To all the car manufacturers looking in the comments. It’s not that hard! I will give you a list. No piano black inside the car. No touch screens for essentials. No hard plastics on reachable areas. No resetting the previous drive mode on restart. No dramatic warnings on displays and by sound every two minutes for lowish washer fluid. No ping and bongs when I have the drivers door open. No fake vents. No fake exhaust. No water intrusion in the headlights at delivery. No cheap tires on track friendly models. There you go, probably the worlds best car! Pls add something that annoys you so the developers can take notes.

I am definatley getting old and turning into my dad. The price of cars is just utterly crazy. a hundred grand! what?

This is very good review. He is spot on regarding the options, and the touch screen (and the other things)

You're spot on James! I had one of these on order (would have been my 8th new Audi). I paid my deposit before they launched the UK configurator. So I spec'd mine using the DE configurator - exactly as I wanted it. When Audi UK tried to submit the order, Audi Germany rejected it and said it must be spec'd with the now launched UK configurator. Given how limiting the choices were for the UK, I cancelled my order, thinking I'd just by an ex demo car - then I never bothered as the spec is so poor on all cars I've seen... Shame.

"Nobody bought one" "What went wrong?" As a German that surprised me because here they sold like Bratwurst and Weißbier, in fact, after 2 years now, you see these new RS6 everywhere. I guess in the UK they didn't sell well because as i've been told, they were even rare at big Audi Dealers in the UK and then there of course is the whole right-hand drive thing, which means UK Dealers can't just buy & trade Audi RS6 from the rest of europe unless they got customers that don't mind left-hand drive. Kinda like selling a right-hand drive UK Model of any Car in Germany, even if it's Aston Martin or Jaguar is nearly impossible unless you offer it for way below normal price. High Performance "Wagons" or as we call them in Germany "Kombi" are insanely popular, especially Audi RS ones. Just earlier today i drove to Frankfurt am Main on Business and i saw 3x of this model of Audi RS6. Seeing upper Models of BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz is very common in Frankfurt am Main, hell, Frankfurt is probably the only big city i've been to where you see more Porsche than anything else, must be all the midlife crisis Bankers. Nah but seriously, from all the High Performance Wagons, Audi RS6 are the most common, why? I'm not sure, i guess People who buy AMG, M and RS Wagons prefer the more sporty/aggressive look of the RS6, but i always found it interesting how far ahead in popularity the RS6 is over the AMG and M Wagons.

Regarding Audi Exclusive, when I was ordering a brand new RS3 back in 2018 I couldn’t express my interest enough to the dealer in my interest in making some changes to the car via Audi Exclusive, they couldn’t be less interested. The salesman even went and ‘had a phone call’ with someone at Audi and they apparently wouldn’t let me. Maybe it’s a dealer issue, or maybe Audi UK don’t care, but either way I wasn’t impressed.

I learnt a lot from Jay's review. I like the look of the C8, but having listened to Jay's report I am more inclined than before to stick with my awsome C7 RS6.

Love this car- dream estate for long journeys imo.

Very nice car. Completely agree about physical buttons for HVAC. Really sad that the top version do not get the same features as other countries. They definitely should not have had so many spec versions. Nice video. Keep up the good work.

Do they still fit the magnetic front bumper, or does the adaptive cruise control now keep Audis 12" from the car in front?

Great video, James. Super informative and absolutely hits the nail on the head. Thanks

Videos like this are what put this channel above others. Great content 👍

A really great video as always and a really, really nice car. Your points on specification differences between the UK and Europe are so right. When I bought by first Q7, I managed to spec the HUD as a one off selectable item. When it came to trade that in and buy another Q7, Audi changed this and you could only get the HUD by specifying the Vorsprung model which contained a whole load of stuff I didn't want plus an unreal cost as well. Upon taking to Audi UK, they said this was down to Audi UK specifying what options they wanted UK folks to have. When I checked the Audi Germany website, it allowed the HUD as an individually selectable option. Crazy stuff. Audi need to get real and stop driving folks down these pre-set specs that force you into pre-set packs - no doubt done to make it easier to build.

Great review, great content and honest review on all the motors you do👍🏻

Here in switzerland the RS6 is extremely popular. Every 4th RS6 sold globally is sold in switzerland, which is crazy as this is a tiny country. Personally, I prefer the previous generation, it has the nice exterior and interior

Now BMW and Merc are doing AWD, what is the selling point of the RS6?

Thank you for a genuinely informative review James. Special thanks for avoiding the words:- Game changing Mad Chaos Cash etc…

You get a “Like” just for the “Push It To The Limit” music choice. Great content as always! I used to whine that they didn’t sell the RS6 in the USA, and I said if they brought it here, I’d buy one. Well now it’s here and guess what… I don’t have one. Would be a great third car, but not at full retail..

35 years in Switzerland..never experienced a blackout....the English must be used to the inconvenience by now...amazing....keep up the good work bud!

The whole screen-and-touch-controls-for-everything is deeply unintuitive and potentially dangerous in use, because of the amount of times you have to take your eyes off the road. I can't help thinking that one of the major reasons for the move is cost saving by the manufacturers. Since modern cars don't have levers to directly control the HVAC, it's all done by servomotors, the buttons can easily be replaced by a touchscreen controlling the various servos. Engineering and producing buttons, with tiny springs, individual lights and robust switches capable of a lifetime's use, in a shape that sits harmoniously within a swoopy modern dashboard, is costly. PS. James - can you set your interior camera to manual focus, please - the AF hunting as you talk is distracting.

As always a great honest review .

Fantastic video in terms of content. I’ve been looking at the 2nd market for these for a while and there’s tons of them for sale! But you’re right your comment on “how many have you seen on the road” made me wonder (I agree I haven’t seen many). I think the price is the main factor: the equivalent age/spec E63 are in the £70ks against 90-100k for the Audi.

Excellent concise review as always from the best guy!

What a fantastic review, cheers James.

Hi James, Another quality presentation. Some months ago you had a dark green 986 in your possession and indicated you would be doing a few videos on this car as an entry level sports car which represents good value. Very interested to see this car featured. I have a 2004 model in your favourite colour of silver and have lots of fun using it as a weekender. Keep up the great content. Regards Phil

And Germany loves you, man. Greetings actually FROM the Black Forest!

A bit of individual flair suits pretty much any car, expensive ones as well as cheaper ones. It feels more like your very specific own car, which is a great feeling and if you make tastefull choices, you normally shouldn't have more difficulty selling it later on. Much appreciated, that point you make there. I also appreciate the RS6 very much, but yeah ... very expensive.

I know it’s not the same car but a new base RS4 when it came out in 2018 was only £56k, now they’ve dramatically increased in price in the last 4 years. Prices have gone crazy.

Got to be honest I was obsessed with this car when it came out and read every single road test including yours which actually led me to become a subscriber on your channel so not all bad. The fact is the Interior or audis has gone down hill since the TT and the R8 and the RS6 looks so much like all the cheaper models inside. Where s all the beautiful stitching like Porsche do, some standout colours which are RS6 only. I followed them in the classifieds and always knew they were going to plummet as it just wasn't really good enough. Plus for the money your choice is endless and today you would definately buy a porsche taycan cross turismo instead as it is faster better styled and way more interesting!

Totally agree about the touch controls for the most common things such as cabin temp. When it first came out on the Velar I found it ridiculously distracting and over complicated !

A year late but i just bought a 14 plate C7 RS6. Car life goal achieved!!!!

US buyer here. We're trading our E63 Estate (RWD) in on the RS6 that we placed a deposit on last year. We had no issues with getting Audi Exclusive options from our dealer including the paint color. I'm glad we finally get the opportunity to own a RS6 stateside.

This is your best work.

I have a tango red 22’ every option. I’ve done Ecu exhaust intakes >750hp & LOVEEEEE IT! Best car and I get more compliments at gas stations than even my McLaren spider! 23k so far 0 issues. Prior daily was a 730hp 2015 RS7 did 62k never in shop once.

Extremely good review, very comprehensive. Btw why’s the EML light on James?

11:54, information such as this is what makes these videos stand out compared to the others on the net. Not only is it informative to the consumers , but also to people who are just curious. 👍

I’ve the C7 S6 Avant. It ticks all the boxes especially given I have basic dials for the heating controls!

A very timely review. Sam from STG has just bought one.

Completely agree about tactile controls for common functions.

those dual screens inside are an absolute deal breaker for me.. in any car. unacceptable. the e63s is prettier anyway

Great balanced review as always James. 👍 Totally agree about preferring a twiddly knob for heat/fans. I’ve found with the touchscreens that I am twice as likely to do the opposite of what I am trying to control and then craning my neck to try to put it right with eyes off the road. So I just don’t attempt HVAC tweaks whilst in motion - but have learnt some voice controls to do some things - is voice the way the manufacturers expect them to be used whilst driving? Or at the price of the RS6 do Audi think owners will employ a co-driver to work the touchscreens?

