At the 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show,->ke235 Audi->ke14 unveiled the 2016 S8 Plus, a beefed-up sedan with 605 horsepower at its disposal and a 0-to-62 sprint that leaves behind not only the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG, but also prominent sports cars->ke506 such as the Aston Martin Vanquish or the BMW M4. As we move closer to 2016, Audi took the same drivetrain and dropped it in the RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback. Unlike the S8, however, the RS6->ke1305 and RS7->ke3727 didn't receive a "Plus" badge. Instead, they were launched using "Performance" monikers.

Naming aside, the RS6 Avant Performance marks the return of Audi's high-performance wagon after an 11-year hiatus. Offered in a limited run between April and September 2004, the RS6 Plus had an engine that was developed and manufactured by Cosworth and took to the streets with an impressive 476 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque on tap.

More importantly, the RS6 Performance arrives ten years after Audi discontinued the RS2 Avant, the brand's first RS-badged vehicle. The RS2 was co-developed with Porsche->ke1, and its turbocharged, five-cylinder engine generated 315 horsepower. A little more than a decade has passed since then and Audi's high-performance wagon->ke143 has nearly doubled its output. Find out more below.

Updated 11/16/2015: Audi dropped a first promo video for its latest RS6 Avant Performance. Enjoy!

Continue reading to learn more about the Audi RS 6 Avant Performance.

Exterior

Much like the Plus models before it, the RS6 Avant Performance gained subtle visual enhancements over the less powerful RS6 Avant. Since the latter was updated for the 2015 model year, the Performance model also received the sharper front grille, the darker chrome finish, and the revised headlamps and taillights that came with the facelift.

Other than that, the RS6 Avant Performance gained only a couple of exclusive features, such as a new set of 21-inch, cast aluminum wheels and the Ascari Blue exterior paint. Speaking of colors, the wagon can be had in ten body paints, including Daytona Gray, Floret Silver, Glacier White, Misano Red, Mythos Black, Nardo Gray, Panther Black, Prism Silver, and Sepang Blue. Additionally, customers will be able to choose between an array of custom paint finished from Audi Exclusive.

Interior

Much like the exterior, the interior was carried over from the standard RS6 Avant. As a result of that, the wagon is equipped with bolstered sports seats that have integrated head restraints, a custom instrument cluster with black faces, white dials, and red needles, a three-spoke, leather wrapped steering wheel, and a power-retractable display for the MMI navigation system. Other standard features include four-zone automatic air conditioning, MMI navigation plus with MMI touch and the Audi sound system.

Optional features range from a head-up display and the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System to various driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control with night vision assistant and Audi connect.

Specific Performance features include new seat upholstery in an Alcantara and leather with a honeycomb pattern and matching contrasting stitching on the armrests, control elements and floor mats, Alcantara knee pads, and carbon twill blue inlays made from carbon-fiber interwoven with a blue thread.

Cargo capacity remains unchanged from the RS6 Avant, meaning the Performance model offers 564 liters (20 cubic feet) of cargo room with the seats up and 1,680 liters (59.3 cubic feet) with the rear seats folded flat.

Drivetrain

Just like the S8 Plus, it's the drivetrain that makes the RS6 Avant Performance special. Motivation comes from the same twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V-8 found in the full-size sedan, meaning no less than 605 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque (553 pound-feet with the overboost function) are being sent to all four corners. Power has been increased by 45 horses over the standard RS6 Avant, while torque remained the same. The maximum rpm has also been increased by 200 revs, with maximum output now available between 6,100 and 6,800 rpm.

The overboost function is activated automatically under full load if the drivetrain is set to “dynamic” mode. The boost pressure indicator in the RS menu turns red when the overboost is ready to deliver the extra 37 pound-feet of twist.

The RS6 Avant Performance is not just incredibly powerful, but astoundingly quick too. Sprint from 0 to 62 mph takes only 3.7 seconds now, making it two tenths of a second quicker than the standard RS wagon and a tenth second faster than the S8 Plus. The 0-to-124 mph has also been improved, now taking only 12.1 seconds versus 13.5 ticks. Top speed is limited to 155 mph, but Audi says it can be increased to 174 mph by request and to 189 mph with the Dynamic package.

Despite being as quick and powerful as a sports car, the Performance consumes only 9.6 liters of gasoline per 100 km (about 24.5 U.S. mpg) due to its cylinder on demand system, which deactivates four of the eight cylinders at low to moderate load and engine speed, thus running as a four-pot until the driver presses firmly on the gas pedal.

Just like in the standard RS6 Avant, the V-8 mates to an eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox. Audi says the transmission has been designed for maximum sportiness and that all gear changes are fast and flexible. Naturally, the drivetrain also includes a Quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system. Optionally, Audi will combine the Quattro with a rear-axle sport differential.

Stopping power comes from lightweight, ventilated brake discs that measure 15.4 inches front and rear, and use six-piston calipers. Carbon-ceramic discs that reduce the car's curb weight by an additional 22 pounds are available.

Drivetrain Specifications

Safety

The RS6 Avant Performance comes with the same safety features as the standard model, including front airbags with passenger deactivation, front side airbags, curtain airbags, and seat belt monitoring. Other systems include Audi Parking Plus, tire pressure loss indication, ESC, hill-hold assist, ABS, ASR, and electronic differential lock.

Prices

Pricing for the RS6 Avant Performance starts from €117,000 (about $130,300) in Germany, which represents a €7,000 (around $7,800) premium over the standard RS6 Avant. Unfortunately, since the latter isn't sold in the United States, the Performance version won't cross the pond either.

Competition

Mercedes-AMG E63 S

With BMW no longer offering a wagon version of the M5, the E63 AMG remains the only vehicle capable to compete against the RS6 Avant Performance. Powered by a turbocharged, 5.5-liter V-8, the E63 S comes with 576 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque on tap. Although it's significantly less powerful than the Audi, the Merc benefits from an extra 74 pound-feet of torque, which enables it to be as quick as the RS6 Avant when equipped with AWD. The sprint fro 0 to 62 mph takes 3.7 seconds, while top speed comes in at 155 mph. Pricing for the E63 S starts from €121,667 (about $135,330, which makes it a bit more expensive than the Audi.

Find out more about the Mercedes-AMG E63 S here.

Conclusion

When a wagon cranks out nearly as much horsepower as a Lamborghini Huracan, you know it means business. If you're looking for a fast and powerful grocery getter, it doesn't get any better than this. Sure, the AMG E63 S packs a lot of grunt and it's equally quick from 0 to 62, but you can't get cocky about having more than 600 horsepower under your right foot in the Merc.

Performance and reasoning aside, the RS6 Avant Performance could also mean the beginning of a new era for Audi. According to its specs, this muscle wagon is a Plus model, but the Germans don't want to call it that. With the S8 and SQ5 having already received Plus versions, it made sense for all similar models to wear the same badge, but it seems as if Audi wants to either replace the Plus with Performance or use two monikers for the same type of car. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens.