Mr. Reil, when did growth begin on the C5 (2002-2004), the first era RS 6?
The Audi RS program initially began in the mid-range. In 1999, we had simply began in the market with the Audi RS4 Avant (sequence B5) when the query arose: What might the relaxation of the portfolio seem like? The RS 6 in the C-segment – the luxurious class – was the subsequent logical step. The end result was that after creating the RS4, we concentrated absolutely on the RS 6 mission.
What does the first era signify for you personally?
Primitive achievement!Its biturbo V8 with 450 PS stands out for its superior efficiency. In phrases of energy, we needed that to right away create a major distinction from the S mannequin in the A6 sequence and the competitors. And we did that! When the RS 6 made its debut at the Geneva International Motor Show in the spring of 2002, its 450 PS put it at the high of the section. But on the different hand, that automobile was alleged to be a wolf in sheep’s clothes that may win folks over via understatement. I keep in mind a quote from Auto Motor und Sport. It mentioned,“It’s not ostentatious” and it has “as good as zero” stage presence. So our plan was working.
When there is alleged to be that a lot efficiency even in on a regular basis use, how do you take a look at that?
In the early part of every RS mannequin, we drive one of the first prototypes about 8,000 kilometers (4,970 miles) on the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring over about three weeks. Then, shortly earlier than that individual mannequin is offered to the world, we do this 8,000 kilometers once more with a pre-series automobile as half of the launch. What’s noteworthy about that is that the Nordschleife makes calls for on all kinds of parts in very alternative ways. There are actual difficulties in every particular person meter, like the compression in the Fuchsröhre part, the vibrations in the Caracciola-Karussell, or the soar at the Pflanzgarten. So one kilometer on the Ring is like as many as 15 kilometers of regular, on a regular basis use. There are additionally in depth winter assessments in Sweden and Finland. The identical additionally occurs in hotter areas, like in South Africa or Death Valley. We can even simulate these varieties of constraints in our climatic wind tunnel. Then there are additionally high-speed drives, which we do on the testing floor in Nardó, Italy, and mountain driving, together with on the Grossglockner in Austria. The prototypes are on the street nearly all over the place in the world!
Appropriately, the RS 6 made its market debut at the Nürburgring.
Yeah, we needed to present the RS 6 an aura of motorsports from the outset, so for its maiden voyage, 30 Audi sellers competed of their demonstration automobiles on a corso on the Nordschleife as half of the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring in entrance of 194,000 spectators. It was actually a powerful scene! And apropos of motorsports, in North America, the place the C5 was solely accessible as a sedan, it was used particularly for racing in the Speed GT class as half of the American Le Man Series (ALMS) program. Within 15 weeks, the Champion Racing group constructed the racing model, the RS 6 Competition, with our assist. The competitors automobile weighed 1,383 kilograms (3,049 lbs.) and its biturbo V8 had 475 PS.It used a guide six-gear transmission from the Audi S4. Randy Pobst was the champion proper in the first season. His teammate Michael Galati got here in second. It was an enormous success that impressively documented the potential of the biturbo V8 idea together with all-wheel drive.
Give us an image of what sequence manufacturing of the first RS 6 C5 seemed like.
About 80 % of the first RS 6 was constructed on the common A6 manufacturing line. But the components that had been developed particularly for the RS 6 – the skirts, sill extensions, or as an example the intercooler for the V8 – needed to be produced in a particular, complicated course of. So the automobiles had been nonetheless incomplete once they had been taken from the sequence manufacturing line to the quattro GmbH halls, the place we accomplished the precision handwork on the hydraulic elevate over about 15 hours. The technicians put in the intercoolers first, then the consumption system, after which the skirts and sills. And then lastly the wheels, which had been too vast for the common meeting line. We had been capable of end about 20 automobiles a day like that.
Let’s flip to the second era of the RS 6 C6 (2008-2010). Ten cylinders, two turbochargers, 580 PS: at the time, it was the strongest Audi of all!