Great review as always James. As you alluded to there are a number of factors, pandemic being one of them. These just don't sell in times of crisis, C6 V10 RS6 was affected badly by the financial crash, try and find a C6 saloon! But add to that; 1/Price point 2/not seen as a significant upgrade to the C7/7.5 whereas up until that time there was a significant improvement either in performance and / or dynamics in each generation 3/increased competition not only from other marques but also internally in RSQ8, R8 (for some) 4/ in competition form other marques, from a performance perspective the RS6 is lacking and it only trumps in aesthetics and build quality but more than any other reason, Audi UK's and it franchisees attitude to selling. Try and get a test drive, you couldn't. Yet they want people to walk in to a dealership, part with over £100k (finance or not) without even driving the car. They pander after the credit generation who buy on a whim and dispose of their cars like toilet paper and forget their core customer base which why they've only sold around 1,000 of them. Also add to that and again as you said, the C7 was and still is a fantastic car and more than a match, so why pay £50K plus more for this? When it came out with 600PS, less than the C7.5 Performance and a muted tone so many were disappointed. It should have been so much better than it is and genuinely is one of those replacements that couldn't fill the shoes of the predecessor.

As someone who owns a 2012 Audi Avant ( had it 3 years done 30K and cost under £6K) with no issues i would based on 26:08 my experience buy another Audi but even if funds permitted the latest version of the RS6 is just too aggressive looking and sadly all that mass of black plastic on the grill looks cheap and reminds me of plastic milk crates or plastic stacker boxes! Excellent video really well balanced and for those lucky enough to buy one new or used everything you need to know is covered.

Haha the vid of the grey rs6 was just in my city, was very excited to see it😄

I’ve been fortunate enough to have a passenger ride in one with a fast driver and it’s an unbelievable car. It literally is the perfect all rounder with so much equipment, space etc. and the performance is incredible, it actually makes you laugh. You wouldn’t believe you were travelling in a 2 ton estate car. I’ve got an S4 myself but the difference is performance is vast from a “quick” car to an RS6. I can’t imagine what it would feel like to go from a normal car to an RS6. All the statistics and drag races show the RS6 is slower than the E63S or F90 M5 competition, so goodness knows what they must be like.

Cool way of introducing your partners at the start. V innovative.

Brilliant review! It appears Sam from Seen Thru Glass has just bought one!

Great video, totally agree with touch screen too fiddly for basic controls. For that sort of money should have the best spec

..........so. I know someone who had one of these, OH DEAR OH DEAR OH DEAR. Your vid JayEmm, puts "things" into a whole new perspective.

Next door neighbour has had his for approx 18 months . Been back to Audi several times for quality issues e.g leaking sunroof and paint peeling in places. He was a long term Audi customer

James another truly enjoyable video. Informative with a sprinkling of humour. Thank you. Please don't get rich and bugger off to America. We need you.

I disagree, I see a fair few of them about on the roads. I definitely see more of them than the E63 estate

I've seen numerous RS6's around the greater Chicagoland area since it came out😎 Just yesterday I saw one on the used car lot at a Jaguar dealership in Hinsdale...with ALL SILVER rims, not those ugly ones most have....AND it's in what I call "Light Battleship Gray"🔥🔥🔥🔥

Spot on review, I also think along with the extreme new design as opposed to the reserved Rs6 look which put off traditional Rs6 buyers, as rapid as this car may be, it has been shown time and time again to have been out performed by its competitors M5 Comp and E63S. Rs6 once stood above its competitors in its class as the M3 does in own its class, and this generation Rs6 simply didn’t. Mighty impressive car either way anyone would dream of owning.

6:39 so glad someone has pointed out about the peculiarity of the Audi specs list James. I've been looking at used E-Tron and ever since it was launched, Audi has slowly been eroding away the spec of the car. I'll give you an example, beginning of 2021, the dealers offloaded their 19 reg demo cars (these were all either grey or galaxy blue colour, cream leather interior with ventilated seats, tour pack, ambient lighting, 30 camera, B&O, standard 20" 5 spoke alloys) because Audi had removed a lot of the options that these were fitted with from the spec list. Many of the earlier cars also came with the comfort seats, which they no longer offer here in the UK. But from what I understand in many other countries they still offer these. I know in the US if you spec one with the prestige package or something, you can still get these. It just doesn't make sense!!! Sure it's more effort to account for different specs for different countries on the same assembly line rather than having just one assembly line and allowing people from all countries where they sell to get the equipment they want? Honestly, when I'm hopefully financially in a position to be able to afford a brand new car, I think I'll go for a Mercedes as it's simple.....AMG Line with premiums plus package.....and voila, you know you've got pretty much a fully loaded car.

