The RS 6 features a modified Audi 4.2-liter, biturbo V8 producing an
incredible 450 horsepower and available 415 lbs. ft. of torque across a wide
range of 1,950-5,600 revolutions per minute; top speed is electronically
governed at 155 mph.
The RS 6 V8 architecture includes 90-degree cylinder banks, an aluminum
block and five valves per cylinder -- two of which are sodium-cooled for
maximum valve temperature control. Light alloy cylinder heads, dual overhead
camshafts with variable intake and exhaust camshaft adjustment, roller cam
followers and a direct ignition system enhance the overall engine package.
The RS 6 optimizes engine performance with twin turbochargers,
electronically controlled waste gates and twin intercoolers. One turbocharger
for each cylinder bank maximizes air intake volume, while an intercooler mated
with each turbocharger prevents loss of turbo pressure while cooling the
intake air. This force-fed, temperature-optimized "breathing" results in
minimal turbo lag for peak engine performance.
Audi's adapted engine management system -- Motronic(R) -- controls boost
pressure, knock and exhaust-gas temperature for enhanced engine efficiency.
The optimized dual-branch exhaust system has middle and rear mufflers, larger
pipe sections and metal-base catalytic converters.
In the interest of weight savings, the upper section of the air cleaner is
made from a carbon-fiber composite. A carbon-fiber cover over the front
section of the engine adds to the striking under-hood appearance and helps
balance vehicle weight.
To maintain the emphasis on sporty driving, engineers specifically tuned a
Tiptronic(R) five-speed automatic transmission for the RS 6. In the "Sport"
setting, with the selector in the "S" position, gears are held longer on
upshifts and engage at higher revs when downshifting to increase performance.
Depending on the level of lateral acceleration, the transmission management
system can even adjust the shift points, avoiding undesirable "gear hunt"
during cornering.
The RS 6 driver can also operate the transmission manually in either of
two ways: By briefly pressing the gear selector front or back in the
Tiptronic shift gate, the transmission shifts gears at the driver's command.
Racing-inspired shift paddles behind the steering wheel also allow for driver-
directed gear changes.
The specially tuned RS 6 Tiptronic transmission also incorporates a
Dynamic Shift Program (DSP) with hill detection capability. DSP automatically
selects from more than 200 shift patterns to match driver characteristics with
driving conditions, while hill detection capability prevents gear hunt on
inclines.
Advanced Ride Characteristics
Whichever transmission mode is utilized, the RS 6 maintains control with
Audi's innovative new suspension system, Dynamic Ride Control (DRC). The RS 6
is the first Audi to offer this active suspension using diagonally connected,
hydraulically dampened shock absorbers.
By continually adjusting the hydraulic pressure at each shock absorber,
DRC limits body roll and pitch during active driving. DRC connects the shock
absorbers at the opposite corners of the vehicle via a hydraulic system
incorporating a central reservoir. As the hydraulic pressure on the shock on
the inside of a corner is reduced, hydraulic fluid is transferred through the
reservoir to increase pressure to the diagonally linked shock on the outside
of the corner.
The central reservoir of the DRC also works to balance hydraulic pressure
when either front or rear shocks are under pressure, such as during hard
starts and stops. By effectively stiffening the under-pressure shocks, DRC
helps maintain the overall stability of the RS 6 during active driving.
The legendary Audi quattro(R) permanent four-wheel drive system, with
Torsen(R) torque-sensing center differential directing power to the wheels
with the most traction, is standard on the RS 6. A suspension lowered by 25
millimeters, shocks with 40 percent increased compression damping, a 30
percent stiffer spring rate and larger stabilizer bars (as compared to the
A6), along with standard 18-inch cast-aluminum, nine-spoke wheels and 255/40ZR
performance tires, enhance the RS 6's stance and driving characteristics.
The RS 6 also benefits from aluminum swivel bearings and control arms on
the four-link front suspension and a double-A rear suspension. The
spring/shock absorber units have been retuned to suit the altered axle weights
and modified axle geometry.
In keeping with the car's high performance, quattro GmbH has developed a
brake system for the RS 6 using motor sport technology. The RS 6 brake system
incorporates 14-inch front and 13-inch rear discs of a composite design; a
cast friction ring is fixed to an aluminum brake-disc hub by 14 pins. This
"floating" arrangement improves the stability of the brake discs, particularly
when exposed to extreme loads and at high operating temperatures.
The ventilated disc brakes work in tandem with sizeable Brembo(R) four-
pad, eight-piston brake calipers at the front and single-piston, floating
calipers at the rear. The brakes are painted black with a unique red and
silver RS 6 logo. In addition, the parameters of the Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) have been specifically
redefined for the high-performance braking system.
