4 Minutes
Audi is preparing a bold response to BMW's M5 Touring with a thoroughly revised RS 6 Avant due for the 2027 model year. Spotted repeatedly during high-speed testing, the latest prototypes show a car that looks production-ready and promises to push the boundaries of the executive performance estate segment once again.
Design and Chassis
Exterior treatment
The latest test mules were captured wearing full camouflage, but key elements such as the final front and rear bumpers and lighting appear to be near production specification. The RS-specific aggressive styling language is unmistakable — wide wheel arches, muscular shoulders and the signature dual oval exhaust outlets at the rear remain. Spy shots also highlight two distinct wheel options: black multi-spoke alloys on one prototype and silver five-spokes on the other, both paired with large brake calipers and discs.
Structure and platform
Beneath the bodywork the RS 6 Avant benefits from a stiffer, performance-focused chassis upgrade compared with the regular A6. The new-gen A6 entered production at Audi's Neckarsulm plant and shares architecture elements with the third-generation Q5 crossover, but the RS variant receives bespoke suspension tuning, higher-spec brakes and reinforced underpinnings to cope with higher outputs and track use.
Powertrain and Performance
From V8 to electrified V6
Audi's current RS 6 Avant Performance packs a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 producing 621 bhp (630 ps / 463 kW) and 627 lb-ft (850 Nm) of torque. For 2027 Audi is expected to phase out the traditional V8 in favor of an electrified V6 PHEV setup. Early estimates suggest a combined system output north of 725 hp, positioning the new RS 6 Avant squarely against the BMW M5 Touring in terms of raw power.
Performance benchmark
BMW's M5 Touring uses a potent PHEV V8 that develops around 717 hp (727 ps / 535 kW) and rockets to 60 mph (97 kph) in roughly 3.2 seconds — about a tenth quicker than the outgoing RS 6. Audi's target will likely be to match or better those sprint figures while improving fuel efficiency and emissions through electrification.
Market Positioning and Strategy
Audi intends the RS 6 Avant to remain the flagship performance estate in its lineup, aimed at buyers who want supercar pace with everyday practicality. The decision to retain the RS 6 Avant name follows a short-lived internal renaming experiment where Audi considered odd/even numeric naming for ICE and EV models. The change was reverted to avoid customer confusion, so the familiar RS 6 Avant badge will appear on the new model.
Comparisons and Competitive Context
The 2027 RS 6 Avant will be measured against the BMW M5 Touring, which reignited interest in the super estate segment. Key comparison points will include:
- Powertrain architecture: Audi’s electrified V6 PHEV vs BMW’s PHEV V8
- 0–60 mph and lap-time performance
- Chassis dynamics, steering feel and braking performance
- Practicality: cargo volume, rear passenger space and daily usability
Specifications (expected)
- Powertrain: Electrified V6 (PHEV) with combined output >725 hp (estimated)
- Previous benchmark: 4.0L twin-turbo V8 — 621 bhp (630 ps / 463 kW) and 627 lb-ft (850 Nm)
- 0–60 mph: Target to match or better M5 Touring’s ~3.2 seconds
- Production base: Neckarsulm, Germany; shared architecture with new-gen A6/Q5
What to expect next
Audi continues development with winter and Nürburgring testing, suggesting a formal reveal ahead of the 2027 model-year introduction. Expect final production-spec wheels and lights to be revealed with the official launch, along with full technical specs, performance data and pricing.
For enthusiasts and buyers seeking a high-speed, practical estate, the 2027 RS 6 Avant promises to be one of the segment’s most compelling offerings, trading raw performance, modern electrification and daily usability against rivals like the BMW M5 Touring.
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