Kick ass review

RS6 in Java Green, Nogaro Blue or Sonoma Orange with duotone black-cream full-leather interior would be tasty.

I think you may need to view the latest tyre comparison tests to update your judgement of Hangkooks. I put the best tyres available on my cars and have Michelin Pilot Sport 4S on my XKR for the summer and the factory spec Pirellis for the winter. But for my Lexus nx300h, which needed a new set of Winter tyres this last season (legal requirement where I live), I did my research at length and bought the latest Hangkooks. They were excellent and by the way, not cheap!

15:08 Ahhhhh the classic engine management light from Audi. Classic.

I’d rather have a Panamera GTS or an E63S over the RS6. Still an amazing car but doesn’t match the competition in my point of view

Interesting video; maybe people are going electric instead? My Father just got his brand new Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo this week. He did decide to go with white/grey exterior colour and a crayon leather interior. Although, Porsche allow you to have an exact specification and not packs.

Fascinating!!!

There’s actually 3 new RS6 on my school run and another 2 in the town. I’ve also got a Navarra Blue one too. However as mine has had 8 separate issues and been in the dealership 14 times in 17 months I would recommend buying anything but. It’s my first and last Audi.

There is a fierce competition between tyre companies for the contract of supplying a new model. Hankook on the Audi, Nankang on the Cayenne are just a few examples of how far the "lower tier" brand companies have come in recent years in development. It is also easy to discard a brand without realising that they're capability of producing a premium tyre has nothing to do with the market they ususally aim to fulfill. Having worked in the industry for a while now, I have seen brands like Kumho or Cooper beat Michelin and Continental when they are aiming for it. Producing that kind quality across the range of all tyres is a different story all together. Thanks for pointing at the topic.

Jay drinks Thatchers cider was my biggest insight here 😄

I never knew this car didn’t sell well, in Birmingham I’ve seen quite a few of them

So happy that you mentioned the lack of customisation on posh Audis. Some AMGs aren't any better. With these cars, you're often restricted to a handful of colours and a few interior options (mostly, if not entirely, black or grey). I often fail to see why; surely people with £100k to spend on a car would want customisation, and surely manufacturers would want to offer more customisation to appeal to customers willing to spend the extra cash? I'm sure it's easier said than done, but they should take a leaf out of Porsche's book. Exclusive/PTS colours are now more available than ever and actually help the car both stand out on the used market and resist depreciation. Even expensive BMWs offer more customisation options and it allows cars to look different between each other. I'm glad it's not just me who is finding fast Audis looking all too similar in terms of spec.

Interesting perspective as always. I have to agree completely that Audi have totally lost the plot when it comes to trim levels and options, especially in the UK for some reason. I don’t agree on the screens though, have no issue adjusting settings on the go and often use voice control for HVAC. Some of the functions have virtual buttons such as heated seats so it is pretty much the same as using a physical button. I think Audi should have gone further power wise, hopefully there will be a plus version but all things considered, I would not say no if Audi ever comes up with a competitive finance package again.

Couldn't agree more with having to take you eyes off the road for essential controls!

I ordered an 8Y RS3 in Vorsprung for the same reason it is really disappointing that the European models across the ranges don't get the same styling packs. having real heater controls is a really important feature. If you want to see plenty of RS6 come to Hereford!

I do love my Audi, but I also keep feeling frustrated when looking at buying a new model. Reversing camera an option? A very basic mood lighting an option... Digital dash and option. What's next? Delivered pre-assembled an option?

Push it to the limit is the soundtrack I listen to before I go on track! Gets you pumped up. Or alternatively, Indestructible by Disturbed.

Have watched your videos for years jay, if your ever in North Scotland I'd he happy for you to have a go in my E46 clubsport. Revisit your original petrol head car.

Good flow with your reviews. Nice car, with terrible exhaust. Love the speed and capability though.

How did you get air suspension and the sunroof together? I planned to buy an RS6 in 2021. I wanted comfort&sound pack for keyless, plus sunroof, towbar, and air suspension as its a family cruiser. You can't spec keyless and towbar, you cant spec sunroof without the vorsprung model and that cant have the air susp. Then theres the stupid screen for the heater etc. Great car badly through through by Audi.

