2003 Audi RS 6 Review and Specs

Summary

What Edmunds.com says

A worthy opponent for the BMW M5 and upcoming Mercedes-Benz E55, the RS 6 has something its peers don't -- four driven wheels to manage its prodigious output.

Pros

Stupendous performance, sumptuous interior, long list of features, standard all-wheel drive.

Cons

Costs thousands more than the M5, can't get a manual transmission.

What's New for 2003

The Audi RS 6 sedan is the product of a joint effort between Audi and its tuning division, quattro GmbH, and will be the fastest Audi to reach U.S. shores thus far. It will offer a considerably higher level of performance than the S6 Avant introduced last year, largely because two turbochargers will be affixed to its 4.2-liter V8, resulting in 450 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, slotting it in between the BMW M5 and the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E55 -- just where Audi wants to be. Quattro GmbH also made a number of chassis upgrades to manage all this power -- highlights include the debut of Dynamic Ride Control, which uses hydraulics to adjust damping during cornering, an even stiffer suspension than the S6's, a quicker steering ratio and a new brake system. Indeed, it's a good time to be a wealthy enthusiast.

Consumer Ratings & Reviews

Truly a beast

Written by: Justin on 05/10/2006

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	5	Exterior Design:	10

Vehicle

2003 Audi RS 6 4dr Sedan (4.2L 8cyl 5A)

Review

I started driving about three years ago, just as the RS6 came to the U.S. I received an A6 2.8 for my first car, a loved the way the car drove. Recently, I have become obsessed with owning an RS6; so I purchased one. This car is amazing; it handles corners in the wet like no other family sedan, and it will lay waste to most Porsches and Ferraris. I hate putting the miles on my RS6, but it is so fun to drive, I have to take it out of the garage at least once a week. It truly is a beast of a car.

Favorite Features

My favorite features are the F1 styled gear shifters located on the steering wheel, and the carbon fiber trim with the brushed aluminum surface.

Suggested Improvements

This car cannot be improved (Put a pair of wings on it and it might fly away).

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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most exciting car I've ever owned!

Written by: RandyC on 01/26/2006


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	6	Exterior Design:	10

I've owned and loved '67 Austin Cooper S, '95 Mercedes C36 AMG, '01 Audi S6, and '03 Audi S8, but this RS6 Is at the top of the heap! The seats are the most comfortable I've had in any Audi. The 3 spoke steering wheel is perfect. The acceleration is indescribeable - I'm thinking maybe space shuttle! If you hit the brakes hard, you get a straight stop that feels like you hit the emergency catch net on an aircraft carrier! The Quattro does it's job flawlessly and undetectably. Despite the incredible levels of performance, this car is docile enough that my 76 year old mother could drive it.

acceleration, braking, seat comfort, stealth looks, an exhaust note at idle that works better than a testosterone patch, a cruising exhaust note that's soothing and not loud or crude, 24 mpg if I'm not driving in town. No rattles or squeaks.

other than updating to 2005 A6 amenities like rain- sensing wipers, auto headlights, and DVD nav, I wouldn't change anything at all. And that's saying a lot for me!

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

Audi RS6

Written by: rayon-ion on 10/03/2005


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	9
Comfort:	9	Interior Design:	8	Reliability:	9
Fuel Economy:	4	Exterior Design:	9

A very fast car, marvelous on the highway and fun to drive. Great acceleration between 80 mph and 130 mph. Not as good on a slalom as a BMW 5 series because the forward engine results in a large moment of inertia, but dynamite on those sweeping 120 MPH curves. It has been trouble free. The tires, as on so many performance cars, are not able to take potholes (expensive lesson), but they grip extremely well. For a car with more than 400 lb-ft of torque, the all-wheel drive allows you to drive with surprising ease on icy roads. It gets 25 mpg on the highway at 60 mph but about 15 mph in heavy traffic (i.e., it ain't cheap, with that 93 octane fuel needed by the 10:1 compression ratio).

Terrific acceleration and great brakes. Stiff suspension and steering allow for good sport driving. Corners as if on rails. Yet, it carries four adults comfortably.

Turn signal indicator (holding the cruise controls) is too close to the steering wheel. Storage space is limited.

Traded up

Written by: torved on 09/16/2005


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	8	Exterior Design:	10

The RS6's understated appearance coupled with its generous power makes for an uncomplicated driving experience. It is not often that I find the need to indulge in the full power of this vehicle, but it's satisfying when it is needed.

Solid feel and road performance.

More advanced navigation and communication systems.

So much fun.. so practical..

Written by: NYC driver on 09/02/2004


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	8	Exterior Design:	10

A perfect compromise for my family. Outrageously fun to drive. Enough room in the back for a car seat. I keep looking for excuses to go out an drive the car. Pick-up is great from 0-60. Pick-up when passing (50 - 90) is simply unbelievable. If you get one, you're going to want to live in it (and you could probably buy a small apartment in the mid-west for the same price, so maybe you should). If price is no object and you want a car that is both fun and practical, this is it.

Drives like a dream. I'm knocking off work early today to go drive the Beast. Beautiful interior and subtly powerful exterior.

Better Nav system? A color map might be nice. I don't love the parking sensor for backing up, and wouldn't mind finding a way to disable that.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

2003 Audi RS 6 Consumer Ratings & Reviews