24 Jan 05
Truth is, Audi couldn't have made the dampers any firmer - not with 35-profile tyres all round, at least. On the optional sports suspension, the ride's borderline acceptable for a car of this type. The standard RS6 is better, while (from memory) the latest M5 is better still; but the RS6 is one of several late Audis that have a ride and handling balance promising the latter at the expense of the former, but failing to deliver satisfactory levels of either. The RS6 plus's ride is sometimes harsh, while at nearly two-tonnes, it's never going to feel agile. It does have high grip levels though and steers with satisfactory precision, if devoid of much involvement. But B-roads and track days are not its - nor any other 1,865 kg estate car's - forte.
Smooth motorways or sweeping fast roads are more the RS6's thing, where it at least has (heated) seat comfort, good noise insulation, a superb sound system and an 82-litre fuel tank on its side. Even then, bear in mind that in-gear acceleration is best provided the Tiptronic gearbox is left in a specific gear rather than Drive, because in the time it takes the RS6 to rev and kick down, a following modern turbodiesel will already be impatiently baying to pass (though there's satisfaction to be gained in the ensuing seconds as they recede rapidly in the rear-view).
So, is it the ultimate sporting estate? In that it has superb seats, high grip levels and astonishing depths to its performance and can still carry the kids and the dog, yes. But bear in mind that a car with this performance will always demand some compromise: at the thick end of seventy thousand quid and with that borderline ride, the RS6 plus is still an indulgence.