I own the C7 facelift RS6, never a day goes by that this car doesn't make me smile and feel alive. As far as mods go its very much standard apart from a remap which sees around 700BHP and 1000nM or Torque, as for the ZF 8 speed I have no issues at all. Down shifts are rapid with the added rev matching provided for you, plenty of crackles on the overrun and power delivery is, well, from all points on across the whole RPM range very well balanced. In terms of overall performance, well it is simply amazing, leave it in comfort mode and it drives like an A8 executive car, however put in dynamic and its a complete raging psychopath that just wants to try and take off like a Tornado fighter jet - Ergo there is very little on the roads, at least here in the North East of England that can match it in terms of, well everything. My only gripe, well more of a concern is the fact that the 4L V8 uses oil, however according to Audi and various Audi forums, this is quite normal and the Haldex-esque rear differential although extremely clever how its, is another expensive maintenance item. All in all I am thrilled with the car in every aspect, coming from an Insignia VXR Sports Tourer to the RS6 is quite simply incomparable, the VXR was very quick boasting 370BHP and 600nM and all wheel drive, however comparing the VXR with the RS6 is a bit like comparing apples and oranges.

Agree on the air suspension, seems a must on a huge performance estate

Enjoyable review, first RS6 that hasn't appealed to me

What a god tier vehicle. So much want, only in dreams.

Always manage too find an empty can too feature in a cheeky drive by shot😂👀

I won't lie James, there's been loads here in the Midlands since it went on sale, so I always presumed it did 'well'. Perhaps you've just not seen a lot of cars in your local area? I've personally seen endless Levantes, new shape Vantages etc. which you previously mentioned in other videos.

Here in the Netherlands you can see quite a lot RS6 on the road. Beside of that I liked the "old" Version better in terms of design. I guess one of it`s problems in the UK is maybe the E-Class Estate made by AMG. Seems they sell better on the big Island.

Odd you say nobody has bought one because I see three different ones regularly around where I live (city centre Manchester). I'm not saying you're wrong, just amused that they the few sold seem to have been bought here. What does amaze me still, each time I see one is how cartoonishly large the wheels are and how big the damn thing is. A look I like a lot.

I think maybe the now relatively small performance gap between the likes of Civic Type R, BMW 140,Golf R ,A45 not to mention the S4,S6 etc.Alot cheaper and arguably more fun.

Hey Jayemm, have you had a go on the new Flying Spur yet? My folks just placed their order for the V8 version and was curious if you had any thoughts on the newish range. Thanks.

Excellent review, Jay. You’ve become one of the most reliable and trusted car journalists out there! Such a shame all these expensive car interiors are just full of screens instead of reliable and safer buttons controls. Just goes to show the importance of the quote, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”

Always proper reviews. Great stuff. Please give a lesson on reviews to some others who own an RS6 and bang on about them constantly being the best “daily driver” with no real substance.

I find the new RS6 too shouty looks wise (I drive a debadged Alpina B5 which does the fast stealth thing v. well) but a friend has one which has an Exclusive interior and exterior. Exterior is in Porsche Oak Green Metallic and the interior in a mix of leather & alcantara in lovely and unusual mid brown. It’s fantastic. As for popularity I can confirm the comment below about how common they are here in Switzerland. I read they account for over 10% of all Audi A6 sales and if anything that felt low. My friend is Italian.

Save up for the Vorsprung model. Had it 6 weeks before it was nicked. Yes, it had a tracker fitted but when they gain entry to your house is it worth it?

You are totally right, while objectively this should be a great vehicle, as a car it does not stir any emotions. It looks great, but it is not beautiful. Simply too Germanic.

Interesting speed limit. I once had a test drive in a C5 RS6 tuned to 507PS and that also hit a limiter at around 174mph. Gotta love test drives from an Audi dealer next to an Autobahn 😂

Seen quite a few in my part of NW London - along with loads or Uruses.

my neighbour has one of these, went for a passenger ride and it felt as big and heavy as my transit van. id rather see some weight savings/shrinkage than just throwing power at the car

So odd that I've seen more McLaren GTs than RS6s! Sam bought a wonderfully spec'd one, when are we going to see you on his podcast!?!

Trim levels are an issue with the RS3. The UK configurator for RS3 hardly has any optional extras especially for the interior. The german configurator has loads of options for the RS3 not available in the UK.

Hey bro good to se you

There's a Nardo Grey one somewhere in my area, it looks and sounds mint... yet, I see more McLaren GTs

My Aunty still has her C5 rs6. Had about 3 gearbox rebuilds 😂

You should come to St Albans they are every where.

Theres a black Vorsprung model on a 20 reg just up the road from me (Leicestershire)