The RS 6 also benefits from an Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP(R))
with BrakeAssist. ESP continually monitors vehicle stability and intervenes
automatically if there is any risk of a skid. ESP also counteracts oversteer
by selectively braking the front wheel on the outside of a bend; in the case
of understeer, it briefly brakes the rear wheel on the inside of the bend.
Style - Exterior
The RS 6 exterior exudes understated appeal with its progressive, clean
design. Below and in front of the aluminum fenders and hood, a low apron
houses three air intake apertures behind diamond-patterned grilles. The two
outboard intakes, flanked by fog lights, provide air for the engine's twin
intercoolers, while the aluminum-trimmed center air intake is one of two for
engine cooling.
Above the bumper is the other half of Audi's familial split-grille, also
trimmed in aluminum. Behind this diamond-patterned grille are two air intakes
to feed the engine's twin turbochargers.
The rear of the RS 6 also sports a unique look. A redesigned back apron
incorporates a full-width, diamond-patterned lower grille that allows
underbody airflow to reduce lift and improve aerodynamics. Housed in this
grille are two chrome, oval-shaped exhaust tips. Along the trailing edge of
the deck lid is a lip spoiler. Almost imperceptible, this critical design
element provides down-force to help maintain road contact.
Discreet yet beefy side sills add to the aggressive stance of the RS 6.
The side window trim and rearview mirror housings are finished in matte
aluminum, adding a subtle elegance and contrast to the bold RS 6 exterior
colors: Avus Silver, Misano Red, Ebony Pearl, Goodwood Green, Daytona Gray and
Mugello Blue -- all available at no extra cost in pearl effect paint.
Badging mimics the simple styling philosophy of the RS 6. An RS 6 logo is
featured on the front grille and on the left side of the rear deck lid, while
the Audi trademark four rings are in the center of the rear deck lid and front
grille.
Style - Interior
The interior of the RS 6 speaks volumes about the uniqueness of this car.
From the RS 6 logo on the aluminum doorsill trim to the limited-edition
interior materials, the RS 6 offers one of the automotive world's most
stunning interiors. The sedan is available with either black or silver
leather seat upholstery with color-contrasting black or silver piping. An
additional styling cue is the RS 6 logo embossed in the seatbacks.
The backlit instrument cluster with automatic brightness control is
uniquely designed for the RS 6. The gauges feature white illumination and red
indicators for quick interpretation in all lighting conditions, while all
digital readouts are red for clarity and to aid night driving.
The three-spoke Sport steering wheel with RS 6 logo and the gearshift knob
are wrapped in perforated leather. The electrically adjustable tilt and
telescopic steering column has a tilt-away feature for ease of driver entry
and exit.
A matte-aluminum shifter surround and Gray Poplar wood trim on the dash,
along the door panels and on the full-length center console, add a warm
elegance to the cabin. The optional carbon-fiber trim exemplifies the quattro
GmbH high-tech heritage.
The List of Standards
Like every Audi, the RS 6 is impressively equipped, offering luxurious
appointments expected from a car of this caliber. A partial list of standard
RS 6 features includes: a six-disc in-dash Symphony II Radio with Radio
Broadcast Display System; Bose(R) 200-watt premium sound system with
subwoofer; Audi Telematics by OnStar(R); power glass slide/tilt sunroof with
sunshade; memory function for 12-way power front Sport seats with electric
lumbar support; and heated front and rear seats.
Safety Standards
The RS 6 provides these interior standards: Next-generation driver and
front passenger airbag supplemental restraints; front seat-mounted, side-
impact airbags; inflatable SIDEGUARD(TM) curtain airbags; front and rear
passenger safety belts with convertible locking retractors; child-safety rear
door locks; the Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) system in the
rear seat; and an emergency warning triangle in the trunk and first aid kit in
the rear armrest.
To aid driving safety, the RS 6 also comes standard with Xenon Plus high-
intensity, low- and high-beam discharge headlights; high-pressure headlight
washers that retract flush with the bumper; two front and two rear fog lights;
Parktronic(TM) Acoustic Parking System; red ambient LED lighting for better
night vision; and an anti-theft vehicle alarm system with blinking theft-
deterrent light and Immobilizer III transponder.
The Options
Power rear and manual side shades, carbon-fiber interior trim, rear seat-
mounted, side-impact airbags, an integrated Motorola(R) digital portable phone
with voice recognition, the Warm Weather Package, the Audi Navigation System,
a sound-enhancing exhaust system with black exhaust tips and a solar sunroof
are optional on the 2003 Audi RS 6.