With the C6, we had been exploring the limits of what was technically potential at the time. Its five-liter V10 is the greatest RS engine ever constructed and we constructed the ten-cylinder’s biturbo setup particularly for the RS 6. So in all, there have been three V10 variants at Audi. One variant drove the large sedans, the S6 and S8, and one other was for the R8 supercar and the Lamborghini Gallardo. We created the strongest new developments and the just one with turbochargers in the RS 6. We additionally built-in dry sump lubrication that we borrowed from racing, which steadily gave the engine extra oil throughout moments of excessive lateral acceleration. With its two turbochargers and manifolds, the V10 already appears like a piece of artwork. And it is highly effective. I don’t know of any engine compartment that is crammed higher than the one in the RS 6 C6.
From the philosophy of the large V10 drive system in the C6 to downsizing the C7 (2013-2018) to a V8: how did that come about?
In a sure means, the biggest energy of the C6 was additionally its biggest weak point. The monumental, heavy engine sat largely in entrance of the entrance axle. On a straightaway, it is nearly uncatchable. But the draw back of its axle load distribution turns into obvious on tight curves. So after we had been creating the third era of the RS 6, we targeted on higher lateral dynamics. We needed to make the C7 extra agile and we urgently needed to take off weight, significantly from the entrance axle. One profit was that every one the parts are made of aluminum in the base-model A6, which was primarily based on the modular longitudinal matrix (MLB), which was new at the time. The engine in the MLB is additionally additional again in the automobile. That, mixed with the lighter V8 engine in the new RS 6 of the C7 era, distributed the axle load a lot better. So regardless of having 20 PS lower than its predecessor, that automobile is quicker, sportier, and, due to cylinder deactivation, extra economical than the C6 in each means. The C7 was an enormous leap ahead for us, significantly in phrases of driving dynamics. Thanks to the improved weight distribution, the RS 6 was now capable of hug the curves and, due to launch management and a rapid-shifting eight-gear automated, the C7 raced to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.9 seconds, which is a superb half second quicker than its predecessor.
The DRC chassis is nonetheless being utilized in the RS 6 to this present day. What is its profit?
The DRC (Dynamic Ride Control) chassis is half of the DNA of the RS 6 and was utterly redeveloped at the time particularly for the C5. Its building with dampers linked diagonally through oil pipes reduces roll and pitch actions throughout dynamic driving. Since the C5 it has matured into a continuing in RS 6 historical past. It combines correct consolation with taut driving dynamics. DRC know-how has been in growth repeatedly. Since the C6, it has been mixed with adjustable dampers and it’s additionally accessible in as we speak’s C8 upon request. Starting with the C7 era, we additionally provide adaptive air suspension as a typical characteristic. Of course, for the RS 6, it has a sporty utility with 20 mm (0.79 in.) decrease journey peak and a binding setup that is nonetheless good for on a regular basis use.
Let’s discuss the current era RS 6, the C8. The seemingly eccentric C8 seems to have solely a bit of bit in frequent with the former “wolf in sheep’s clothing,” don’t you assume?
Yes, that’s true.With the C8 era, the RS 6 outwardly makes a transparent distinction with the base mannequin. For occasion, we’ve widened the wheel arches by 4 centimeters (1.6 in.) every, the oval tailpipe trim is 33 % larger than its predecessor, and the rim diameter has grown by as much as 22 % with the possibility. Incidentally, its flat Matrix LED Headlights come from the RS 7. In order to make that potential, we now have additionally applied an impartial hood for the RS 6. In all, the RS 6 of the C8 era solely takes three outer pores and skin parts from the base mannequin A6 Avant. All different exterior parts have been modified and are RS-specific.Depending on the buyer’s wants, it’s potential to determine whether or not an RS 6 must be roughly of an understatement primarily based on quite a few exterior and inside gear variants and visible in addition to design packages. This changeability, coupled with a excessive diploma of on a regular basis usability, is one other vital ingredient of the RS 6 DNA. The C8 is additionally the first RS 6 to come back as a 48 volt gentle hybrid. A belt alternator starter (BAS) replaces the alternator. It has an extra electrical system with 48 volts and its personal battery. While coasting or braking, it generates extra power than a traditional generator. In each different state of affairs, it places much less pressure on the engine. When it made its world premiere, the RS 6 was the first and solely gentle hybrid know-how in its section. With the current C8 era, the RS 6 is additionally accessible as an Avant in North America for the first time. So it has grown right into a worldwide success story on many ranges. For me, it’s the crowning achievement of two decades of RS historical past.
